READYand

RELEVANT

Blackjack ProviderCommanding General.......Brig. Gen. Yves J. Fontaine

Command Sergeant Major......Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph R. AllenPublic Affairs Officer.......Capt. Sonise LumbacaMedia Relations Officer....Capt. Craig Christian

Photojournalist.......Spc. Timothy HettichGraphic Illustrator.......Spc. Amy L. Brown

A newsletter printed quarterly by the 1st COSCOM Public Affairs Office. Print or visualsubmissions of general interest to the Blackjack Provider are invited. Email submissionsto coscompao@bragg.army.mil or call 910-396-6523.

Contents of the Blackjack Provider are not necessarily the official views of orendorsed by the U.S. Government, the Dept. of Defense, the Dept. of the Army,Fort Bragg, or the 1st Corps Support Command. The Blackjack Provider is anunofficial publication authorized by AR 360-1. Editorial content is prepared, edited,and provided by the Public Affairs Office of the 1st Corps Support Command.This newsletter follows the AP style guide.

ON THE COVER...

1st COSCOM: The Army’s Only Contingency Support Command

2 Fall 2004

Soldiers committed to winning thewar on terrorism, Photo by Spc.Timothy Hettich, 1st COSCOM PAO

Command Team-The command team dis-cusses the command’s focus.

Chaplain’s Corner-1st COSCOM Chaplain dis-cusses upcoming deployment.

Family ReadinessGroup-FRG demonstrates how theycan help families during de-ployments.

READTandRELEVANT

Warrant Officer’sCorner-Jump pay and how it affectsdeployments.

Commander getshis star-Col. Yves J. Fontaine is pro-moted to brigadier general.

Convoy paintball-HHC, soldiers usepaintball training toprep for delpoyment.

Military pay exclusion-Income Tax Q & A for soldiersdeploying to combat zones.

Armor of life-Deployed 659th MaintenanceCompany Soldiers add armorto their vehicle.

Chaplain anniversaryjump-Airborne operation com-memorates 229 years of theChaplain Corps.

Toy Run-1st COSCOM conducts its an-nual toy run and donates tothree organizations.

Ready to Deploy-1st COSCOM conducts live-fire and predeployment exer-cise.

Post-partum PT-Tough lovemakes Soldierscombat ready.

And more...

And more...

Various photos taken by 1stCOSCOM PAO staff, to in-clude some submissions fromthe 264th Corps Support Bat-talion.

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The Provider The Army’s Only Contingency COSCOM 3

Brig. Gen. Yves J. FontaineCommanding General

Command Sgt. Maj.Joseph R. Allen1st COSCOMWe all know that we willbe deploying shortly toIraq. I have witnessed

all of the effort you haveput into ensuring that ourtroops are combat ready.Continue to focus on thetraining that will aid usdownrange. Pre-combatchecks are a must. Theyare the last step todefense prior to crossingover into enemyterritory.Members of the teamoperating as rearoperations mustunderstand how vital

they are to our mission.You carry the burden ofassisting forward andrear troops. This heavytask does not gounrecognized. We havea strong team in the rearand this contributes toour combat readiness. Part of being combatready also includesprepping your family.Ensuring that you, yoursoldiers and your familymembers are prepared is

vital to a successfuldeployment. Ensure thatyour family engageswith the FRG. The FRGis a support group that isthere for them.And finally, rememberthe warrior spirit that hasbeen instilled into youduring your tenure here.Never quit, never acceptdefeat, teamwork is howwe will win.

FIRST TEAM!

This summer, the 1stCOSCOM has completedmany mission requirements,exercises and variouspreparations to ready oursubordinate units fordeployment. The time hasnow come for much of the 1stCOSCOM to deploy andsupport an Army at war.

I expect to see the samededication, tenacity, andresolve that you display heredaily while we are in Iraq.Deploying to a hostileenvironment is seriousbusiness and we aredeploying to do our part toensure that the newly liberatedIraq stays that way.

Since notification, we havetrained continuously onconvoy live-fire exercises andvarious small arms and crew-served ranges. We havescheduled and completedother training such as combatlife saver, advancedmarksmanship, LINEStraining and others that will

instill the skill and confidencethat I know each Soldier willneed to succeed in the mission.

We have been issuedmany items of individualequipment that in the pasthave not been available tocombat service support units.

We have come a long waysince the day we were notifiedthat we would be headed toIraq. I have seen all of thepreparation, coordination, andtraining that you have done.Good Job! I am confident inyour ability to complete yourassigned mission.

While in Iraq, you will beambassadors of the UnitedStates and its military. Youmust also be good stewardsof democracy, and do whatis right. Never lose focus onwhy you are there and remainsteadfast.

Many of us will be takingblock leave soon. Use thisopportunity to spend timewith your family and to takecare of any last minute

personal things that areoutstanding. Take the time toremind your families of whyyou are deploying and itsimportance. In doing all ofthis you are setting your familyup for success and ensuringthat they are “combat ready”.

We have a great FamilyReadiness Group program inplace where family memberswill have the opportunity tosee how their loved ones aredoing. We will have awebsite and a monthlynewsletter available. Our reardetachment units will beavailable to aid familymembers with any issues orconcerns that they may have.Don’t leave your families inthe dark; ensure that they haveaccess to this information. TheFRG will be your family’ssupport system while you aredeployed.

For those of you notdeploying, the mission youhave is extremely important.Rear detachments willcontinue to provide support tomany Fort Bragg units that are

not deploying. They willensure that our deploying unitsare properly prepared for whatlies ahead. Other units will bepreparing themselves foradditional deployments in themonths ahead. I am confidentthat our units remaining at FortBragg are capable ofperforming the missionassigned to them.

I am proud to be part of1st COSCOM “FirstTeam” and all thepreparation that have beenmade in the past quarter. Weare ready for what lies ahead,so let’s get to it!

ATW, FIRST TEAM!

Letter from the command

4 Fall 2004

Commanding general gets his starBy Capt. Sonise Lumbaca, 1st COSCOM PAO

Yves J. Fontaine, middle, commander 1st CorpsSupport Command, receives general Officer starsfrom his wife Kathleen, and Lt. Gen. John R. Vines,commander XVIII Airborne Corps, during a promo-tion ceremony August 4 at the 1st COSCOM me-morial site. Photo by Spc. Timothy Hettich, 1stCOSCOM PAO.

The 1st Corps SupportCommand officer in charge hasbeen flagged.

Col. Yves J. Fontaine,commander 1st Corps SupportCommand, was promoted tobrigadier general by Lt. Gen.John R. Vines, commanderXVIII Airborne Corps and FortBragg, August 4 at the 1stCOSCOM Memorial Site.

“It is a great day for theFontaine family. It confirmswhat all we knew, that he(Fontaine) is a great Soldier, agreat leader and one of highmorale principle,” said Vines.

Fontaine took command of theover 5,000 strong COSCOM July18, 2003 after arriving from U.S.Army Special OperationsCommand where he served as thechief of staff from December2001 to July 2003.

Fontaine was born in Lalouviere, Belgium in 1952. Hecame to the United States tostudy in 1971 and obtained hisU.S. naturalization in 1973 whileattending Valley Forge MilitaryJunior College.

He graduated from La SalleUniversity and wascommissioned as a secondlieutenant in the Ordnance Corps.Since then, he has worked in avariety of logistical and combatarms units and has deployedduring Operations Desert Stormand Desert Shield.

“Fontaine has made anindelible mark not only on theArmy but also on Fort Bragg,

because he hasthe focus andorganization onbeing ready thatperhaps is thek e yorganization inthe XVIIIA i r b o r n eCorps, and thatis the 1st CorpsS u p p o r tC o m m a n d , ”said Vines.

“If 1stC O S C O Mfails, XVIIIAirborne Corpswill fail andXVIII Airborne Corps is inmany cases carrying the maineffort of the Army. They willbe doing that in Iraq next year,”Vines said.

In the fall over 2,000 soldiersfrom the 1st COSCOM willdeploy to Iraq to providelogistical support to a variety ofunits already deployed andpreparing to deploy. 1stCOSCOM’s is the Army’s onlycontingency support commandthat provides support to theXVIII Airborne Corps anywhereworldwide. In the past year, 1stCOSCOM provided logisticalsupport to conflicts inAfghanistan, Uzbekistan, andIraq.

“It is an honor to have aproven airborne leader andwarrior promote me to thisrank,” said Fontaine.

“I am truly humbled today,because as we all know, one doesnot succeed in any leadershipposition by himself. We all gethelp from a lot of people in andout of the military, active andretired and particularly at FortBragg from the surroundingcommunity of Fayetteville,Spring Lake, and Hope Mills,”Fontaine said.

Following Brig. Gen. Yves J.Fontaine’s promotion, attendeeshad the opportunity to celebratewith him. Photo by Spc. TimothyHettich, 1st COSCOM PAO.

The Provider 5

Many Fort Bragg unit havetaken what used to be just arecreational activity and turned itinto a high speed Soldier trainingtool.

Paintball training, on themorning of September 9, byHeadquarters and HeadquartersCompany, 1st Corps SupportCommand, was just one step inthe preparation process for theirupcoming deployment. TheseSoldiers used paintball equipmentto practice convoy live firescenarios before actually going to

without hesitation, should one oftheir buddies be hitby enemy fire,” saidDeboe.

Staff Sgt.Norman Creek Jr.,acting convoycommander duringthe paintballtraining, HHC, 1stC O S C O M ,commented on howunconventional thetraining is, while atthe same time, itbeing a good tool tosimulate theconventional wayof training.

Soldiers, from1st COSCOM, haveused the MultipleIntegrated Laser EngagementSystems (MILES gear) in thepast. The MILES gear is a systemworn by Soldiers, which usessensors that are transmitted to adevice attached to the muzzle ofthe weapon. If another’s laser hitsa Soldier, a sound will come fromtheir gear letting them know theyhave been hit. Using paintballguns gives the training a morephysical aspect.

“The MILESgear only makes asound when you gethit,” Creek Said.“When you get hitby a paintball youfeel the sting, and itlets you know youwere hit bothphysically andvisually, because ofthe paint.”

Paintball aids in convoy live-fire trainingBy Spc. Mary R. XenikakisHHC, 1st COSCOM

A Soldier from theTroop Support Battalion takescover behind a tree as opposing forces fire paintballrounds at him during the HHC, 1st COSCOM train-ing held Sept. 9 at the Smith Lake paintball facility.Photo by Capt. Sonise Lumbaca, 1st COSCOM PAO.

HHC, 1st COSCOM Soldiers conduct convoydrills at the Smith Lake paintball facility Sept.9. Photo by Capt. Sonise Lumbaca, 1stCOSCOM PAO.

Combat life savers practice firstaid during the HHC, 1st COSCOMpaintball training at Smith Lake.Photo by Capt. Sonise Lumbaca,1st COSCOM PAO.

The Army’s Only Contingency COSCOM

a live fire range, using realammunition.

“When you go to war there isno bang bang, shoot shoot,” saidSgt. Franchasca Deboe, non-commissioned officer in charge oftraining, HHC, 1st COSCOM.She added, that this type ofrealistic training prepares them bysimulating the feeling of actuallybeing fired upon and its affects.

Soldiers participating in theexercise ranged from medics toadministration personnel. “Wewant our team to be able to react

This is good training by anystandard, said Spc. DamianQuiles, a lithographer for HHC,

1st COSCOM. “Training like thiswill build more confidence beforethe deployment.”

Paintball training was thewalking stages in the convoy livefire training. These Soldiers willbe spending three days at the livefire range on Fort Bragg in theupcoming weeks to complete theirtraining before deployment.

6 Fall 2004

Military Pay Exclusion: Combat Zone Service

Q-1: I am a member of the U.S. Armed Forcesperforming services in a combat zone. Is any partof my military pay for serving in this areaexcluded from gross income?

A-1: Yes, if you serve in a combat zone as an enlistedperson or as a warrant officer (includingcommissioned warrant officers) for any part of amonth, all your military pay received for militaryservice that month is excluded from gross income.For commissioned officers, the monthly exclusionis capped at the highest enlisted pay, plus any hostilefire or imminent danger pay received. For 2002,the most an officer could earn tax-free each monthwas $5,532.90 ($5,382.90, the highest monthlyenlisted pay, plus $150 hostile fire or imminentdanger pay). The Emergency Wartime SupplementalAppropriations Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-11) raised theimminent danger pay to $225 per month throughSeptember 2003. The 2004 National DefenseAuthorization Act extended this higher rate throughDecember 2004. For 2003, the monthly combat payexclusion for officers totals $5,957.70. For 2004, ittotals $6,315.90. Amounts excluded from grossincome are not subject to federal income tax.

Q-2: My husband and I are both enlistedpersonnel serving in the U.S. Armed Forcesin the combat zone. Are we each entitled tothe income tax exclusion for military pay?

A-2: Yes, each of you qualifies for the income taxexclusion for your respective military pay.

Q-3: I am a member of the U.S. Armed Forcesstationed on a ship outside any combat zone. Ifly missions over a combat zone as part of themilitary operations in that combat zone. Is anypart of my military pay excluded from grossincome?

A-3: Yes. The combat zone includes the airspaceover it, so you are serving in the combat zone. SeeQ&A-2 above for a discussion of the amount of yourmilitary pay that is excluded.

Q-4: If I am injured and hospitalized whileserving in the U.S. Armed Forces in a combatzone, is any of my military pay excluded fromgross income?

A-4: Yes. Military pay received by enlistedpersonnel who are hospitalized as a result of injuriessustained while serving in a combat zone is excludedfrom gross income for the period of hospitalization,subject to the 2-year limitation provided below.Commissioned officers have a similar exclusion,limited to the maximum enlisted pay amount permonth. (See Q&A-2 above.) These exclusions fromgross income for hospitalized enlisted personnel andcommissioned officers end 2 years after the date oftermination of the combat zone.Q-5: My wife is currently serving in the U.S.Armed Forces in a combat zone and will beeligible for discharge when she returns home.If she is discharged upon her return, will thepayment for the annual leave that she accruedduring her service in the combat zone beexcluded from gross income?

A-5: Yes. Annual leave payments to enlistedmembers of the U.S. Armed Forces upon dischargefrom service are excluded from gross income to theextent the annual leave was accrued during anymonth in any part of which the member served in acombat zone. If your wife is a commissioned officer,a portion of the annual leave payment she receivesfor leave accrued during any month in any part ofwhich she served in a combat zone may be excluded.The annual leave payment is not excludable to theextent it exceeds the maximum enlisted pay amount(see Q&A-2 above) for the month of service towhich it relates less the amount of military payalready excluded for that month.Q-6: I am an enlisted person serving in a combatzone. If I reenlist early while I am in the combatzone and receive my reenlistment bonus severalmonths later when I am stationed outside the

By www.irs.gov

See IRS, page 9

The Provider 7

507th Corps Support Group test theirstrengths and fears at Pre-Ranger CourseStory and photo by Spc. Amy L. Brown, 1st COSCOM PAO

“No matter which battalionyou come from, which rankyou wear on your collar-when you have a mission,teams need to cometogether.”--Capt. Josielyn Carrasquillo, 507th CSG

Seventy-five Soldiers were poised and readyto roll out at the start line of the Pre-Rangerobstacle course. The Soldiers were ready totake on whatever was about to come their way,however these Soldiers were not pre-rangercandidates. These Soldiers were logisticians.

Soldiers from the 507th Corps SupportGroup, 1st Corps Support Command, ranthrough the 82nd Airborne Division Pre-Ranger Obstacle Course July 8. The trainingwas open to all officers and senior non-

commissioned officers in the unit.The Pre-Ranger Course is designed to

prepare Fort Bragg Soldiers’ for RangerSchool at Ft. Benning, Ga. The obstaclecourse is usually the culmination of thirteendays of training said 1st Sgt. Donald Walton,

82nd Airborne Division, Pre-Ranger Battalion.“Any unit can schedule this obstacle course,

but very few take advantage of theopportunity. I think this is something that alot more units should do,” said Walton.

Walton says that the obstacle coursechallenges each Soldier to do his part, as wellas trust their buddies to do the same.

There were many obstacles for the Soldiersto overcome, individually and as a team.Obstacles such as cargo net climb, rope bridgecross, and the threet ier tower c l imbwere a few

See Obstacles,page 9

A Soldier from the 507th Corps Support Group ne-gotiates a water and rope obstacle at the 82nd Air-borne Division Pre-Ranger Course July 8. Ob-stacles at this course tested teamwork and indi-vidual fear of water and heights.

A Soldier from the507th Corps SupportGroup negotiates the“monkey bars”, aheight and strengthobstacle, at the 82ndAirborne Division Pre-Ranger Course July 8.

The Army’s Only Contingency COSCOM

8 Fall 2004

Chaplains host airborne operations tocelebrate 229th birthday anniversaryBy Timothy Hettich, 1st COSCOM PAO

As the sunstreamed downfrom the sky and alight breezemeandered overthe drop zone, thesound of an aircraftcould be heard inthe distance. As itflew overheadjumpers exited itsdoors one at a timeand slowlydescended towardsthe earth on theblessed day thatwas the 229thanniversary of theChaplains Corps.

T h ecommemorativejump followed by an anniversary luncheon tookplace July 21 at Sicily drop zone and was hostedby the 1st Corps Support Command’s Unit MinistryTeam. Heading up the event was the 1st COSCOMchaplain Col. Charles Reese, officer in charge ofair operations assisted by non-commissionedofficer in charge Sgt. 1st Class Keith Davis,Headquarters and Headquarters company, 1stCorps Support Command.

“The day was a team effort all the way around,”said Reese. “To get something done requires adedicated team of horses pulling the samedirection, but you have to have one strong leadhorse – that was Sgt. 1st Class Davis.”

Although the Chaplains Corps was officiallyformed on 29 July (1775), the occasion wascelebrated early due to ongoing missions.

The legal origin of the Chaplains is found in aresolution of the Continental Congress, adopted

July 29, 1775, which made provision for the payof chaplains. The National Defense Act of 1920

created the officeof the Chief ofChaplains.

The invitationwas extendedpost wide top a r a t r o o p e r sfrom units allover Fort Braggand familymembers wereinvited to watchand join in tocelebrate the day.

Soldiers fromunits such as 1stCOSCOM, 35thSignal Brigadeand 7th SpecialForces Group not

only jumped but also supported the operation. “Wewere able to jump 263 paratroopers from across55 units at Ft. Bragg,” said Reese.

Although numerous Chaplains jumps are heldyear round at a unit level, a post wide Chaplainsjump occurs only once a year, said chaplain Maj.Ed Ahl, deputy chaplain, 1st COSCOM andground commander for the jump.

“It’s a great way torecognize the uniquenature of the ministry in theairborne community.”

- Col. (CH) Charles D. Reese, 1stCOSCOM Chaplain

A paratrooper exits the rear of a Casa 210 aircraft over SicilyDrop Zone July 21 during an airborne operation conducted tocommemorate the Chaplain Corps 229th birthday. Over 200Soldiers throughout the major commands of Fort Bragg par-ticipated. Photo by Capt. Sonise Lumbaca, 1st COSCOM PAO

See Airborne, page 21

The Provider 9

combat zone, is any part of my reenlistmentbonus excluded from gross income?

A-6: Yes. The reenlistment bonus is excluded fromgross income although received in a month that youwere outside the combat zone, because youcompleted the necessary action for entitlement tothe reenlistment bonus in a month during which youserved in the combat zone.

Q-7: My brother, who is a civilian in the merchantmarine, is on a ship that transports militarysupplies between the United States and thecombat zone. Is he entitled to the combat zonemilitary pay exclusion?

A-7: No. Those serving in the merchant marine arenot members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The combatzone military pay exclusion applies only to membersof the U.S. Armed Forces. Neither federal civilianemployees nor civilian defense contractors deployedwith U.S. forces qualify for an exclusion of incomeearned while working in a combat zone or qualified

For more details see Publication 3, Armed Forces’Tax Guide from the IRS website.

hazardous duty area. They may, however, qualifyfor an extension of deadlines to file and pay taxes.The U.S. Armed Forces include all regular andreserve components of the uniformed services thatare under the control of the Secretaries of Defense,Army, Navy, and Air Force, and the Secretary ofHomeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard.

Q-8: My husband is a member of the U.S. ArmedForces performing services related to a combatoperation but he is not in the combat zone and heis not receiving hostile fire/imminent danger pay.Is he entitled to the military pay exclusion?

A-8: No. U.S. Armed Forces personnel servingoutside the combat zone are not entitled to themilitary pay exclusion unless they are serving indirect support of military operations in the combatzone for which they receive hostile fire/imminentdanger pay. The Department of Defense certifiesareas that meet these requirements.

IRS from page 6

obstacles that these Soldiers had to test theirfear of height and water against.

The obstacles are designed to challengeeach participant and foster teamwork. Someobstacles such as the rope bridge forceparticipants to face the fear of heights, somelike the “monkey bars” test physical strength.Other obstacles enforce teamwork becausethey cannot be negotiated alone withoutjeopardize safety.

“The obstacle course was a positive thing,”said Capt. Josielyn Carrasquillo, S-1 Officer InCharge, 530th Supply and Service Battalion.

“No matter which battalion you come from,which rank you wear on your collar,when youhave a mission, teams need to come together,”said Carrasquillo.

“Our group is going to support OperationIraqi Freedom and this kind of event helpseach member of the 507th CSG to work as ateam; challenge confidence and the decisionmaking process,” said Carrsaquillo.

Obstacles from page 7

The Army’s Only Contingency COSCOM

“Theo f f i c e r sand seniorn o n -commissionedo f f i c e r se n j o y e dgett ing achance tom e e ts o l d i e r sfrom otherunits,” saidSgt. Maj.P e g g yCollazo, S-3 Sgt.M a j . ,507th CSG.O v e r a l l ,the groupwas glad to have the opportunity for a changeof pace in the training environment, said Collazo.

Three Soldiers from the 507thCSG work together to negotiatean obstacle July 8 at the 82nd Air-borne Pre-Ranger Ostacle Course.Photo by Spc. Amy Brown, 1stCOSCOM PAO.

Fall 2004

In a continuing effort to provide world classlogistical support, maintain and gain technical andtactical proficiency, Soldiers from Headquartersand Headquarters Company, 1st Corps SupportCommand completed a two-weeklong convoy live-fire exercise September 12 to 22 at range 63.

This exercise was one of the many exercises that1st COSCOM Soldiers have conducted inpreparation for their upcoming deployment to Iraq.

Lt. Col. Anita M. Raines, senior observercontroller for the CLFX, 46th Corps Support Group,said that the premiere training event wascommanding general’s, Brig. Gen. Yves J. Fontaine,1st Corps Support Command, desire “to properlytrain up all headquarters element in 1st COSCOMfor their mission in Operation Iraqi Freedom,particularly focusing on convoy training.”

Prior to the September exercise, Soldiers from1st COSCOM participated in a number of CLFX’sto familiarize themselves with the training.

During these earlier exercises, Soldiers weretrained to pull perimeter security, react to ImprovisedExplosive Devices, and recover casualties and

equipment, all while maintaining effectivecommunication.

When the Soldiers displayed their proficiencyin conducting the exercises, the Septemberculmination exercise was scheduled.

During this culmination exercise, tasks wereadded and scenarios became increasingly difficult.

When asked about the effects of the addedpressures of time constraints and verbal coaxingby the OCs, Capt. Brian A. Eli, convoy commander,Corps Distribution Command, sited the Army’scrawl, walk and run philosophy as the training toolthat made his unit successful.

“The training was very methodical, there was alot of talk and thought in the beginning, “ said Eli.“Gradually, as we gained experience, we increasedpressure on ourselves.”

Additional tasks included reacting to contactfrom the driver or truck commander side of thevehicles, driver and TC communication while

Ready to deploy1st COSCOM conducts live-fireexerciseBy Spc. Amy L. Brown, 1st COSCOM PAO

10

1st COSCOM Soldiers firing live rounds while onthe back of a tactical vehicle during their convoylive-fire exercise held September 12 to 22 at range63. Photo by Capt. Sonise Lumbaca, 1st COSCOMPAO

1st COSCOM Soldiers receive instructions on theAK-47, a foreign weapon system used by insur-gents in Iraq, during their convoy live-fire exerciseheld September 12 to 22 at range 63. Photo byCapt. Craig Christian, HHC, 1st COSCOM

The Provider 11

under fire, and mounting and dismounting vehiclesunder fire while maintaining perimeter security.

“It was good to train like this because not onlydid I get to fire my weapon, but working with otherpeople and watching everything come togetherboosted my confidence,” said Pfc. Amber Caridad,a driver during the live-fire exercise, CDC. Sheadded that the training also gave her experienceand the ability to handle all of the stress thatwill come with the mission in Iraq.

Combat Life Savers also had theopportunity to practice their skills duringsimulated casualty scenarios. CLSadministered first aid and gave intravenousfluids to “casualties” while observercontrollers evaluated them. Some Soldiersvolunteered to receive multiple IVs in orderto help the CLSs become proficient in theirtasks.

A number of weapon familiarization classeswere also conducted.

Soldiers were able to familiarize themselveswith enemy weapon systems such as the AK-47 and the rocket propelled grenade launcher.

During this familiarization training, Soldiersof the 1st COSCOM had the opportunity todisassemble and assemble each weapon and

also learn how to fire them. Other weapons trainingincluded U.S. weapon systems such as the M249light machine gun, M203 grenade launcher, andthe 50 caliber crew served weapon, to name a few.

“The purpose of familiarizing all of the Soldierswith these weapons is to ensure that during a worsecase scenario, if someone gets injured or worse,their buddy, who is well trained on the system isable to take over and fire that weapon,” said Capt.Christopher D. Lange, Range Officer in Chargefor the CLFX, 530th Supply and Service Battalion.

The Soldiers also conducted refresher trainingon radio communications, Precision LightweightGlobal Positioning Device Receiver, and utilizationof the Movement Tracking System; a messagingand vehicle-tracking device that mounts to tacticalvehicles.

Raines said that the feedback that she was givenfrom the Soldiers is that they appreciate the amountof realism that Fort Bragg can offer in aiding unitswith their exercises and the careful planning thatwas put into CLFX.

“Soldiers certainly, pending deployment,understand the urgency and the need to get this rightprior to exposure in the theatre,” she said.

The 1st COSCOM is scheduled to deploy to Iraqthis fall in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

1st Sgt. Brian C. Veney, first sergeant,Headqaurters, CDC, is interviewed by a publicaffairs Soldier from the 1st COSCOM PAO, dur-ing the 1st COSCOM live-fire exercise held Sep-tember 12 to 22 at range 63. 1st COSCOM Sol-diers particpiated in an array of realistic trainingto include media training. Photo by Capt. SoniseLumbaca, 1st COSCOM PAO

A 1st COSCOM combat life saver provides intravenusfluid to a “casualty”, while another Soldier providessupport duirng their live-fire exercise held September12 to 22 at range 63. During the training CLS were evalu-ated on giving IVs and first aid. Photo by Capt. SoniseLumbaca, 1st COSCOM PAO

The Army’s Only Contingency COSCOM

1612 Fall 2004

(Above) Cooks from Charlie Company, TroopSupport Battalion conduct an after action re-view afterparticipating in the large GarrisonPhilip A. Connelly Competiton. (Right) Soldiersfrom HHC, 1st COSCOM receive their DesertCamouflage Uniform packet prior to deploy-ing. (Below) Soldiers from the 264th CorpsSupport Battalion while deployed to Iraq.

1st COSCOM Soldiers particpating in the MayFort Bragg Corps Warfighter Exercise.

Soldiers from HHC, 1st COSCOM conduct squad tacticsduring sergeant’s time training at Area Echo, Fort Bragg.

The Provider 13

(Above) A jump master gives a paratrooper the “GO”tap after completing a Jump Master Personnel Inspec-tion at the 507th CSG Airborne Operation held in June.(Below) children playing on an static display of anHMMWV at the 46th CSG Family Readiness Grouppredeployment brief held August.

(Above) A rigger form the 623rdQuartermaster Company repairs aparachute. (Right) a Soldier from theTroop Support Battalion fires a 50caliber machine gun during arange. (Below) Lt. Col. JamesWoodard, commander, 530th S&SBattalion conduct an interview withvarious news agencies during aconvoy live-fire exercise.

(Above) Various Soldiers from 1st COSCOMenjoying the festive enviroment at the annual1st COSCOM Formal held in August at the FortBragg Officer Club.

The Army’s Only Contingency COSCOM

14 Fall 2004

Dignity, reverence and respect

Soldiers from the 1st CorpsSupport Command attended aMortuary Affairs OfficersCourse here September 27through October 8.

Nine officers from 46thCorps Support Group, 1st CorpSupport Command, a staffsergeant from the CorpsDistribution Center, and aMarine from Marietta, Ga.attended the two-week jointservice course in order to becertified in mortuary affairoperations.

The class, usually heldtwice a year at the Training andDoctrine Command, Fort Lee,Va. was taken on the road forthe first time ever to provideofficers with the opportunity togain the Mortuary Affairsadditional skills identifier of4V.

The additional skills areadded to the duties of theprimary military occupationalspecialty. Enlisted soldiersmay attend the class formortuary affairs knowledge;however the 4V ASI isreserved for officers said Capt.Kelly Dobert course instructorand doctrine writer, from FortLee, Va.

The 4V qualif icationprovides a basic knowledge ofMortuary Affairs planning andexecution. The course isdesigned to train officers on

the doctrine and procedures forplanning, collection, andtransportat ion of fal lencomrades.

“Second to doing everythingwithin our power to keep aSoldier alive the next greatestthing is doing everything youcan for the family,” said Capt.Strohm, Support Operations,46th CSG.

Earning this identifier andhaving the skills to performthis function for a solider thatgave the ultimate sacrifice forour country brings a sense ofhonor, said Strohm.

Approximately 280quartermaster officers Armywide carry the additional skillidentifier for mortuary affairs.Although the unit and dutyposition that an officer fillsmay call for the 4V ASI,qualification is not granteduntil officers attend the two-week course, said Dobert.

Although this is the firsttime the course has gone on theroad, Dobert said she would beopen to coordinate moreopportunities for qualificationthrough mobile training teams.

Mortuary affairs planning isnot something that acommander or any Soldierwants to think about, but it issomething that is veryimportant, said Dobert.

By Spc. Amy L. Brown, 1st COSCOM PAO

The Mortuary AffairsOfficer Course takes the mythand mystery out of the tasksinvolved with the collectionand preparation of remains.“The more knowledge youhave the better off you are,”says Dobert.

Marine Warrant OfficerRoger Causey, embarkationofficer, Headquarters andService Battalion, 4th ServiceSupport Group was also inattendance for the joint serviceclass. Causey’s unit ispreparing to perform themortuary affairs function forthe Marine Corps.

“What this course has donefor me is to help me understandwhere the doctrine formortuary affairs came frombecause the Army basicallycreated the doctrine, ” saidCausey.

“Now when I go back to mycommand to create ourdoctrine I wil l be able toclosely mirror the Army so thatwe can be on the same pagewhether in country or out,”said Causey.

Although mortuary affairs isan unpleasant part of war,training l ike this courseprepares Soldiers to handle thefinal needs of a fallen comradeand their families with the bestpossible care they deserve.

COSCOM Soldiers conduct Mortuary Affairs training

The Provider

A r m o r o f l i f eMaintenance company assists civilian con-tractors with armor plating their vehicles

KUWAIT-The Logistics TaskForce 264th (Airborne) answeredAmerica’s call and deployed toIraq in support of Operation IraqiFreedom. LTF 264, also a 1stCorps Support Command corpssupport battalion, spent almost amonth in Kuwait preparing for theconvoy that would bring them totheir final destination, the CampVictory Annex, Baghdad, Iraq.

There are many threats facingour service men and women includeimprovised explosive devices(IEDs), rocket propelled grenades(RPGs), and small arms fire duringconvoys. The Army’s response wasto “up-armor” its vehicles.

Up-Armoring, or hardening,means to literally bolt on or weldamour plates to the doors and othervulnerable area on the vehicles.

To accomplish this, the Armyhired a civilian company toprofessionally install armor on itsvehicles both in Kuwait and Iraq.The contractors used steelspecifically hardened to stop smallarms fire. Soldiers from LTF 264also assisted with the up-armoring,whic included adding bulletproofglass.

Along with the installation, thecivilian company provided trainingon installing the armor plating andinstalling and repairing vehicle airconditioning systems.

For vehicles that did not havethe bolt on armor professionally

installed, the 659th MaintenanceCompany welded armor on to thevehicles that were to travel acrossthe border into Iraq.

The 659th MaintenanceCompany cut the steel to fit intothe doors of the Light MediumTactical Vehicle (LMTV) trucks.The welders made a template ofthe inside of the LMTV and usedit to cut each door to the properspecifications.

“Although the steel does not cutwell, it is easy to attach to vehiclesand other areas that need additionalprotection from small arms fire,”said Pfc. Gregory Dow, Welder,659th Maintenance Company.

In order to place the platinginside the window frame, themaintenance company removedthe glass from the inside of thedoors. This method was used toharden the door and to provideprotection for the driver as well asthe assistant driver.

The company’s Service andE v a c u a t i o nsection beganacquiring andwelding the metalto the outerportions of theLTF vehicles.

After initiallyworking during theday, the company’swelders found thatit would be morepractical to weldand cut at night.

This was due to the soaringtemperature of 120 degrees duringthe daytime. As a result, theybegan to work on the vehicles aftersundown, which meant that theywould start work around 6 p.m. andend work early next morning.

After two weeks of working onthe vehicles, the task was finallycompleted. The units began theirtravel to the north.

In many cases, such as smallarms exchanges, the up-armorhelped to protect Soldiers byabsorbing or deflecting the round.In other situations, the up-armoralso assisted protection from IEDsby catching or deflecting shrapnel,which could cause harm toSoldiers inside the vehicle.

Overall, the up-armor processsaves lives. This, in turn, gives theSoldiers more confidence in theirequipment. They also understoodthat it would work and that theircommanders have their safety andwelfare in mind.

“It is very satisfying after seeingthe finished product on thevehicles,” said Warrant OfficerDavid Cheshire, Service &Evacuation Section Shop Tech,659th Maintenance Company.

By 2nd. Lt. Clay Whitman659th Maintenance Company

A HMMWV after being up-armored with armor plat-ing by members of the 659th Maintenance Com-pany in Kuwait Aug. 12. Photo by unknown.

15The Army’s Only Contingency COSCOM

Fall 200416

The Family Readiness Group

When Soldiers are scheduled todeploy, there are manyconsiderations that have to betaken into account. One of thebiggest things is ensuring thattheir family members have accessto the variety of theprogram made available toassist them with medical,financial, and other qualityof life concerns. Ensuringthat these concerns areaddressed helps the Soldierand his or her familybecome “combat ready”.

According to the ArmyCommunity Service website, a Family ReadinessGroup is, “An organizationof family members,volunteers, and Soldiersbelonging to a unit thattogether provide an avenueof mutual support, assistance, anda network of communicationamong the family members, thechain of command, andcommunity resources.”

A deploying command isserious business and ensuring thatfamilies have a resource to reachout to while their loved ones aredeployed is next to none.

1st Corps Support Commandhas taken this program and put afriendly face on it. April Thornalis the FRG coordinator for the 1stCOSCOM.

Her office is located next to the1st COSCOM Army CommunityService satellite office at theretention center at the corner ofGruber Road and Logistics Street.

There are a number of thingsthat the FRG can do for the familyof service members. FRGs canreduce social isolation amongspouses and family members,especially for those who are newto the area. Being a part of thegroup can give a family member

a feeling of belonging, self-reliance (while their servicemember is away), and selfesteem. Family includes spouses,parents of the service members,children and those who aredependent on the service member.

The group also has thecapability to give familymembers contact information tohelp resolve problems that theymay be having or provide a pointof contact with personalizedsupport depending on thesituation.

The command tries toencourage every spouse tobecome an active member of theFRG so that they may receivehelp should they need it, or help

those that may require theirassistance. In participating in theFRG, members can gainknowledge from experience ofthose who are avid participants inthe FRG.

Thornal is the bridge to unitsand their family readiness groups.

She had the capability tohelp units and FRGs planfunctions and events. Shealso can help units withgetting families energizedabout joining.

The best thing to gainfrom being a member of thegroup is the fun a familymember can have with themany activities and eventsnormally scheduled by thegroups.

There are also manyinternet sites that familymembers can go to in orderto obtain information about

the agencies that are available forthem. These sites includeinformation on TRICARE, ArmyEmergency Relief and AmericanRed Cross, to name a few.

While deployed to Iraq, the 1stCOSCOM FRG will have amonthly newsletter and a websitewhere family members willreceive up to date information ontheir deployed service member.Other services that the commandplans to have in operation is amonthly video teleconferencingwhere family will have theopportunity to see and talk to theirloved ones.

The 1st COSCOM FRGcoordinator can be reached at 396-6198.

By Capt. Sonise Lumbaca1st COSCOM PAO

The Provider 17

From theMule’s MouthDown Range

“I like the environment. People are niceand everything I need is here (Internet,phone, etc).”

-Pvt. Jennifer Seeman, 259th FieldService Company

“Our laundry returns items in two daysand the 24 hour Internet Café helps uskeep in touch with families for free.”

What do you most like aboutliving/ working in Iraq?

-Pfc. Clayton Kloehn, HHD, 264thCorps Supoprt Battalion

“I like the fact that we live in a building withair conditioning and we actually haveshowers and toilets that flush. It’s muchbetter than what I experienced when Icame out here last year.”-Spc. Simione Watson, HHD, 264thCorps Supoprt Battalion

Chaplain’s Corner

As the day quickly approachesfor the COSCOM to deploy, Iwould like to give you theprescription for success accordingto the Bible.

In the book of Joshua chapter 1,verses 5 through 8, (New LivingTranslation) the Bible declares:“5 No one will be able to stand theirground against you as long as youlive. For I will be with you as I waswith Moses. I will not fail you orabandon you. 6 ”Be strong andcourageous, for you will lead mypeople to possess all the land Iswore to give their ancestors. 7 Bestrong and very courageous. Obeyall the laws Moses gave you. Donot turn away from them, and youwill be successful in everythingyou do. 8 Study this Book of theLaw continually. Meditate on itday and night so you may be sureto obey all that is written in it. Onlythen will you succeed. 9 Icommand you—be strong andcourageous! Do not be afraid ordiscouraged. For the LORD yourGod is with you wherever you go.”

This passage of scripture clearlyreveals that the key to success inall that we do rest with ourobedience to the word of God. The

Biblical Prescription For SuccessLord God declares that He willnever leave us, nor forsake us. Hislove for us is unconditional.However, He has commanded usto be obedient to His word.Throughout the Word of God thereis a call for obedience. God desiresour obedience more than our titheand offerings. For he declares in 1Samuel 15:22-23, “What is morepleasing to the LORD: your burntofferings and sacrifices or yourobedience to his voice? Obedienceis far better than sacrifice.Listening to him is much betterthan offering the fat of rams.23 Rebellion is as bad as the sin ofwitchcraft, and stubbornness is asbad as worshiping idols.”

Let this thought rest in yourhearts and your mind as you travelto far away places. There is nosubstitute for obedience to God.Obedience secures the presencesand protection of God, and unlocksthe door to success. Throughobedience we become “more thanconquerors” (Romans 8:37). Inaddition to that, the Word declaresin Isaiah 54:17 (NLT); “no weaponturned against you will succeed.”

To the soldiers of the mighty 1st

COSCOM, I encourage each ofyou to take the Word of God withyou. Meditate on His word eachand every day. Never let it departfrom you. In the midst of tryingsituations, stand firm on the Word.Keep your faith in the AlmightyGod who, “By his mighty powerat work within us, is able toaccomplish infinitely more thanwe would ever dare to ask orhope.” Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

CH (Lt. Col.) Timothy A. Lance,Assistant Chaplain, 1st COSCOM

The Army’s Only Contingency COSCOM

Fall 200418

BlackJack dining facilityserves it up multicultural styleBy Spc. Mary R. Xenikakis, HHC, 1st COSCOM

The 1st Corps SupportCommand’s Blackjack DiningFacility has more to offer than thetypical food aSoldier mayfind at otherd i n i n gf a c i l i t i e st h r o u g h o u tthe Army. TheB l a c k j a c kcooks offermulticulturalfood in ar e l a x i n genvironment.

Blackjackcooks takepride in being able to serve avariety of cultural dishes. Theystir up meals ranging from Italianto Mongolian. Occasionally, theywill dedicate a day to a special

event, like September’s HispanicHeritage Month. September 30,they will present displays of the

Hispanicc u l t u r eand offerauthenticdishes.

“We geta greatresponsefrom ourpatrons,”said Spc.T a m a r aJ o n e s ,BlackjackD F A C

food service specialist. “ I thinkthey enjoy knowing what they’regoing to get each week.”

Tuesdays and Thursdays arethe busiest days, Jones said. “My

favorite day is Tuesday. We servesoul food that day. Food likebarbecue ribs, macaroni andcheese, collard greens, southernfried catfish and much more.”

The Blackjack Dining Facilityis the only DFAC on the 1stCOSCOM side of post, but justbecause it is the only one doesn’tmean that it isn’t the best. TheBlackjack DFAC has becomeone of the best in the Army.“Other dining facilities fromaround Fort Bragg visitBlackjack DFAC to comparewhat they’re doing to what we’redoing,” said Sgt. 1st Class ClaraGloeckler, Blackjack DFACadministration non-commissioned officer.

She said they also get manySoldiers from outside the 1stCOSCOM area, because of all ofthe options they can choose fromincluding their multinationalmenu. “We offer fresh bakedbread, pasta bar, potato bar, taco

A Soldier from the 44th Medical Brigadesamples a dessert from the Hispanic cul-tural menu at the 1st COSCOMBlackJack dining facility. The DFAC pre-pared an array of dishes September2004.

Warrant Officers’ Cornerby Chief Warrant OfficerJoseph L. JimenezG3 Air, HHC, 1st COSCOM

As the Soldiers of the 1st Corps Support Commandprepare for deployment to Iraq, they are participatingin mandatory training, convoy live-fire exercises,ranges, and combat life saver courses just to name afew.

There is an additional training requirement that aselect group of deploying Soldiers will attend. A pre-deployment airborne operation. Airborne Soldiers ofthe 1st COSCOM will make one last parachute jumpprior to leaving.

The purpose of the jump prior to deploying is toget all deploying paratroopers jumped ahead, so while

deployed they continue to receive hazardous dutyincentive pay (jump pay).

The Department of Defense Pay and AllowancesEntitlement Manual governs hazardous duty pay. Toreceive hazardous pay, Soldiers must perform the dutyin a three-month period. Military operations, combatoperations in a hostile fire are, or absences of jumpequipment are the only reasons for not complyingwith these requirements. Minimum jumprequirements may be waived by the member’scommanding officer.

The XVIII Airborne Corps has released amemorandum, dated January 2004, which coverssoldiers deployed for combat operations in Iraq andAfghanistan. Upon returning from deployment,paratroopers must attend Basic Airborne Refresher(BAR) and perform one jump within three months tomaintain parachute pay.

See Multicultural, page 21

The Provider The Official Newletter of the 1st Corps Support Command, The Army’s Only Contingency COSCOM19The Provider 19

1st COSCOM Soldiers give from the heartAnnual Toy Run providesgifts to less fortunate children

When one thinks of Santa, the image of a jollyman wearing a red and white suit with rosy cheeks,spectacles and long white whiskers comes to mind.The image of a man in a sleigh delivering toys tothousands of children, to include the less fortunate,also comes to mind.

For three community-based organizations, thisyear’s Santa comes in a set of battle dress uniformsand shiny combat boots.

Soldiers from the 1st Corps Support Commandheld their annual four mile Toy Run October 1 inthe 1st COSCOM area in order to collect anddonate toys to local charities.

Prior to the run, which began on Seay Field,Soldiers turned in an array of toys at a turn in point.The donation resulted in hundreds of toys includingbicycles, dolls, action figures, stuffed animals andmore.

“I want to thank all of the soldiers for bringingso many toys. (The Soldiers) brought us about six

pallets worth of toys and as usual the 1st COSCOMSoldiers stood to the line and provided great thingsto deprived children,” said Brig. Gen. Yves J.Fontaine, commanding general, 1st COSCOM.

Once collected, the toys were then donated todifferent charities and the Fort Bragg Yule Mart’sSanta’s Secret Workshop.

“This annual toy run was pretty good. I enjoyedit and giving toys. I felt bad that I couldn’t givemore,” said Pfc. Amy L. Golden, cargo specialist,403rd Transportation Company.

Upon completion of the run, six pallets worthof toys was distributed to three organizations, theFalcon’s Children Home, Operation Blessing ofFayetteville, and Santa’s Secret Workshop.

Operation Blessing is an internationalcommunity outreach organization that operateswithin the United States and abroad. It is homebased out of Virginia Beach, Va.

In 1984 a chapter was chartered into theFayetteville community. Fayetteville operationsalso cover the southeastern portion of the UnitedStates.

Photo and story by Capt. Sonise Lumbaca1st COSCOM PAO

See Toys, page 22

Lt. Col. Timothy Lance (left), assistant chaplain, 1stCOSCOM, and Elmo McKenzie, director, OperationBlessing of Fayetteville, at the annual 1st COSCOMToy Run held October 1, at Seay Field. OperationBlessing of Fayetteville is one of the charities thatthe 1st COSCOM donated their toys to.

1st COSCOM Soldiers donated hundreds of toys,covering six pallets, during their annual toy runOctober 1. Dolls, bicycles, games, and stuffed ani-mal were just some of the many toys given to thecharities.

The Army’s Only Contingency COSCOM

20

Story and photo by Capt. Sonise Lumbaca1st COSCOM PAO

Tough love makes Soldiers combat ready

Postpartum Soldiers from various Fort Bragg unitsconduct a burn-out session at Dal Gym October 6 at6:30 a.m. A burn-out session requires soldiers to dopush-ups and sit-ups until their muscles burn; thisis follwed by an isometric exercise that works thesame muslces.

Having asuccessful pregnancyand producing ahealthy child, andthen gett ing backinto shape andpassing the ArmyPhysical Fitness testis a significanthurdle for manyfemale Soldiers toovercome afterreturning fromconvalescent leave.

When a Soldierdiscovers she ispregnant, she can nolonger perform the same typeof physical training as herfellow Soldiers. The sameholds true for a short period oftime after delivering the child.Potential problems for womencontinue due to persistentmusculo-skeletal andcardiovascular changes due thegrowth of the baby within thewomb and the repositioning oforgans to accommodate theunborn child.

There are many things toconsider when working withSoldiers who have recentlygiven birth, especially if theseSoldiers are “new moms”.

The XVIII Airborne Corps’postpartum PT program is inplace not only to guideexpectant and new mothersthrough a safe workout butalso to keep them educated.

“The postpartum PT is agreat way for female Soldiersto get back into the APFT andheight and weight standards,”said Capt. Michael Barton,nurse, Womack Army MedicalCenter Community HealthNursing.

“It also provides anatmosphere where all post-delivering Soldiers can get intoshape, with others in the sameposition,” said Barton.

WAMC Community HealthNursing trains Soldiers tobecome PT instructors andensures that they areconducting PT in a safemanner.

Sgt. 1st Class Ruby A.Murray, material managementsupervisor, Corps DistributionCommand, 1st Corps SupportCommand, knows all too wellthe diff icult ies that these

female Soldiers have to endureduring and afterpregnancy.

“During unit runs, Iwould see Soldierswho returned fromconvalescent leaveafter giving birth, fallout of the runs. Iwould drop back withthem to try to motivatethem to keep up. Imade it my personalgoal to keep theseSoldiers with thegroup,” said Murray.

Murray is the XVIIIAirborne Corps’Postpartum PTInstructor. Although

the program is operated in the1st COSCOM area and by a 1stCOSCOM Soldier, i t isregulated out of WAMC.

Murray volunteered to bethe instructor two years ago.The program has been aroundsince 1994. Soldiers from allof the major commands on FortBragg at tend her trainingsessions.

“I love coming here andbeing around other femaleSoldiers like me,” said Spc.Bobbie Evans, CorpsDistribution Command, 1stCOSCOM. “A lot of (female)Soldiers are struggling andgoing through a lot of the samethings I went through likepostpartum depression. I wasgoing to get out of the Army,but then I came to the PT.Sergeant Murray and the PT

See PT, page 22

Fall 2004

The Provider

bar and ice cream along withmany choices on the main line.”

One way they are able to keeptheir Soldiers coming back isthrough a counsel meeting,which is open to all Soldiers. Thismeeting allows Soldiers theability to voice their opinionabout what they enjoy or whatthey want to have improved.They hold this meeting everythird Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at theDFAC.

“We’re especially looking forinput from meal card holderssince they are the ones who eatat the facility the most,” saidGloeckler.

Jones also encouraged the ideaof using the customer commentcards, which allow Soldiers whoare not able to participate in the

counsel meeting to express theirconcerns or give ideas to bettertheir dining experience.

The Blackjack dining facilitymanagement has been workingwith the Culinary Arts Schoolhere on Fort Bragg by sending atleast two of their food servicespecialists to school for furthertraining each month.

“All of the cooks workcollectively to make theBlackjack DFAC the bestDepartment of the Army diningfacility in the South Easternregion,” Gloeckler said.Thursdays, which they callBlackjack Days, they servegourmet dishes that areprofessionally displayed toprepare them for the ConnellyAward competition, which will

take place October 7. This daythe Soldiers get to display theirtalents, Gloeckler said.

The Connelly Awardcompetition next month willdetermine if 1st COSCOM’sBlackjack cooks are the best inthe Army. The Blackjack DFACwill be competing against threeother regions for the title.

“The Soldiers are doing awonderful job,” said Sgt. Maj.Rodney Price, U.S. Army FoodService. “The Blackjack DFAChas made a significantimprovement since last year.”

The cooks of Blackjack haveproven that they can make diningenjoyable for their comradesthrough a relaxing environmentand multicultural food with manyoptions to choose from.

Multicultural from page 18

“It’s a great way to recognizethe unique nature of the ministryin the airborne community,” saidReese.

The day was also celebratedwith refreshments and free foodfor all. The 82nd AirborneDivision UMT handled this partof the celebration.

“We had a catered picniclunch with hamburgers, hot dogs,ribs, potato salad, macaronisalad, cole slaw, potato chips,drinks and slushies,” said Ahl.“We also had a birthday cake forthe Chaplains Corps. It was cutby the youngest chaplainsassistant (on the drop zone), Pvt.Bradley Porter, 82nd DivisionArtillery and the oldest ChaplainCol. Gustaf Steinhilber,Headquarters and Headquarters,

Company United States ArmyGarrison.

“We are the XVIII AirborneCorps. What better way tocelebrate the 229th ChaplainsCorps anniversary than with ajump that is non-stressful andfun,” Ahl said.

“I think it (the day) was aresounding success,” Reese said.“Sgt. 1st Class Davis and I wereespecially pleased to have somany junior enlisted soldiers andNCOs participate in this one-of-a- kind event.”

“We couldn’t have pulled thisoff without the tremendouscooperation of the units across1st COSCOM, from the riggercompanies to the transportationfolks with the refrigerator van forthe drinks,” said Reese.

Airborne from page 8

Col. Charles D. Reese, 1st COSCOMchaplain looks out the doorway of aCasa 210 aircraft to locate hisground reference points prior tosending paratroopers out of the air-craft during the July 21 “chaplains’jump” onto Sicily Drop Zone. Photoby Spc. Timothy Hettich, 1stCOSCOM PAO

21The Army’s Only Contingency COSCOM

“We enjoy the continued sponsorship andpartnership from the Fort Bragg community. Iknow that deployments are ongoing as I speak andwe are here to serve and take care of those familiesany way we can. I know that Army takes care ofits own, but we are there to stand in the gaps”, saidElmo McKenzie, director of Operation Blessingof Fayetteville Incorporated.

The Falcon Children’s Home, a second charitythat received donations from 1st COSCOM, offersstability, consistency and the opportunity forchildren needing care over a period of six monthsor more.

“It is a local charity, and that was one of thethings we wanted to do, was to not only supportthe Yule Mart but also the balance to go to the localcommunity; to benefit not only some of the Soldiersthat live out in the civilian community but some ofthe other citizens of Fayetteville. So it is really agreat program,” said Col. Charles D. Reese, 1stCOSCOM Chaplain.

The donations from the 1st COSCOM didn’t endthere. Each year, Fort Bragg hosts its Annual YuleMart.

During the Yule Mart, there is a separate Santa’sSecret Workshop where children up to the age of10 can come in and go shopping. For a smallamount of money, children can purchase items fortheir families and have them wrapped as a surpriseon Christmas morning, said Deborah Kalisz-Wehr,a co-chair for the Santa Secret Workshop.

“The Santa Secret Workshop is a tremendousopportunity for us to do fundraising for the entireFort Bragg Community. We receive donationsfrom units on post like 1st COSCOM with fabuloustoy donations,” said Kalisz-Wehr.

Thanks to the generosity of Soldiers from the1st COSCOM, some less fortunate children willhave toys in their stockings and under their treesthis winter.

“The run was a good thing and the whole reasonbehind it was great. It is great for us to givesomething back to the community to the kids thatare less fortunate,” said Sgt. 1st Class Samuel C.Grant, India Company, 4/159th Aviation Regiment.

Toys from page 19

Fall 2004

PT from page 16

22

motivated me to stay in,” said Evans.Evans completed postpartum PT August 26.

She said that the motivation that the programbrought her caused her to return to the programas an instructor.

“I wanted to let other Soldiers in the samesituation as me know that they have a lot togive to the Army. Postpartum PT helpsmotivate them mentally and physically.Sergeant Murray can also look at a Soldiers andtell if there is “more going on” with the Soldierwho may need help,” said Evans.

Spc. Joy Tringo, HHD, 264th SupportBattalion, 1st Corps Support Command,delivered her baby four months ago and hasbeen in the program for two months.

Tringo and many of the other Soldiers in theprogram took their first APFT since deliveringtheir babies October 4. The Soldier are givendiagnostic and record PT tests while in theprogram to measure how far they have come.

“I ran it in 15:36 which is the max. This was adiagnostic which was okay, but I would like to getback to my score of 295,” said Tringo. The scorefor maxing the APFT in all categories is 300.

“Sergeant Murray really pushes despite thefact we have just had babies. I see no differencein the PT that we do compared to my unit. Wework just as hard. The difference is we are allfemale who are going through the same thingsand she takes her time with each of us,” saidSpc. Rosemary Hernandez, 3-4, Air DefenseArtillery Regiment.

Three hundred and ninety six Soldiers havecome through the program and have passed theAPFT, 15 scoring 300 on their test, sinceMurray has been the instructor. Fifteen of theSoldiers ran the Army Ten Miler. Murrayattr ibutes these successes to individualmotivation and helping the Soldiers feel thatthey belong.

“Our motto is ‘tough love’ to get Soldierscombat ready,” said Murray.

XVIII Airborne Corps Postpartum PT runsfrom 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and occurs five daysa week at Dahl gym located on Logistics Street.

The Provider 23

United Service Organizationshas distributed more than 300,000Operation USO Care Packages totroops since the program began inSeptember 2002, USO officialsannounced recently.

Initiated by the USO ofMetropolitan Washington,Operation USO Care Package is away for the American people toshow their support for servicemembers, officials said, and isendorsed by the DefenseDepartment.

The packages include itemsspecifically requested by militarypersonnel serving in EnduringFreedom and Iraqi Freedom, suchas prepaid international call cards,disposable cameras, toiletries,snacks and playing cards.

“The tremendous success ofOperation USO Care Package is atrue testament to the support USOvolunteers and the American

people provide for our men andwomen deployed in the waragainst terrorism,” said Edward A.Powell, president and chiefexecutive officer of USO WorldHeadquarters.

“This is but one example of thebridge the USO provides toindividuals and corporations toreach out to and show their supportfor military personnel.”

Expanding its outreach totroops, the USO opened a centerin Kuwait last December, andrecently opened centers in Qatarand in Vicenza, Italy. The Qatarcenter offers troops a 96-hour passthrough the Rest and Recuperationprogram, where they can take abreak and enjoy cultural andsporting activities.

Another special program fordeploying troops is USOOperation Phone Home.Donations to this program help theUSO purchase prepaid,international calling cards for

service members, including thosestationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

To help boost troop morale, theUSO also increases the number ofcelebrity entertainment tours overthe last few years. These includednumerous tours to Iraq,Afghanistan and other locations inthe Persian Gulf region, as well asstateside “welcome home”celebrations for returning troops,USO officials noted.

To support these specialprograms and other services theUSO provides to militarypersonnel and their families,people can call 1-800-USO-7469toll free or go to the USO WorldHeadquarters web site. People alsocan contact local USO centers,USO officials added, to volunteertheir time and services or to makemonetary contributions. Locationsand web links can be found on theUSO headquarters site—www.uso.org.

by Fort Bragg LiaisonOffice Newsletter

The United States PostalService (USPS) is offering freepacking materials to spouses,families and friends of militarymembers deployed overseas. Totake advantage of this servicecall 800-610-8734 (press 1 forEnglish or 2 for Spanish and then3 to speak to an operator). TheUSPS will send you free boxes,packing materials, tape andmailing labels. These products

are to be used to mail carepackages to deployed servicemembers. For additionalinformation on mailing packagesoverseas, visit the USPS“Supporting our TroopsFrequently Asked Questions”webpage at <http://w w w . u s p s . c o m /s u p p o r t i n g o u r t r o o p s /supportingfaqs.htm

Free packing material for deployedservice members

The Army’s Only Contingency COSCOM

1st COSCOM: The Army’s Only Contingency Support Command