The Holidays are over for the most part, but most of us who spent it with our families may not have given much thought to the men and women who are still serving over in Iraq. While they work very hard over there – just look at all they’ve accomplished – they do take time out every now and then to relieve some stress. Soldiers from the 716th Quartermaster Company, 80th Ordnance Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), of out Jersey City, N.J., have found time to relieve some stress, and play some football. The team, called the “Dark Knights” gather at Killeen Field on Joint Base Balad to compete weekly in a game of flag football.

“Having a company flag football team is good for morale,” Staff Sgt. Robert Rivera said. “I would like to thank our fans for all of their support so far this season.”

“It’s a great thing to come out here and cheer on our team. I’m very proud of my Soldiers,” said 1st Sgt. Nilsa Davila-Aranda, the 716th’s senior non-commissioned officer.

Meanwhile, the 1483rd Transportation Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), held a truck rodeo on December 29, 2009 in the company’s motor pool on Camp Taji, Iraq.

The 541st CSSB chaplain Capt. Nathan White, a native of Wichita, Kansas, made an appearance at the truck rodeo, and with Soldiers from the unit encouraging him, he decided to test his driving skills at the straight line backing station. Even though he had never driven a HET before, the chaplain earned a time better than some of the competing Soldiers.

“The truck rodeo was a good test of all of our skills,” said Spc. Brian Ginett, a motor transport operator with the 1483rd Trans. Company and an Antigo, Wisconsin, native.

As you can see, our soldiers are fighting for freedom, but they also know how to take some much needed (and deserved) down time.

Sgt. Stryker Out.

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It’s Not Always Work, Work, Work

Dark Knight’s Spc. James Blamah-Sah, with the 716th Quartermaster Company (center), runs past an Air Force “49ers” defenseman during a game against the Air Force’s “49ers” Jan. 10 at Joint Base Balad.

Dark Knight’s Quarterback Spc. Todd Boban, with the 716th Quartermaster Company, runs the football up the sideline during a game against the Air Force’s “49ers” Jan. 10 at Joint Base Balad.

Rodeo Brings Excitement to Soldiers

A Soldier from the 1483rd Transportation Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), knocks over cones while attempting to do straight line backing with a heavy equipment transporter Dec. 29, 2009 on Camp Taji, Iraq, as Sgt. Josephine Beal, an operator with the 1483rd Trans. Company and Ohio native, sets the cones back up and grades the driver.

Spc. Brian Ginett, an Antigo, Wis., native, and Spc. Josh Crisenbery, a Cridersville, Ohio, native, both motor transport operators with the 1483rd Transportation Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), perform preventive maintenance checks and services while competing in a truck rodeo Dec. 29, 2009 on Camp Taji, Iraq.

January has seen explosives still being a problem in Afghanistan. On January 23, ISAF forces operating in the Garm Ser district of Helmand province discovered a large cache of homemade explosives. The estimated 310 kg cache included 36 five liter jugs of explosives and 9 kg of fragmentation.

They destroyed the cache at the site, but there’s more out there. On the same day, in the Arghandab district of Kandahar province, forces discovered another cache of munitions. This one consisted of 38 RPG rounds, eight recoilless rifles and 2,200 rounds of 7.62 mm small arms ammunition.

These may not seem like large weapon caches, but each one we find – every weapon we take out of the enemies hands – the easier it’s going to be going about rebuilding Afghanistan so that they can stand on their own. The Taliban may be talking about public relations changes they want to make, but the casualties tell the story. It’s weapons like the ones found all over Afghanistan in caches like this that are a problem. On their own they don’t seem like much perhaps, but when you put them together, it really starts to add up.

Just a day later, on January 24, 2010, two ISAF service members from the United States were killed in an IED strike in southern Afghanistan.This is why it’s so important to continue to find these small weapons caches and take the battle to the enemy – wherever they might be. Pakistan, Iran or any other nation shouldn’t be a hiding place for these people. The enemy is out there, and slowly but surely we’re taking away their ability to do battle. It’s been a long war so far, but if we continue the way we’re going, victory is certain.

Sgt. Stryker out.

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Combined Action in the Khost-Gardez Pass

(Left to right) Afghan national army Maj. Shapoor Sharafat, engineer officer, 6-1 Kandak, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jonathan Patten, executive officer, 1-40th Cavvalry, 4-25 Infantry Division, ANA Capt. Ghulam Rabani, intelligence officer, and a local interpreter, plan missions inside of the Combined Tactical Operations Center, Combat Outpost Wilderness, Afghanistan, Dec. 26. COP Wilderness is located in the Khost-Gardez pass, which is the most direct route through the mountains from the city of Gardez to Khost and is a key area of combined action efforts between the U.S. and Afghan Army. Staff Sgt. Stephen Otero

Bastogne Warriors Battle Through Scenarios

Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Easton of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division briefs his platoon on the Joint Readiness Training Center mission Jan. 15 at Fort Polk, La. Bastogne Warriors received a Situation Train Exercise to hone in on their skills in preparation for their rotation to Afghanistan. Spc. Richard Daniels Jr.

Operation Enduring Freedom

U.S. Army Pvt. Pygong G. Lim with Bear Troop, 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment takes a position along the wall of an Afghan border police checkpoint in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, Jan. 9. The mission of the Afghan border police is to secure the borders of Afghanistan from infiltration and illegal entry of persons and the smuggling of contraband. (Photo by: Tech Sgt. Francisco V. Govea II)

Soldiers Teach Tractor Inspection

U.S. Army Lt. Col. William T. Ewing and U.S. Army Maj. Jim E. Rush, both with the Kentucky Agri-business Development Team, Task Force Cyclone, teach a student at Al Biruni University how to plow a field using a tractor in Kapisa province, Afghanistan, Jan. 21. The Kentucky ADT mission is to promote agribusiness in Parwan, Pansjhir, Bayman and Kapisa provinces in Afghanistan through providing resources and education. Spc. Charles Thompson

In response to insurgent tactics to place IEDs, the mission of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion recently was to convoy to three designated positions, and build observation posts along the route known as Cowboys. These are just a few more of many OPs that have been built along the notorious route, developing a chain of security leading south along the road. Each post has sight to the next post, and with each new OP comes increased road security.

“Our goal is to get eyes in the structure and to fight and have clear path for us and the people of Afghanistan,” said Staff Sgt. Juan A. Perez, a combat engineer for 2nd CEB. “The people see that were fixing roads and adding protection. It’s good in soo many ways and aspects, and the Marines will have a place if they get engaged.”

Marines worked from early morning to late into the night on a rocky dirt path surrounded by brush, mud houses, and a murky green canal. Shoveling mounds of dirt, placing concertina wire and sawing lumber were just a few of the tasks Marines had to do to build the posts, and although at times fatigue was apparent, the Marines didn’t complain.

“It’s tough but sometimes you just got to push through and get the job done. What gets me through it is seeing everyone come together through that hard work, and getting the mission done,” said Lance Cpl. Sherwin O. Charles, a motor transport operator for 2nd CEB.

Each of the outposts took several hours to create. But after three days of work, three new OPs were completed – manned by infantry Marines. With their work done, 2nd CEB convoyed back to their base on an IED-free route. This is what I like to hear. What about you?

Sgt Stryker – Over and Out.

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Marines Build OPs to Provide Security

Sgt. Jorge A. Lopez, motor transport maintenance for 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, works with a fellow Marine to build a rooftop for an observation post along route Cowboys, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 7. During 2nd CEB’s mission on route Cowboys, three OPs were constructed along the road.

A Marine with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion uses a sledge hammer to knock a wooden beam into the ground, for the construction of an observation post on route Cowboys, in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 6. During their mission on route Cowboys, 2nd CEB constructed three observation posts along the road.

Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion flatten the dirt of a protective wall on a newly constructed observation post on route Cowboys, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 6. During their mission on route Cowboys, 2nd CEB constructed three observation posts along the road.

Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion work into the night constructing an observation post along route Cowboys, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 7. 2nd CEB’s mission included the construction of three observation posts on route Cowboys.

If you know anything about the history of Afghanistan, you know that drugs have played a negative role in the country for many years – hundreds of years. That said, the natives of Afghanistan sometimes are just trying to make a living by raising Poppy plants. Raising drugs is a serious problem, though, as it helps funds Al Queda and other terrorist organizations. And when the bad guys are funded, it puts our brave men and women in harm’s way. And that’s not a good thing.

Luckily, things are progressing in the war against drugs in Afghanistan. On January 7, 2010, Afghan National Police working with ISAF air and ground elements seized more than 800 pounds of opium in Helmand province. Four individuals were arrested in the operation. This just goes to show how many drugs are going through this country and ending up in other areas of the world.

Separately (but very closely linked to drugs in the area), an ISAF patrol operating near Nawah-Ye-Barakzai also in Helmand, discovered a weapons cache including two 155-mm artillery rounds, 15 RPG warheads and other IED making materials. This happened on Saturday afternoon, January 9, 2010. The munitions were safely destroyed by an explosive ordnance disposal team from the area.

As you can see, drugs and weapons are both serious problems in Afghanistan, but they are two problems that the US military and the ISAF is trying to combat. The good news is that they’re being successful, but the bad news is that there’s still a long way to go. By slowly chipping away at the drugs (and money) in Afghanistan, the enemy will have less and less resources to put toward harming US and Afghan citizens who are trying to do the right thing and help the country into the 21st century.

This is Sgt Stryker thanking all the troops in Afghanistan and signing out.

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Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs

An adolescent boy listens in as members of the Ghazni Civil Affairs Team speak with village elders in Qaryeh Ye-Bahktiar, Afghanistan on Jan. 6. Members of Ghazni PRT met with villagers directly following an operation conducted by Afghan National Army soldiers in the village. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Corey

Afghan Government Leaders Join Nawa, Marjeh Citizens in Historic First Meeting

Haji Zahir, district governor of Marjeh, stands as he speaks to the group of men who came together from Nawa’s Shorshorak area and the city of Marjeh for a historic first official meeting of people and government near Forward Operating Base Fiddler’s Green Jan. 8. Leaders from Nawa and Marjeh also listened to the needs of their people and outlined their plans for success in the region. After the discussion they showcased construction projects to the group which were completed by local Afghan contractors. Photo by Sgt. Brian Tuthill

Combined Action in the Khost-Gardez Pass

(Left to right) Afghan national army Maj. Shapoor Sharafat, engineer officer, 6-1 Kandak, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jonathan Patten, executive officer, 1-40th Cavvalry, 4-25 Infantry Division, ANA Capt. Ghulam Rabani, intelligence officer, and a local interpreter, plan missions inside of the Combined Tactical Operations Center, Combat Outpost Wilderness, Afghanistan, Dec. 26. COP Wilderness is located in the Khost-Gardez pass, which is the most direct route through the mountains from the city of Gardez to Khost and is a key area of combined action efforts between the U.S. and Afghan Army. Photo by Staff Sgt. Stephen Otero

Operation Enduring Freedom

A Chinook helicopter fires warning flares before dropping supplies at Combat Outpost Sarkari Bagh, Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, Jan. 9. Photo by Staff Sgt. Christine Jones

WWE Tribute to the Troops took place in December of 2009, as a way to support the troops. It aired on December 19th, 2009 on NBC, although it was filmed in Iraq on December 4, 2009.

“It’s awesome; it’s really our Super Bowl,” said Vince McMahon, chairman of the WWE. “Everyone thinks Wrestle Mania is [the big event], but it’s really not. This is our seventh year over and this is the biggest thing we do all year. We just thoroughly enjoy it. The handshake tour is one thing, but to be able to set up shop and actually broadcast television from here is something special.”

Sgt. Michael A. Carruth, battalion maintenance office clerk with Task Force 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment out of McComb, Mississippi, and a Summit, Mississippi native, said the divas were the highlight of the show, but he enjoyed the visit as a whole.

“As an avid fan of the WWE, it was fantastic,” Carruth said. “I found the superstars of wrestling, and especially Mr. McMahon, to be very humble and friendly. Some went out of their way to say thank you and pose for photos with the troops – very down to earth. I was only able to shake hands and say ‘thank you’ to Mr. McMahon before the show; he said ‘No, thank you for your service.’ It seemed that he was genuinely humble and meant it.”

McMahon said the WWE staff considers the trip to Iraq a privilege, especially because they spend time with troops when their families cannot. He said he wanted to show his support for the men and woman of the armed services.

“This is a small token of our appreciation on behalf of everybody at WWE, on behalf of everybody back home,” said McMahon. “There is no price tag on that; there is no price tag on freedom. We just came over to say thank you.”

Sgt. Stryker would like to take a moment to give a shout out to the WWE for all they’ve done to support the troops.

Sgt. Stryker … out.

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WWE Superstars, Divas Entertain Troops at JBB

World Wrestling Entertainment superstars John Morrison and the Miz perform for the troops Dec. 4 at Holt Stadium at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. WWE superstars and divas came to Iraq to film and perform the “WWE Tribute to the Troops,” which will air Dec. 19 at 9 p.m. Eastern time. Photo by Sgt. Ryan Twist

WWE Superstars Visit Dragon Brigade Soldiers in Iraq

World Wrestling Entertainment superstar, John Cena, tests his skills at firing an M4 carbine assault rifle during a visit to Forward Operating Base Paliwoda, Iraq, Dec. 3. The visit was a part of a three-day WWE Tribute to the Troops tour. Photo by Spc. Shantelle Campbell

WWE Superstars Help Raise Air Cav Morale With Visit

World Wrestling Entertainment superstars Mike “The Miz” Mizanin (left) and JTG (center), sign autographs with Soldiers from the 615th Aviation Support Battalion,1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, here, Dec. 2, as part of a Morale, Welfare and Recreation sponsored WWE visit. Photo by Sgt. Travis Zielinski

Pro Sports MVP Wrestlers Diva’s Visit Troops in Afghanistan

Christy Hemme, former wrestler for the World Wrestling Entertainment, signs an autograph for a Soldier. The WWE Divas of Wrestling signed autographs and took pictures for the troops of Bagram Air Field, March 24, at the Morale Welfare and Recreation Clamshell. Photo by Sgt. Opal Hood