Iraqi freedom

James R. Helmly

Our nation faces new and difficult challenges across the globe and here at home. To maintain our freedoms, our interests, and our way of life, the United States must not only react to these changes, we must anticipate, plan and prepare for them. Much of that responsibility Falls on the men and women of the U.S. Army Reserve.

The brave members of this agile, highly skilled force prove their patriotism every single day, and that they are committed to serving our country--at a moment's notice--even during the most turbulent times.

Today, Americans continue to fight for the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness--not only for themselves, but for others as well. We wage war against an enemy who seeks to deny life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to millions of people around the world. The foe we face in Iraq and other paris of the world in the Global War on Terrorism finds glory in suppressing liberty with terror, and killing innocent civilians publicly and viciously. We fight for a world free of fear. Our enemy seeks a world based on it.

Let us never forget the importance of the cause for which we struggle. It is a fight for freedom as much as any war in our history.

Thousands of our fellow Army Reserve Soldiers have answered the call to active duty, and are serving our country with the same dedication and diligence as the Minutemen of colonial times. Many Army Reserve Soldiers have sacrificed their lives in the fight for freedom. Hundreds of Army Reserve Soldiers are recovering from wounds sustained in this war. Their service and sacrifice demand we uphold the legacy that they have built with dignity and honor.

1st ID DETACHMENT PROVIDES FORCE PROTECTION

The 1st Infantry Division Detachment (Rear Operations Center), an Army Reserve unit based in Bamberg, Germany, deployed with the 1st Infantry Division (ID) to Iraq just eight months after returning from Kosovo. The Soldiers currently are on mission at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Speicher, near Tikrit.

"We spent approximately two weeks in Kuwait at Camp New York preparing to move into Iraq," said Col. Mike Sinnott, commander of the 1st ID Detachment (Rear Operations Center). "In Kuwait, we awaited the arrival of our vehicles and supplies, and conducted live fire and close quarter marksmanship training."

Once in Iraq, the unit began conducting its mission to establish and maintain the 1st ID's Rear Command Post and to provide expertise in rear area and base security, force protection and terrain management.

"We are pretty fortunate that our mission here is a true Rear Operations Center mission. We perform operations and intelligence functions," added Sinnott. "In addition, we are proud that we were able to hit the ground running with our Active Component comrades, seamlessly integrating on short notice with the 1st ID staff."

Prior to arriving in Iraq, the members of the 1st ID Detachment (Rear Operations Center) spent eight months in Kosovo. Last fall, they participated in a major Warfighter Exercise with the

1st ID. They believe the Warfighter Exercise helped them prepare for the challenges they would encounter in Iraq.

"Working with the 1st ID during Warfighter gave us time to iron out equipment and technical challenges and to rehearse battle drills," said Sinnott. "By the time we conducted annual training prior to mobilization and through mobilization, we were able to focus on key Soldier skills."

During their two weeks of annual training, the Soldiers conducted convoy live fire training. They also were required to participate in a more complex and challenging live fire course in Kuwait.

"Convoy live fire was the most significant training we received considering we spent two days driving from Kuwait to Tikrit," added Sinnott.

The 1st ID Detachment (Rear Operations Center) is a subordinate unit of the 7th Army Reserve Command (ARCOM), the Army's only Reserve command totally stationed on foreign soil. The 7th ARCOM provides U.S. Army Europe with 22 units and nearly 1,000 Soldiers to fill highly specialized fields such as rear operations, intelligence, personnel replacement operations, movement control, medical support, and chaplain support.

243rd QUARTERMASTER BATTALION MANAGES LARGEST COALITION CAMP IN NORTHERN KUWAIT

It's somewhere in the middle of nowhere. With a horizon so far off it's difficult to discern. But in the vast, flat expanse of northern Kuwait, it's a place many Soldiers call home before moving into Iraq.

At any single time, as many as 14,000 Soldiers may be passing through. And the camp is responsible for managing everything those Soldiers may need en route to their ultimate mission--ensuring freedom in Iraq.

"Everything is trucked in," said Col. Patrick Dardis, commander of the 243rd Quartermaster Battalion, an Army Reserve unit from Parsons, Kansas. "All of the water, fuel and food the Soldiers will need. We're totally dependent upon the outside world to function like a city within the desert."

Assigned to the 89th Regional Readiness Command, the 55 Soldiers of the 243rd act somewhat like city managers for almost 2,000 permanent troops, who have been assigned to this city in the sand to help facilitate the final staging and forward movement of units into Iraq. Those 2,000 "fixed"

Soldiers are called "tenant" units by Dardis, while all of the other troops are considered "transient" because eventually they will be moving on.

"While they are here, they are gathering intelligence about their pending missions in Iraq. They conduct briefings, specialized training and rehearsals. They also finalize their load plans before actually taking on food and amino," added Dardis. "They're very busy, so it's my mission and the mission of my staff to provide and ensure that the very best support is provided them while they are our customers."

Dardis is very proud of the fact that he and his Soldiers not only are keeping the camp running at full throttle when necessary, but also continuing to assist in upgrading existing facilities and planning for more permanent structures.

Out of the unit's total of 55 Soldiers, 15 were called from other units--a process called "cross-leveling," where Soldiers whose skills meet the identified shortfall requirements of a unit are drawn from other units throughout the Army Reserve.

"I was cross-leveled," said Sgt. 1st Class Walter Brown, who originally was assigned to the 5115th Garrison Support unit in Fort Meade, Maryland. A food service specialist, Brown is responsible for ensuring the Soldiers are adequately fed.

"I try my best to take care of them. That's my mission--to take care of these Soldiers. I give them the very best I can," added Brown.

353rd ENGINEER GROUP BRINGS CIVILIAN-ACQUIRED SKILLS TO DEVELOPING IRAQ'S INFRASTRUCTURE

One of the greatest challenges facing Coalition forces is the restoration of Iraq's infrastructure. This includes renovating the power grids, and water and sewer systems, as well as rebuilding housing and commerce. The 1,200 Soldiers assigned to the 353rd Engineer Group, an Army Reserve unit from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, are meeting that challenge.

"We do planning and design work for infrastructure development," said Col. William Hagood, commander of the 353rd and a senior vice president of a civil engineering and architectural firm in his civilian life. "A lot of active duty engineer units are considered combat-heavy because they are designed to breach obstacles and provide support for forward combat arms construction. In the Army Reserve, we are more mission-oriented."

Most of the members of the 353rd work in the construction and engineering fields in their civilian occupations. They are surveyors, builders, designers, architects, and civil engineers. One Army Reserve Soldier, Sgt. 1st Class Ronald Ice, has more than 15 years managing a construction company.

"We're working with the Iraqi civilian population here," said Ice. "They're the ones who really know what is wrong and how to fix it. We're just here to help them."

Ice noted that a lot of the construction work that was done earlier was unsafe. For example, several of the Soldiers with the 353rd are fully engaged in renovation of a series of cement housing facilities that were hurriedly constructed by the Iraqis. They were constructed so fast, in fact, that the landfill was not compacted properly to allow for settlement time. Subsequently, during the rainy season, the floors began to cave in, breaking apart all of the water systems. The Soldiers now are replacing those systems, as well as restoring the buildings.

"Sometimes, the low bid isn't always the best," added Ice. "We look closely at all the bids to determine the best contractor for the job. When it comes to quality, we stick to our guns."

Maj. Curtis Woods, another Soldier with the 353rd, is the deputy commissioner for public works in Mount Vernon, New York, where he oversees the city's water, electric and sanitation operations. In Iraq, he is performing similar duties.

"I'm working with my Iraqi counterpart to systematically identify the problems and develop solutions. However, it's going to take a while," said Woods. "I see much bigger problems here than I do at home. But this experience is going to help me when I return to my job in the States."

Lt. Col. Doug Satterfield is the chief design engineer with the 353rd. This experience has shown him a lot.

"I'm proud of the Soldiers and what they are doing," said Satterfield. "They will be better people, both in terms of their professional skills, as well as in recognizing what is important in life. And the Iraqi people will be better people too."

"We're here to help the Iraqis get back on their feet, and to supply the essential services that will enable them to use these facilities in the future," added Hagood. "That's really what we're here for--to provide the Iraqis with the benefit and knowledge of our experience and to give them a fresh start."

COMPANY A, 411th ENGINEER BATTALION IMPROVES CAMP WAR EAGLE

There's nothing like taking a hot shower to wash away the dust, sweat and fatigue that accompany life out on patrol. Making these showers available in Iraq is the job of Company A, 411th Combat Heavy Engineer Battalion, an Army Reserve unit based out of Hawaii.

"Currently, we have been assigned to build a force protection wall and to fix the plumbing problems in the barracks," said 1st Lt. Kelly Heth, general construction platoon leader. "The carpenters we brought along with us also are building benches for the showers and making other small improvements to help improve the quality of life of our Soldiers."

In addition to renovating the showers, the Soldiers also are getting the opportunity to practice their skills as plumbers, carpenters and electricians, as well as to learn new trades.

According to Staff Sgt. Mel Mizukami, a squad leader with Company A, his Soldiers currently are charged with taking the barracks' water tanks out of the ground and building cement platforms to place them on.

"The problem with where the tanks are now is that they were not placed properly. So there is a lot of seepage and the water is getting contaminated," said Mizukami. "By elevating the tanks up out of the ground, you get a cleaner water system."

Meanwhile, another squad is prepping the hot water heaters by replacing the wiring and piping.

According to Heth, many of the Soldiers in the battalion are construction contractors with their own businesses or college students in their civilian lives. They also come from all over the United States.

"In our battalion, we have people who come from all over the United States. We also have just about every nationality you can think of represented. And they all came here to serve their country," said Heth. "They are all well-educated and work together closely as a team. It's a great bunch of Soldiers."

COMPANY C, 411th ENGINEER BATTALION GETS THE JOB DONE

Every unit runs into obstacles when trying to complete its mission in Iraq. No matter how much the unit trains, it just cant be prepared for every contingency. The same can be said for the Soldiers of Company C, 411th Engineer Battalion, an Army Reserve unit from Guam that has been attached to the 1st Cavalry Division to construct buildings on Camp Victory North in Baghdad.

"Right now, our platoon is working on a finance center. We are supposed to have it done in 11 days," said Staff Sgt. Lawrence S. Terlaje, a site manager for the 411th, standing before the bare frame of a future building. "However, it wont be easy."

The problem is that, even while several Soldier-carpenters work hard at driving nails into wood planks and sawing two-by-fours in the mid-day sun, many of the Soldiers of the 411th are on "Red Cycle"--assigned to more detail-oriented tasking such as checkpoint operations--or sleeping after night shifts.

Another obstacle the unit is confronting has to do with the construction materials themselves.

"A carpenter knows when he looks at a two-by-four. The U.S. standard is actually an inch-and-a-half by three-and-a-half inches. Here, we see three different sizes," added Terlaje. "And, with the weather out here, the lumber takes a real beating. When we get it from the yard, it's compressed and bundled down. However, as soon as we take it out of its packing, the dry air starts to affect it. So, we need to get it nailed down fast."

Then there are the electrical differences.

"We are set up for 220 volts, but the hertz is different here. It is destroying our equipment. So we are doing what we can to buy equipment from local shops that already is set up for the same hertz," said Terlaje.

Despite these problems, Terlaje and his fellow Soldiers maintain they joined the Army Reserve for the challenge.

"I like the challenges of this job. And I like being with my fellow Soldiers to meet those challenges," added Terlaje. "If I have to be away from my family, I want to be here with my unit. This is my second family, and it makes all of this worthwhile."

416th CIVIL AFFAIRS BATTALION WORKS TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE IN IRAQ

Throughout Iraq, Army Reserve Soldiers with the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion from Norristown, Pennsylvania, are working diligently to improve the infrastructure of Iraq.

Improving Health Care Delivery Systems

Raising the standard of health care starts with providing the appropriate health care delivery systems, including facilities, equipment and supplies, and Soldiers with the 416th have been working with Coalition forces to do just that. Not only have they been repairing clinics and expanding existing structures, they also have been purchasing critical medical equipment and providing necessary medicines on a consistent basis unlike anything the region has experienced before.

"With the money the Coalition forces have provided, Army Reserve Soldiers have helped us provide two hospitals and 17 health clinics within Zakho with needed medical supplies; clean, updated facilities; and new and better health care equipment," said Dr. Khorshwez Said, director of Zakho General Hospital.

When the 416th first arrived in Zakho, they met with the mayor, Shakh Akhr Shakh Jemal, to discuss what he thought his city needed most. Immediately, Jemal said the city needed to improve its health care system.

"After talking with the mayor, we were able to go right to the city's general hospital authorities to ask them what they needed," said 1st Lt. Tim Zeisset of Lincoln, Nebraska, a project officer with the 416th. "Then we were able to submit a proposal to the Coalition authorities to obtain the funding necessary to get started."

Over the past year, Coalition forces have spent more than $1 million to improve the health care system in northern Iraq.

Restoring Security Operations

In addition to improving health care in Zahko, Soldiers from the 416th have raised more than $4 million in recent months from various sources to provide districts within the Irbil governate--Mergassor, Choman and Seran--much needed equipment to support security operations, including computers, printers, copiers, buses, pickup trucks, backhoes, and dump trucks.

"When they found out we could raise money for the area, they asked us how we thought they should use it," said 1st Lt. Timothy Hilfiger, team leader for the 416th. "There were some items the local leaders consistently requested, so we worked at getting those items delivered first."

The donation of 15 buses complemented a larger rural education project the team had been spearheading in the area. When completed, this project will bring 12 new schools to the three districts. The buses will be distributed to the districts so children from smaller villages will have the transportation necessary to attend the schools.

The pickup trucks, backhoes and dump trucks are targeted at giving the districts' electric and water departments the ability to perform their own maintenance work in the future.

"We're looking for ways to help them become more self-sufficient," added Hilfiger. "If they can do their own maintenance, they will have to rely on us and the central government less in the future."

The computer equipment will be used to network the local government departments together to help enable them to be more responsive to their citizens. Currently, the 416th is concentrating more on the rural, war-torn villages that otherwise would not see improvements for several years to come.

In addition, Soldiers from the 416th also are working to improve security around Mosul's schools. In June, members from the unit's higher education team handed out $10,000 worth of security equipment, such as body armor, megaphones, flashlights, reflective vests, and metal detectors to the security guards from Mosul University. Maj. Wayne Bowen, the higher education team chief, recommended the project for funding through the Commander's Emergency Response Program in response to requests he got from the security guards.

"So far, the campus has been less violent than other universities in the country," said Bowen. "However, terrorists have tried to get onto campus and there have been a few drive-by shootings outside the university."

The body armor will be worn by the guards who work at the gates of the university, while the metal detectors will enable the guards to more effectively search people coming through the gates. The megaphones will be used to control riots and demonstrations on campus.

The Soldiers also provided training to the guards on how to safely and effectively use the equipment.

"This equipment will give the guards a greater sense of confidence as they go about the business of doing their jobs," added Bowen.

Providing Homes for Displaced Persons

In the Dahuk governate, the Soldiers of the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion have been working with local government, non-governmental organizations and Coalition forces to provide much needed housing for displaced persons.

The families, recognized as Internally Displaced People (IDP), were forced from their homes between 1961 and the establishment of the no-fly zone after the First Gulf War in 1992. During that time, Saddam Hussein's regime destroyed nearly 4,500 villages using chemical or conventional bombs on the villagers. To avoid being killed, many Kurdish families fled to nearby Turkey, Syria or Iran.

Musi Ali Bakrr is the Chairman of the High Committee for IDPs and Refugees for the Dahuk governate, and is in the forefront of the fight for the Kurdish families. He currently represents nearly 25,000 families or 160,000 individuals in the governate who remain homeless.

"The wounds of the IDPs are very deep. After 30 years of organized destruction of the Kurdish people, it will take nothing less than 60 years of organized reconstruction to repair the damage done," said Bakrr.

The IDPs currently live in nearly 325 structures throughout Dahuk known as public buildings. These include abandoned schools, office buildings and former military installations. As many as ten people live within rooms measuring 20' x 20', while families share kitchen space often consisting of nothing more than a couple of burners and a few dishes.

To combat the homeless problems of the region, Bakrr is trying to provide homes in area villages instead of using available resources to fix the public buildings. And that is where the Soldiers of the 416th come in.

"We are rebuilding these villages because each village we help restore means that many more people are able to have homes," said Lt. Col. Kenneth Scarano, who oversees the 416th's operations in Dahuk.

To date, more than 150 homes have been erected for IDPs in three locations. Additional homes still are under construction, while there are plans to construct many more in the future. Those families who have been displaced the longest are being given priority in receiving a house. If chosen, the family receives full ownership of the home at no cost.

Giving Police the Tools to Da Their Job

Also in Dahuk, Soldiers of the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion have worked closely with local police officers to obtain much needed equipment to be used to help deter crime, including several desktop computers, copiers, fax machines, and digital cameras, as well as two new police vehicles. The $30,000 project, headed by the Army Reserve Soldiers and funded by the Commander's Emergency Response Program, was identified as a priority need by community leaders in the region.

"This equipment is important because many of the districts lack the necessary vehicles and computer systems to effectively do their jobs," said Sgt. Jeffrey Gliem, public safety team leader for the 416th in Dahuk.

Throughout the governate's six districts, the police only have 25 patrol vehicles, while two districts have no vehicles at all. As a result, most police officers have been restricted primarily to monitoring thoroughfares and intersections around their posts in an attempt to keep their presence known to the public.

"Our goal was to help the police department become more mobile," added Gliem. "An officer really cannot patrol effectively on foot. So, our hope has been that the added transportation will help, even marginally, to increase their ability to respond in times of crisis."

Brig. Gen. Nazar R. Aziz, the Dahuk governate chief of police, added that the office equipment will improve greatly the department's ability to coordinate and communicate crimes in real-time among its 29 police substations. In the future, the 416th hopes to teach local officers how to create a criminal database.

"I love to see how happy the officers are to receive this equipment," said Gliem. "Doing this makes me feel like I have done something at the end of the day, and makes me want to work harder to get more projects approved for these people in the future."

451st CIVIL AFFAIRS BATTALION HELPS PRESERVE ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES

Four and five thousand-year old artifacts from Iraq's multicultured past were discovered when Soldiers of Company B, 65th Engineer Battalion dug into a hill while gathering dirt for Hesco defense barriers. Capt. Nicholas Gianforti, an intelligence officer for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team and a college anthropology major, responded first to the site after its discovery.

"Once the engineers found it, they stopped digging and notified the brigade tactical operations center," said Gianforti. "The next day, I went out to the site to verify whether or not it was an archeological find."

After confirming the find, additional hills in the area also were found to hold archeological treasures. For the next month, Soldiers of Company B, 451st Civil Affairs Battalion, an Army Reserve unit from Pasadena, Texas, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, invited local archeologists from the Museum of Antiquities to identify the artifacts and search for other potential sites.

"As Americans, our policy is to respect the cultures of the country that we find ourselves in," said Maj. Karl Morton, commander of the 451st. "The better the locals understand that, I think the more supportive they are. That's one of our main missions--building local support."

At first, the area was believed to be a gravesite. However, upon closer examination, it was revealed that the animal bones and pottery were related to an ancient settlement. Some of the pottery is estimated to be approximately 5,000 years old, and it has been linked to the Nuzi people of the Hurrian civilization.

Nuzi was a provincial agricultural town in the small Hurrian kingdom of Arrapha, whose capital today is buried under the town of Kirkuk. Arrapha was situated along the southeastern edge of an area believed to be under Mittanian domination. Babylonia lay to the south and, to the west, was Assyria, whose revolt against the Hurrian kingdom of Mittania is suspected of having led to the destruction of Nuzi and the ultimate collapse of Mittania in the 14th century.

In 1972, representatives from Harvard University excavated the town of Nuzi, which is about 10 miles south of Kirkuk. One remarkable item recovered from the site was the world's oldest map etched on rock and dated at about 5,500 years ago.

"The area that we now know as Iraq used to be known as Mesopotamia," added Morton. "Mesopotamia is credited with being the cradle of civilization. Its people were believed to be the first to develop an agricultural system, a writing system and metal alloys."

According to Morton, Iraq sits on top of the world's oldest and most significant historical sites, and no one knows what might be found next. That is why it is important to safeguard these particular sites.

"For now, it is our responsibility to ensure we don't cause any damage to these sites," he added.

478th COMBAT ENGINEER BATTALION RECEIVES PRESIDENTIAL CITATION

Their job was to clear minefields and to escort the Marines through heavy fighting in Iraq. During 33 days of combat, a period that demanded four major river crossings and destroying Iraqi bunkers, Army Reserve Soldiers from the Fort Thomas, Kentucky-based 478th Combat Engineer Battalion proved they were more than up to the challenge. In May, they received the Presidential Unit Citation for their service in Iraq--the highest award an Army unit can receive.

"It's nice. It gives you a sense of accomplishment," said Sgt. Robert Williams of Beavercreek, Ohio.

More than 200 of the battalion's members were honored at the small ceremony conducted at the Army Reserve Center at Fort Thomas before an audience of about 100 friends and relatives. Every Soldier who participated in the campaign received a ribbon to wear on his or her uniform.

During the six months the engineers were deployed, 168 Army Commendation Medals and 390 Army Achievement Medals were awarded to the Soldiers of the 478th for outstanding service to the United States, their fellow Soldiers and the Iraqi people. In addition, 11 Soldiers received the Bronze Star.

"I'm so proud of my son," said Sherry Hammons, whose son, Sgt. Jeff Hammons, is with the battalion. "They deserve this honor, especially because there is a remote possibility that they could go back."

Most of the Soldiers said they remain dedicated to the overall mission.

"We have a commitment to the people of Iraq, and we need to bring stability to that country," said Spec. James Woodson of Cleves, Ohio.

478th CIVIL AFFAIRS BATTALION SOLDIER MANAGES VENDORS WITH KINDNESS

Maj. Annette Dawson's job isn't easy. Today, she has to meet with the second wife of a bazaar vendor who was killed in a robbery to settle his estate. Throughout the difficult process, she displays a remarkable degree of kindness as she works to ensure an even division of property between both of the vendor's wives.

Dawson, a special projects officer with the 478th Civil Affairs Battalion and an educator from Hobbs, New Mexico, is charged with oversight for the popular bazaar located approximately two blocks away from the Presidential Palace in Baghdad.

"I maintain supervision of the market and ensure the vendors are operating within the guidelines and standards of the Coalition authority and Iraqi people," said Dawson. "Other than that, I just try to be honest and fair."

The market features a surprising array of useful and eclectic wares--everything from CDs and DVDs to watches, hand made rugs and handbags, soft drinks and ice cream, and gold jewelry. The place draws an ever-increasing crowd of locals, military, contract workers, and government employees, who gingerly navigate the narrow aisle sandwiched between twin rows of wooden stalls.

According to Dawson, there is no rental fee charged for stall space, which is provided on a first come-first served basis. More than 300 workers man the stalls, including six female Iraqis who serve as sub-managers for Dawson.

"They help me enforce standards, update changes and provide input into the bazaar," added Dawson. "For instance, this is the first week we've sold melons. And we're planning on bringing more fruits and vegetables based upon demand."

Supply and demand always have served as the cornerstone for success in commercial centers, and the bazaar is no exception.

"I came here for a circular saw," said Staff Sgt. David Patterson of the 785th Combat Stress Detachment from Minneapolis, Minnesota, a frequent shopper at the bazaar. "If you need something, you just tell one of the vendors what you want. Sometimes, we go online and get a picture of the item for them. Then they go into Baghdad and find it for you. Their prices are reasonable--about what you'd pay at home."

Dawson also serves as the U.S. military liaison for the Women's Center in Baghdad, where she champions the struggle for gender equality and equal opportunity. She actively encourages the women of Iraq to move into the future, joining the workforce to gain greater independence.

"They've lived under these traditional roles for so long," said Dawson. "But as times change, their roles must change. I'm proud to be helping these women."

Dawson believes the evolution of the women's role in Iraq and in the new nation's workplace ultimately will help the country become more productive. She sees the bazaar as a microcosm of how things might operate on a grander scale one day soon in the future.

"I really like working with the vendors," added Dawson. "Some day, I would like to see them develop their efforts into truly prosperous small businesses."

785th COMBAT STRESS COMPANY HELPS COMBAT THE STRESS OF COMBAT

Stress is something the Soldiers of the 785th Combat Stress Company, an Army Reserve unit from Minneapolis, Minnesota, understand. And they are doing their best to help Soldiers resolve stress problems before and as they occur.

"We offer the Soldiers a couple of things," said Capt. Robert Johnson, a psychologist with the 785th. "Perhaps the most important is restoration for Soldiers who are experiencing a lot of stress in their lives--whether it is battlefield-related or the result of being away from loved ones in a dangerous environment halfway across the world."

Soldiers who seek assistance from the 785th are screened first to determine the extent, depth and severity of their problems.

"I do the initial intake interview, where we collect all of the information from the Soldiers to find out what might be going on," said Sgt. Jennifer Iveland, a mental health specialist with the unit. "Then they see one of the professional staff--a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker. Between us, we decide the disposition and treatment plan for the Soldiers."

Unfortunately, according to Iveland, a stigma can attach to Soldiers who choose to discuss and try to manage their stress-related problems.

"It's something we're trying to get past," added Iveland. "After all, we're here to help them cope, and to give them the tools necessary to help them deal better with their duty and deployment."

Generally, the most common stress problems are the result of either: 1) combat-related issues where a Soldier has been in a lot of fighting; 2) home-front issues related to spouses and children; or 3) chain of command issues. Most of the therapy involves getting Soldiers to focus on the stress and anger management.

According to Johnson, seeking assistance for battlefield stress is nothing to be ashamed of. All Soldiers serving in Iraq are subjected to numerous types of stress on a daily basis. And the long days away from home living in cramped quarters with mortar rounds dropping continuously can give even the strongest personalities cause for concern.

Johnson recalled a Soldier who had been awarded two Purple Hearts during his second rotation supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, who sought out their assistance.

"He already had two Purple Hearts and he had taken three rounds that were stopped by his body armor plates," said Johnson. "We are very proud of him and his service. At the same time, however, we know the kinds of stress that can cause. After all, we all have our limits."

"We helped him recognize that he had hit a point where he no longer could cope appropriately with being a combat Soldier. He is still a Soldier, but we had him look for another position."

Johnson said he enlisted in the Army Reserve just prior to September 11th because he felt the need to serve his nation.

"My brother was in Vietnam," said Johnson. "And, in the times we are facing now, I felt this was my opportunity to help the Soldiers who are serving over here."

Before being mobilized, Johnson worked for the U.S. Department of Justice and managed a drug abuse program in a 200-bed unit in a Texas correctional facility. He resides in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Iveland was awaiting enrollment into the Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) program when she was mobilized. She makes her home in Laverne, Minnesota.

810th MILITARY POLICE COMPANY CONDUCTS CONVOY SECURITY OPERATIONS INTO IRAQ

The ragged sound of tapping valves beneath the dusty hoods of several HMMWVs fills the air, which smells strongly of diesel fuel. The vehicles have just been "topped off" for the trip north into Iraq. It's just after daybreak--about 5:00 a.m.--and it's already hot. But not as hot as it could get.

"... an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) attacked a patrol in that area. All of that happened within the past 24 hours. Any questions?" said Staff Sgt. Roland Sioris, finishing his threat condition briefing to the Soldiers from the 810th Military Police Company, an Army Reserve unit from Tampa, Florida.

Since being extended from performing U.S. Customs support operations in Kuwaiti camps where U.S. troops were deploying home, the Soldiers of the 810th have been on a mission to conduct convoy security operations into Iraq.

"We meet the convoys here in the staging lanes, meshing into the trucks as they depart. We take them where they need to go and then come back," added Sioris.

To ensure the safety of the supply movement, the unit provides six, heavily armed HMMWVs, which travel to some of the northernmost forward operating bases in Iraq. The mission can last anywhere from 16 hours to four days to complete the return trek to Kuwait, and the long days demand every Soldiers' fullest attention since attacks on U.S. operations throughout Iraq have increased dramatically in recent months.

"You have to keep an eye on everything," said HMMWV driver Spec. Corey Campbell, who enlisted in the Army Reserve to earn additional money for college. Although Campbell had to place his studies on hold when his unit was mobilized, he has managed to complete four online courses since arriving in Kuwait.

"During the longer trips, I switch jobs with my gunner," said Campbell. "That way, we both have the opportunity to either drive or man the vehicle's weapons system. This allows us to stay more alert and mission focused."

"We call it the 'Iraqi Express,' and we have encounters nearly every time we go out," said Spec. Charles Spencer. "A problem can erupt at a moment's notice--like a vehicle stopping or a vehicle entering the convoy. Even normal traffic in Iraq--people going to or from work--can create problems for us."

In the many months that the Army Reserve Soldiers of the 810th have been on duty in Kuwait and Iraq, strong bonds have been formed.

"With us, everything just clicks. Typically, we're pretty laid back. However, as soon as we cross that border, we put on a different face. We become the 'Hell Hounds,'" added Spencer. "We all came here together, and we're all going home together."

874th MOVEMENT REGULATING DETACHMENT GETS ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES TO COALITION FORCES

More than 1,000 trucks carry mission-essential supplies each day through Habur Gate on the Turkey-Iraq border to Coalition forces operating from northern Iraq all the way down to Baghdad. The trucks move food, water, fuel and other items shipped from ports in Turkey and other locations in Europe. Sorting the trucks and identifying what essential supplies cross the border is the job of the 874th Movement Regulating Detachment, an Army Reserve unit from Staten Island, New York.

"We stage the trucks for movement south to ensure their security and their arrival to Coalition forces throughout northern Iraq," said Maj. Michael Butler, the unit's commander and a resident of Staten Island. "We expedite a process that otherwise might take days."

The trucks line up on either side of the border waiting to cross sometimes for days. During the time it takes to move the items, the drivers live in the trucks.

Sgt. Rui Wu, an Army Reserve Soldier with the 874th, works in the border holding area keeping track of the trucks waiting to go south. According to him, while his job might not seem like much, it affects all of the Soldiers in the distribution area.

"If a convoy of ours is attacked on either side--Iraq or Turkey--supplies will be late. And, if the supplies are not handled properly, time will be wasted getting the supplies to the troops," said Wu.

The Coalition forces, Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and contracted security companies provide security for the convoys traveling south. Given the large number of trucks moving supplies, security presents a number of challenges.

"The biggest problem we have is communication between drivers. If they see something or have a problem with their vehicle, it is hard for the convoy escorts to find out right away," added Butler. "But once the convoys move south, we trust that their security escorts will ensure their safe arrival and that the troops will get what they need."

COPYRIGHT 2004 U.S. Army Reserve
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group