Celebrate Military Spouses` Day May 10 School attendance vital

Transcription

Bamberg
puts
crisis
scenarios
to the
test
See Page 6
Earn expert badge
Earn the Expert Field Medical Badge, or
EFMB, at the Kitzingen training area June
9-21. For details, call 355-8750 or (09321)
3058570.
Experience 3D
Experience 3D movies in English every
Monday at the IMAX movie theater in the
Mainfranken Park, Dettelbach. The spring
schedule is “Welcome to virtual reality” at
6 p.m.; “Siegfried & Roy,” the life and
career of the two world-famous magicians,
at 7 p.m.; “A live geological history of the
Galapagos Islands” at 8 p.m.; “Diving in the
waterworld” at 9 p.m.; and “Back to the
Cretaceous” at 10 p.m. All movies are about
40 minutes long.
Holiday closures set
The vehicle processing center in Schweinfurt will be closed May 20, 27 and 30 for
German and U.S. federal holidays. For
more information, call 353-8011 or (09721)
805169.
Web helps with move
CRUSADER
Vol. 10, No. 9
Serving the 98th ASG and the 235th, 279th, 280th and 417th BSBs – Army communities of excellence
Ansbach • Bad Kissingen • Bamberg • Giebelstadt • Illesheim • Kitzingen • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg
Bed knobs,
broomsticks
Children race through a
parking lot in a handcrafted bed determined to
beat the clock and win a
race. Bed races were one
of many activities organized by child and youth
services staff for more
than 150 children at Roller
Realm Gym April 4. On the
same day, child development center staff moved
their classrooms outside
to assemble arts and crafts
projects and enjoy springlike weather. In addition to
the fun and games, a health
fair geared to children provided information for parents and the 279th BSB
Provost Marshal Office set
up a child identification
services booth.
The Sponsorship Gateway to Europe, or
S-GATE, is a web-based program that eases
incoming soldiers’ transitions to Europe
and makes sponsoring soldiers easier. SGate is a resource for units receiving new
soldiers. For more information, go to
www.sgate.hqusareur.army.mil. To learn
how to sponsor incoming soldiers, send
an e-mail to [email protected].
army.mil.
by Olivia Feher
CRUSADER
See Michael Tait of dc talk and Stacie
Orrico at Leighton Barracks in the fest tent
May 12 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance
and $10 at the door and can be bought in the
main exchange food mall May 11 and 12.
Stacie Orrico is available for autographs
May 13 from 5-6 p.m. at the main exchange
on Leighton. Call (09321) 3058317 for
more information.
Visit seminar
Policy changes
Soldiers with fewer than six months of
Army service remaining can now attend the
Primary Leadership Development Course if
they join an Army Reserve or Army National Guard troop program upon leaving
active duty. For more information, contact
your personnel service center.
Hone road skills
Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Experienced Rider Course May 17 from 9
a.m.-4 p.m. in building 105 at Harvey
Barracks, Kitzingen. For details and to
reserve your spot, call 351-1470 or (0931)
29641470.
Find relief
Join a pregnancy loss support group the
second Wednesday of the month from 34:30 p.m. at Leighton Army Community
Service. For more information, call 3503713 or (0931) 8043713.
Cheryl Boujnida
Federal employee drug
testing starts Sept. 1
See live concert
U.S. military and equivalent-grade U.S.
civilians may sign up for seminars at Haus
Rissen in Hamburg. The seminars, intended
to sharpen political awareness and understanding of German and European relations, are funded by USAREUR/7A, including lodging and meals. Sending organizations will fund travel, residual per diem,
and provide the TDY orders. The one-week
session also includes a city and harbor
sightseeing tour. A seminar for U.S. and
German noncommissioned officers is
scheduled June 2-7, for U.S. company
grade officers and equivalent-grade civilians June 23-28. Sign up by May 14 or May
31, respectively. If interested, call Sigrid
Peña at 351-1400 or (0931) 8891400.
May 10, 2002
Elaine Nicholas
Left to right, David Eggen, Nadine
Dangerfield and Harry Toomey, all biochemical test coordinators, learn how to
use the new kit.
The Civilian Drug Testing Program, which
has been in place for federal employees in the
United States since 1986, will be introduced into
the 98th ASG Sept. 1.
“The program’s aim is to establish a drug-free
federal workplace, and at the same time help
drug users,” said Patricia Johnson, 98th ASG
Alcohol and Drug Abuse control officer.
Both appropriated and nonappropriated fund
federal employees in testing-designated positions will be affected by the random drug testing.
“There are basically four areas in which
testing will be made. They are law enforcement,
covering anyone who is authorized to carry fire
arms; national security, covering anyone with a
top secret clearance or having access to sensitive
information; protection of life and property,
covering those working with nuclear or chemical components, explosives, firefighters and
first responders, and positions in the aircraft
field. The fourth area is public health and safety,
covering drivers of vehicles carrying passengers, trucks and hazardous materiel, those
involved in railroad operations, and all clinic
personnel who provide direct patient treatment
School attendance vital
Department of Defense Dependents Schools Release
As the end of the school year approaches,
many families begin to make plans for pending
permanent changes of station, or PCS, as well as
family vacations.
Department of Defense Dependents Schools,
or DoDDS, has policies and procedures for both
events to assist parents in placing school
attendance high on the agenda when making
transition and vacation plans.
DoDDS supports family vacations throughout the school year that provide culturally enriching experiences for children. Principals have
the authority to grant excused absences from
school to support trips. School officials ask that
parents coordinate with schools in advance to
arrange make-up work and to discuss the timing
and any conflicts that may impact negatively on
a student’s success.
The family vacation policy is not designed to
accommodate early departures from school.
Some families need assistance when a PCS
comes prior to the end of the school year. Prin-
cipals have provided clear guidance on the
DoDDS policy for early withdrawal of students.
The provision for permitting the early withdrawal of students with full credit was based on
careful consideration of the unique circumstances found in the DoDDS system. It recognizes that due to the military necessity,
families are occasionally required to move prior
to the end of the school year and that children
should not be penalized for this.
If families are planning to leave a DoDDS
school before the official ending date of June 13,
the following conditions apply. Students may
not accelerate for any reason other than a PCS
move. Students who are PCSing and accelerating must attend school through May 15 and
have applied for early withdrawal to receive full
credit for the semester.
Upon presentation of PCS orders, students
will be given the acceleration paperwork to
bring to their teachers requesting acceleration
and all of their assignments. Questions about the
policy should be addressed to the school
principal.
for alcohol or drugs.
“Employees occupying such positions will be
subject to random drug testing, or smart testing,
on an unannounced basis as a condition of continued employment,” Johnson said.
In addition to smart testing, other types of
testing can be done if suspicion exists, in the
case of an accident or unsafe practice, or for
follow-up testing.
“Employees can volunteer to have their position placed in the testing-designated position
pool, even if their position doesn’t require it.
Employees will be tested for marijuana, cocaine,
opiates, amphetamines and phencyclidine,” said
Ron Jacob, 98th ASG substance abuse prevention coordinator.
A strict chain of custody will be followed
through the testing and provides legal documentation of the process.
“Every employee found to be using illegal
drugs will be referred to the Employee Assistance Program, or EAP, which is administered
separately,” Jacob said.
For more information, call Johnson at 3514494 or (0931) 2964494, or Jacob at 351-4309
or (0931) 2964309.
Community focus
What consumers buy
wireless gadgets for
O E-mail
50%
O Web surfing
35%
O Online
games
13%
O Stock
market
2%
Connections to the Internet by
phone, pager and personal digital
assistant will become more frequent once cell phone service
gets faster.
Source: Greenfield Online
By: Elaine Nicholas
Celebrate Military Spouses’ Day May 10
2
Team of Teams!
Crusader, May 10, 2002
Doing day-today business
better in our
communities
With the recent Department of the Army’s announcement that
the 417th BSB was named first in the Army Communities of
Excellence Chief of Staff Award, we know we’re moving in the
right direction on how we do business.
We have to be proactive versus reactive and run our communities based on what customers want within resource constraints.
The focus is still on providing high-quality customer service,
which community members deserve and have come to expect. In
order to do that, each of us must know who our customers are.
To be a good problem fixer, you have to be a good listener.
Allow customers to vent their frustrations. Upset customers are
apt to complain about multiple issues that cloud the main
problem. Be patient, polite and courteous. Acknowledging
customers is just as important as listening to them.
Another key is communications with our customers to make
sure we’ve “closed the loop.” If we don’t follow through in
response to customer request, we’ll quickly lose credibility with
Thumbs up – Thumbs down
Thumbs up to SFC Eddie Mitchell,
SSgt. Maurice Gibson, Lt. Scott
Gilliam, and Monica DelValle at the
Harvey Barracks Health Clinic.
Their prompt medical care and genuine concern
for my son’s well-being was greatly appreciated.
Toni Hadley, Kitzingen
difference in our unit. I would like to give a
special thanks to 1st Sgt. Jerry Callaghan for
his commitment to soldiers and their families.
This has brought the unit closer together. You
have been a great asset to us, and the family
support group thanks you for all your support.
Andrea Blair, Kitzingen
Thumbs up to Maj. Kerry Wheelehan and
the staff at the Harvey Tax Center for their
willingness and flexibility when working with
customers. The positive attitude encountered
both on the phone and in person was truly
appreciated.
Linda Pruemer, Wuerzburg
Thumbs up to 11-year-old Dallas Hollin for
coming in second place in the USAREUR
spelling bee competition. You should be very
proud of yourself.
Dale Marshall, Schweinfurt
Thumbs up to Terry Hodges at the AFRC
Vacation Center, Manuela Palma at the USO
in Schweinfurt, and Mumbi Pommer-Straws
and Mark Randall at the Sixt Car Rental,
Leighton Barracks. The U.S. Army Hospital,
Wuerzburg, hosted a welcome reception for 65
reservists, and each of these organizations
supported and helped welcome the new soldiers
to the community.
Elizabeth Starrs, Schweinfurt
Thumbs up to Capt. Kirk Jackson, an MP
from Bamberg. Without his coaching and
guidance at the weapons range, it’s doubtful this
doc would have qualified. It was important as I
was deployed to the Balkans just days later.
Thanks again for all the assistance
Christine Lang,
Camp Able Sentry, Macedonia
Thumbs up to Sgt. Megan Zapf, Rick
Randall and Denise Wentworth for helping me
on a Saturday to obtain an important Girl Scout
medal for my daughter that I forgot to pick up on
Friday. Due to their actions, a scheduled
presentation went as planned.
Toni Hadley, Kitzingen
Thumbs up to all of the wonderful volunteers at Headquarters and Headquarters
Battery, 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery. Your kindness and time has made a big
Street talk:
Jim Richard, 235th BSB Official
Mail Courier, Barton Barracks,
Ansbach
“I invest in the Thrift
Savings Plan and have
stocks for my daughter’s
education. I even have
$100 extra taken out toward my taxes because it
isn’t taxable. This gives
me a bigger return if I’ve
overpaid.”
Thumbs up to SSgt. Cary LeVitre of 560th
Customs, Schweinfurt, for coming in on his
lunch hour to serve me, because “customer
service is our job.” Your dedication and professionalism are greatly appreciated.
Patricia Lamson-Poeschel and family,
Schweinfurt
Thumbs up to Alex Bouggess for your time
and commitment in helping to prepare the
Ansbach junior cheerleaders for their competition. Your talent and hard work truly showed
in the girls’ third-place win out of the 11 teams
competing. We could not have done it without
you.
The Ansbach Youth Services junior
cheerleaders and coaches
Thumbs down to those who simply
cannot park properly at the U.S.
Army Hospital, Wuerzburg. It makes
even thinking about going to the
hospital a nightmare.
Savannah Lark, Wuerzburg
❋ ❋ ❋
“Thumbs up-Thumbs down” is about people who do a
good job. It’s also about people who need to be more
considerate of others. This column is not about institutions,
units, agencies or situations that could be subject to legal
action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Send comments to Thumbs up-Thumbs down:
CRUSADER; 98th ASG PAO; Unit 26622; APO AE 09244.
Or bring them to room 216, building 208, Faulenberg
Kaserne, Wuerzburg. Phone-in submissions will not be
accepted.
DENNIS W. DINGLE
Colonel, Air Defense Artillery
98th Area Support Group
Milestones
Congratulations to Amelia Lohrenz,
279th BSB, for being named the 98th ASG
Youth of the Year. Melissa Palmer, 417th
BSB, was named the runner-up.
Congratulations to Bennie Johnson, 235th
BSB, and Megan Mastrain, 280th BSB, for
being nominated by their BSBs for Youth of
the Year.
Congratulations to SSgt. Erick Macher,
1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment,
Schweinfurt, for being named the V Corps
Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Congratulations to SSgt. Gregory Bremseth,
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 11th Aviation Regiment, Illesheim,
for placing third in the V Corps Noncommissioned Officer of the Year competition. For
receiving third place as the V Corps Soldier of
the Year, congratulations are in order for
Spec. Trevor Gardner, Headquarters and
Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 6th
Field Artillery, Bamberg. Congratulations to
Spec. Justin Hood, Company A, 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, Giebelstadt, for taking fourth place in the V Corps
Soldier of the Year Award competition.
Congratulations to the following employees who have completed 20 years of service
with the U.S. Army: Axel Anders, Gaby
Balfour, Eckhard Bahrdt, Christiane Ballweg,
Rainer Bock, Karl Georg Brand, Alexander
Brehm, Christine Brister, Elizabeth Cook,
Friedolin Dees, Sabine Diener, Elke Dressler,
Werner Einfalt, Winfried Elsler, Elizabeth
Emig, Olivia Feher, Gottfried Fischer,
Manuela Fleissner, Roland Gabert, Walter
Gehring, Thomas Geiss, Ernst Geiling,
Michael Germer, Franz Geubig, Joachim
Graf, Michael Guenther, Thomas Hartwich,
Michael Heinze, Manfred Herberth, Peter
Heusler, Frank Hippler, Peter Hirschberger,
Julius Hoegg, Walter Junker, Albert Koch,
Brigitte Krueger, Egon Lang, Dieter Leist,
Erwin Lindner, Alfred Malter, Peter Malter,
Stefan Mangold, Sabine Matern, Ursula
Mauder, Michele Mincer, Manfred Mueller,
Regina Noeth, Juergen Niedermeyer, Jonathan Payne, Helmut Peter, Manfred Pickl,
Herman Raeder, Christiane Raupp, Franz
Ramold, Guenther Rauch, Dieter Remmel,
Bernhard Roedel, Gisbert Rohn, Andreas
Rost, Manfred Roth, Roland Rother, Jose
Sanchez, Natascha Sandoval-Pfister, Karl
Heinz Saukel, Klaus Schaupp, Roland
Schirber, Uwe Schleglmilch, Ernst Schneeberger, Gabriele Schneider, Elke Sherman,
Brigitta Silva-Keller, Helmut Stubenrauch,
Walter Sturm, Arthur Then, Edmund Vaeth,
Jose Villalta, Otto Vonhausen, Rainer Walter,
Manfred Weschler, Ursula White, Edith
Winchester, Juergen Zapf, Peter Zechow and
Klaus Zoeller.
with the U.S. Army: Maria Assaad, Maria
Bach, Gerlinde Bannert, Franz Beck, Karin
Bogen and Anni Dietz.
Congratulations to the following employees who have completeded 30 years of
service with the U.S. Army: Alexandros
Gouroyannis, Ludwig Hippler, Brigitte Klose,
Sonja Logan, Ursula Mygan and Sameeh
Fahim Nashed.
with the U.S. Army: Oskar Burger, Anita
Bauer, Edgar Englert, Gabriele Curtius, Udo
Englert Rosemarie Fischer-Belgacem, Rudolf
Ferder, Werner Geck, Frieder Fertig, Josef
Grimmer, Walter Greif, Guenter Kistner,
Winfried Greschner, Josef Reuther, Werner
Heinzelmeier, Erika Schrenk, Dietmar Hose,
Werner Trumpfheller, Erich Kapler and
Arlene Kautzmann-O’Neill.
with the U.S. Army: Oskar Hloch, Karin
Kessler, Gerd Landeck and Peter Wagner.
What are you doing to prepare for your retirement?
Spec. Shawn Puhlman, Headquarters and Headquarters
Company, 54th Engineer Battalion, 279th BSB Warner Barracks, Bamberg
“The way for me to plan
for my retirement is to get
a good education. I plan
on going to college and
getting a degree in mechanical engineering or
industrial design.”
Gabriel Fuller, Reorder Associate, BookMark, Leighton Barracks, Wuerzburg
“We just started working
with a financial advisor to
formulate a plan. We’re
on a budget now and investing. It’s especially
important now that we
have a baby coming.”
CRUSADER
Ansbach • Bad Kissingen • Bamberg • Giebelstadt • Illesheim • Kitzingen • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg
Producer: MILCOM Advertising Agency
Roswitha Lehner
Zeilaeckerstrasse 35 · 92637 Weiden
Telefax (0961) 67050-32
Internet:
the very people we serve.
Outstanding customer service is made up of important,
individual actions. Combined, they make the service you provide
truly memorable. Listen, understand and respond to each customer.
Excellence and consistent customer service remain priorities,
and I urge you all to actively pursue and surpass those high
standards we’ve achieved.
Thanks to our soldiers, employees, volunteers and family
members, the 98th ASG continues to improve daily.
My thanks and gratitude go to every member of our great
community. Your hard and dedicated work contributes to making
our communities the best they can be.
Team of Teams!
www.milcom.de
Free classifieds (0931) 2964397 · Fax Crusader (0931) 2964626
SSgt. William Word, Nuclear
Biological and Chemical Noncommissioned Officer in
Charge, 2nd Battalion, 137th
Infantry Regiment, Kansas
Army National Guard
“I contribute to a 401K
plan through my metal
working job back in
Kansas. I also have a
private savings plan.”
Charmaine Jones, family member, Storck Barracks, Illesheim
“We have several funds
that we invest in and have
always regarded saving
for the future a priority.
Every raise we get, we
invest, so we don’t spend
it because we don’t ever
see it.”
Photos by CRUSADER staff
Sgt. Michael Childers, 630th
Military Police Battalion, 279th
BSB, Warner Barracks, Bamberg
“My wife and I are contributing to a Roth Individual Retirement account presently. In the
near future we plan to
join the U.S. Army Retirement Program.”
The “CRUSADER” is an authorized unofficial newspaper, published every two weeks under
the provisions of AR 360-1 for the members of the 98th Area Support Group.
The “CRUSADER” is a commercial enterprise newspaper printed by the “MILCOM
Advertising Agency”, a private firm, in no way connected with the United States
Government or Department of Defense.
The contents of the “CRUSADER” do not necessarily reflect the official views or
endorsement of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army or the 98th
Area Support Group.
The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does
not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense.
Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or
patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status,
physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit characteristic of the
purchaser, user or patron.
Circulation is 21,000 copies per issue.
Editorial content is provided, prepared and edited by the Public Affairs Office of the 98th
Area Support Group. The 98th ASG hot line is 351-4800 or (0931) 296-4800.
The editorial offices are located in building 208, Faulenberg Kaserne, Wuerzburg,
telephone 351-4564 or (0931) 2964564.
Mailing address:
Editor – The CRUSADER, 98th ASG-PAO, Unit 26622, APO AE 09244.
email: [email protected]
Erica Walker, Customer Service
Representative,
BookMark,
Leighton Barracks, Wuerzburg
“We have an Individual
Retirement Account and
some mutual funds. It’s
best to get started now
than wait for later. We
have an allotment for it
and that makes it easier.”
D’Netra Bland, family member,
Headquarters and Headquarters Operations Company,
101st Military Intelligence
Battalion, Leighton Barracks,
Wuerzburg
“We have a savings plan
and an Individual Retirement Account. We are
also preparing for our
daughters’ futures with
mutual funds.”
The Ansbach, editorial office is located in building 5257, Barton Barracks, Ansbach,
telephone 468-7649 or (0981) 183649.
The Bamberg editorial office is located in building 7089, Warner Barracks, Bamberg,
telephone 469-7581 or (0951) 3007581.
The Kitzingen editorial office is located in building 145, Harvey Barracks, telephone 3558575 or (09321) 3058575.
The Schweinfurt editorial office is located in Robertson Hall, Ledward Barracks,
Schweinfurt, telephone 354-6381 or (09721) 966381.
98th Area Support Group Commander . . Col. Dennis W. Dingle
98th ASG Public Affairs Officer . . . . . . . . . Donald Klinger
Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Olivia Feher
Assistant Editor, Graphic Designer . . . . . Elaine Nicholas
Journalist (Ansbach) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lisa Eichhorn
Journalist (Bamberg) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheryl Boujnida
Journalist (Schweinfurt) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Heeter
Journalist (Kitzingen). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proofreader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sigrid Peña
Reader contributions are welcome but will be published at the discretion of the editor.
4
235th Base Support Battalion: Ansbach, Illesheim
Exercise causes
delays
The 235th BSB
will have its annual force protection exercise
May 21-22, affecting all Kasernes.
This two-day exercise is designed
to train personnel
in all aspects of
force protection
and may cause
some delays according to Capt. Christopher
McCreery, 235th BSB S3. To make the
exercise as authentic as possible, simulated
acts of demonstrations, mass casualties and
other elements have been planned. This will
give soldiers the opportunity to react to
these situations in a realistic way. Because
of these varied scenarios, community members may encounter delays coming onto the
various installations and at some agencies
on both days. For more information on the
exercise, call 468-1530 or (0981) 1831530.
New system in place
People needing medical appointments in
the Ansbach community can now book
their appointments online by going to
www.tricareonline.com. The new system
will allow patients to book appointments
without calling the clinic and can be used
for same-day and future visits with primary
care managers. Retiree and well women
examination patients are still required to
contact the clinic. In addition to the
convenience of instantaneous scheduling,
the web site has a lot of useful medical
information. To find out more, call 4672717 or (09802) 832717.
Clinic needs help
The Katterbach Dental Clinic is in desperate need of dental assistants. There are
currently three openings. Please submit
your Resumix through Army Community
Service and drop off a copy at the Katterbach Dental Clinic. For more information,
call Marianne Teubner at 467-2223 or
(09802) 832223.
Celebrate heritage
The 235th BSB will celebrate AsianPacific Heritage Month May 18 at the
Ansbach American Middle/High School
from 2-5 p.m. There will be many cultural
displays, ethnic dances, food, and a Department of Defense show to celebrate
Asian-Pacific culture. For more information, call 468-7333 or (0981) 183333.
Play softball
The 235th BSB Sports & Fitness Branch
needs participants for the 2002 community
women’s softball team. Players can come
from both the Ansbach and Illesheim areas.
If the BSB can’t field 10 players, games
will be forfeited and the team risks being
dropped from the league. For more
information, call 467-2290 or (09802)
832290.
Lisa Eichhorn
These AH-64D Longbow Apaches sit on the helipad at Fort Hood waiting for shipment back to Illesheim, Germany.
Illesheim’s six-shooters return
New Longbow Apaches
soon at Storck Barracks
by Lisa Eichhorn
CRUSADER
Their return has been awaited with great anticipation and excitement since their departure
just one year ago. Equipped with the state-ofthe-art AH-64D Longbow Apache and trained to
use this sophisticated attack helicopter, 6th
Squadron, 6th Cavalry, is headed back to Storck
Barracks in Illesheim.
The advance party will begin arriving in just
over a month, with the entire unit due by the
beginning of August. The unit’s soldiers say
they are eager to come back to their home base
from their current training site at Fort Hood,
Texas, and ready for whatever mission may
come next.
“The whole unit is so excited to go to Ger-
many. This has been a great experience for me
personally, too. I came right out of flight school
to the training here at Fort Hood. It’s so nice to
be able to come to a unit and train every day to
fly like we would in real-world missions. I can’t
wait to get to Germany and go back on line as a
unit,” said CWO 2 Steve Maddux, Troop C pilot.
“We have a great mix of experience in the
unit. About half of us have never been to
Germany or flown Longbows and the rest of us
have, so we compliment each other. It’s really
the same mission, but the Longbow is much
more sophisticated than the A model. Our warfighting capabilities are outstanding and we’re
proud to be the first Longbow unit on line in
USAREUR,” said CWO 2 Dwayne Childers,
Troop C pilot.
As for maintenance, crew chiefs say the Longbow is much easier to work on than the A model.
“This helicopter is a joy to work on. It’s much
more advanced, and with the new crew-station
design and other improvements to the equipment
it’s more efficient to work on. We have had great
luck with our maintenance during our training
here, which means that our pilots have been able
to fly, and that’s what it’s all about,” said SFC
Jason Speede, Troop A.
The unit will be arriving with a new squadron
commander as well as new helicopters. Outgoing commander Lt. Col. Tim Edens has been
at the helm of the unit for more than two years
and will turn over command to Lt. Col. Michael
Barbee on the unit’s traditional day of the sixth
day of the sixth month. He said it’ll be a bittersweet day, but his unit is ready to go.
“We’ve had some great training here at Fort
Hood, and this unit is very ready for whatever
comes next for them. I know they’re going to
live up to the great reputation they’ve earned
over the years. It’s like watching your children
grow up and leave the nest. This unit is definitely
ready to fly,” Edens said.
Joint training teaches proper techniques
by Lisa Eichhorn
CRUSADER
It was a cold, wet spring day when soldiers of
the 12th Chemical Company, Kitzingen, and
from 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry, Illesheim, had
decontamination exercise at the training area in
Oberdachstetten near Ansbach.
The unique thing about this training was their
use of an AH-64 Apache.
“Our job in the Army is to be out front with
tactical units in case they are exposed to chemical agents. If that happens, we’re right there to
decontaminate personnel and equipment, which
includes helicopters. We don’t usually get to
decontaminate an actual aircraft. In fact, there
are some people who have been doing this for 10
years and never worked with a helicopter
before,” said 1st Lt. Koreen Drexler, 12th Chemical Company.
“There are some unique things about a heli-
copter when decontaminating it. For example we
can’t use the same cleansing agent on an aircraft
that we use on other equipment because it could
damage the airframe, so we work with alternative agents. Plus there are some areas on the
aircraft that are sensitive, so we have to be careful where we spray,” Drexler added.
The pilots say the training helped them, too.
“We practiced as close to real-world situations as we could. We wore all our gear as if we
had been exposed to a chemical attack, which is
always good training. Plus, we were able to
show the soldiers from 12th Chemical Company
areas of the aircraft they could clean that they
thought were off limits,” said 1st Lt. Brian
McCort, a pilot with Troop A, 2nd Squadron, 6th
Cavalry.
“The interaction definitely helped both units
learn from each other, and that made it great
training,” McCort said.
Lisa Eichhorn
Soldiers from the 12th Chemical Co.
decontaminate an AH-64 Apache helicopter.
Band welcomes spring
235th BSB
The Crusader, 235th Base Support Battalion, editorial office is located in building 5257, Barton Barracks, telephone 468-7649 or (0981) 183649. Mailing
address is PAO, Crusader, 235th Base Support Battalion, CMR 463, APO AE 09177.
Internet web site address http:\\www.ansbach.
army.mil
The 235th BSB hotline is 468-7800 or (0981)
183800. The patient liaison number is (09841) 83512.
235th BSB
Commander .............................. Lt. Col. Cindy Connally
Public Affairs Officer ............................ Frauke Davis
Journalist ................................................ Lisa Eichhorn
Lisa Eichhorn
The Ansbach American
Middle/High School Band
marches proudly at a
spring parade on
Katterbach Kaserne. This
was the band’s first
appearance in a parade this
year. They were a terrific
crowd pleaser with lots of
cheers as they passed. The
parade is an annual event
to celebrate the coming of
spring. Parade participants
enjoyed the many
community floats and the
kids loved the candy treats
that were handed out.
The Wild, Wild West comes to Storck Barracks
by Lisa Eichhorn
CRUSADER
Lots of hoopin’, hollerin’, bull riding and great country
music will be on hand for this year’s Wild, Wild West
happening in Illesheim May 18.
This old-fashioned western party has become one of the
signature events for the Illesheim Spouses’ and Civilians’ Club,
or ISCC. It’s also one of their biggest fund-raisers each year,
which means more dollars for community organizations and
scholarships, according to Alex Laidlaw, the event’s chairperson.
“We love this event because it’s fun to plan and to participate
in. It’s one event that spans all ranks and
ages and seems to really get the whole
community out having a good time. We
will have the gaming tables where you can
gamble with funny money; the jail, which
is always popular; and the country store,
where you can buy things with the funny
money you win. This year we’ve added an
auction to the fun with lots of great items
like grills, bicycles and a television. We
also have a raffle if you want to use your
real money,” Laidlaw said.
Laidlaw added they are also very ex- Laidlaw
cited about having an authentic country and western band this
year. ISCC didn’t come by this band by chance. They sent talent
scouts out around Germany to listen to different bands so they
would have the best at their event. They found Blue Ridge
Country, who the scouts say is awesome.
“They have a very authentic American country and western sound. They play everything country, from old to new
songs. We had a great time finding them,” said Allison Hynes,
talent scout and ISSC treasurer.
The event will begin at 7 p.m. in the 6th Squadron, 6th
Cavalry hangar. Tickets are $6 in advance or $7 at the door. For
information, call Laidlaw at 467-4500 or (09841) 83500.
6
279th Base Support Battalion: Bamberg
Students nominate
teachers
Bamberg American High School students nominated Tony Serpico and Charles
Brunelle as teachers of the semester for
2001-02. Approximately 275 students
voted and wrote comments in support of
their nomination. Students chose teachers
who had the most influence on them while
attending school. Middle schoolers selected
Serpico because he not only teaches English, but also teaches students about life.
Brunelle was chosen by high schoolers for
being a positive role model interested in
student success.
Bamberg stages crisis scenarios
by Cheryl Boujnida
CRUSADER
The 279th BSB tested the community’s
ability to respond to a variety of crisis scenarios
during a force protection exercise April 18-20.
“It was one of the largest exercises within
USAREUR, based on the level of host nation
support we received. Over 300 local nationals
responded to mock emergency situations,” said
Ron Brooks, plans and operations officer.
A series of planned incidents kept agencies
busy responding to suspicious mail, broken water
lines, a bomb threat, an anti-American demonstration, a weapon discharge, and an attack on
deployed soldiers. The culminating point was a
weapons of mass destruction scenario.
“We rely on German agencies because we
don’t have a fire department or hospital on
Automotive courses
set in Bamberg
The education center will offer automotive technology courses during Term V
June 3-July 26 in conjunction with the
University of Maryland. The first course in
the series is called Introduction to Automotive Technology. Registration is currently underway for the course and for
seven other general college courses. For
3007466.
It’s a snap
Learn about the Safe Neighborhood
Awareness Program, or SNAP, at a meeting
in the Reeltime Theater May 15 at 5 p.m.
For more information, call 469-1600 or
(0951) 3001600.
Take mom to brunch
Enjoy a day out with mom and have
brunch at the Warner Club May 12. Attend
a 10 a.m., 11 a.m. or noon seating. Cost per
person is $11.95 for adults, $9.50 for
children ages 13-17, $6 for children ages 612, and children 5 years and under eat free.
For more information, call 469-8816 or
(0951) 3008816.
Celebrate AsianPacific Month
The library staff invites residents to drop
by during the month of May to view their
Asian-Pacific American book display.
While you are there, pick up a bibliography
of books and Internet sites about AsianPacific Americans. For more information,
call 469-1740 or (0951) 3001740.
Participate in a
partnership march
Join in the 15th annual Upper Franconian
partnership march in Viereth, 20 kilometers
outside Bamberg, May 25 at 8 a.m. Register
at Gasthaus Mainlust in Viereth. March
participants can measure their physical
efficiency skills in a competition. Teams of
four, two German reservists and two American soldiers, will compete for the highest
score. An awards ceremony will follow the
competition. For more information, call
(0951) 32353.
Cheryl Boujnida
A Bamberg fireman tends to volunteer casualties as smoke lingers from an enacted
explosion.
Warner Barracks,” Brooks said.
The semi-annual training exercise enables
279th BSB staff to validate and gain experience
in the implementation of an anti-terrorism and
force protection plan to counter any anti-United
States activity, and it tests U.S. and local national response to a mass casualty emergency.
German agencies responding were the Bamberg
fire department, volunteer fire fighters, emergency doctors, ambulance services, Red Cross,
environmental protection agency, and an emergency response team.
“The exercise is crucial to Germans and
Americans because we both benefit from training. It would be difficult to close a section in the
city of Bamberg off, but we’re able to restrict a
portion of the installation for our needs,” said
Maj. Tony Espinosa, battalion operations officer.
The success of the exercise is hinged on
volunteer support – the Boy Scouts of America
acted as casualties. Devoting more than 40
volunteer hours per week, MSgt. (Ret.) Darryel
Johnson planned, orchestrated and executed the
three-day exercise. “Johnson is instrumental in
our office, and his dedication is commendable,”
Espinosa said.
The elementary school was able to test their
evacuation procedures during a pseudo bomb
threat.
“Our worst case scenario is an actual bomb
going off at the elementary school – there’s over
700 children and adults there. During an evacuation, accountability is key. They did a super
job practicing their procedures,” he said.
Students pledge to remain drug free
by Cheryl Boujnida
CRUSADER
Seventy-nine students pledged to remain drug
and violence free last week.
Graduating from the Drug Abuse Resistance
Education, or DARE, Program, Bamberg Elementary School fifth-graders completed a 17module program April 23.
“I don’t want to mess up my life – I’m staying
away from drugs,” said Zachary Lantz, 11.
Law enforcement officials are mandated to
teach DARE in Department of Defense District
schools. DARE was established by the Los
Angeles Police Department in 1983 as a drug
prevention program to teach kids coping skills.
“The curriculum is fun and informative. If we
continue to educate young kids, they will be able
to resist drugs later. Education is important.
You’d be surprised how much kids know
because of television,” said SSgt. Charles Baker.
Through the aid of workbooks, role-playing
and a written assignment, students learned about
drug effects, resistance techniques, stress man-
agement, risky behaviors and positive role
models.
“They’re at the right age to learn. This is not
only a school program – it’s a life program,”
Baker said.
Students Elise Pyo, Jeremy Scott, Helen
Hackney and Patricia Williamson received gift
certificates for showing the most interest in
classes. A culminating point of DARE was a
youth essay. Winners were Amanda Biggins,
Jacqueline Dallman, Keith Mitchell and Daniel
Rios. First-place winner Biggins, 11, read her
thoughts to more than 150 people.
“No two-minute high can be worth my
dreams. My dreams are the only thing that
matters, and they would be crushed if I hadn’t
taken DARE and had taken a single puff,” she
said.
“It’s hard to resist peer pressure, but students
have learned how to be assertive without being
aggressive. They’re armed with information
now and can take a stand against drugs and
violence,” said Charles Pinsky, educator.
Cheryl Boujnida
Amanda Biggins poses with Sgt. Michael
Casey who donned the DARE mascot
“Darren the lion” costume.
Ballet keeps dancers
on their tiptoes
Members of the Bamberg Performing
Arts Club practice dance routines with
Dr. Delome Greenwald-Schmitt, right
rear. Attend a spring recital at the
elementary school May 18 at 6 p.m.
and May 19 at 4 p.m. Families with
children age 5 and younger should attend the Sunday performance. Parents
are needed to volunteer. To help out at
dress rehearsal May 17 at 4 p.m., call
Beverly Ward at (0951) 3029720. To
contribute finger foods for a reception
May 19, call Heike Hackney at (0951)
9686568. To become a board member,
call Kendall Schellie-Daniels at (09543)
417434.
279th BSB
The Crusader, 279th Base Support Battalion, editorial office is located in building 7089, room 423,
Warner Barracks, Bamberg, telephone 469-7581 or
(0951) 3007581. Mailing address is PAO, Crusader,
279th Base Support Battalion, Unit 27535, Warner
Barracks, APO AE 09139.
3004800. Patient liaison number is (0951) 3007492.
Internet web site 279th BSB:
http://www.bamberg.army.mil
279th BSB
Commander ................................ Lt. Col. Timothy Hill
Public Affairs Officer .......................... Renate Bohlen
Journalist ........................................... Cheryl Boujnida
Cheryl Boujnida
Enjoy, support German-American neighborliness
by Cheryl Boujnida
CRUSADER
If there ever was a right time for neighborliness, it’s now.
German-American activities planned throughout May encourage cross-cultural exchanges. German-American friendship
week is set for May 13-17, and the Volksfest opens May 24 and
continues through June 2 on Warner Barracks.
“This is a time where we can focus on the great friendship the
military community shares with the German community. It’s not
a friendship to be taken for granted – being on good terms with
each other is essential and important,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Hill,
279th BSB commander.
German-American friendship week starts May 13 in Ebrach
with a castle tour and ceremony with guest speaker Brig. Gen.
Michael Combest, 1st Infantry Division assistant commander
for maneuver in Bamberg. The 1st Infantry Division Band will
play in the market square, across from St. Martins Church, May
14 at 11 a.m.
The highlight of the week is planned for single soldiers. Bamberg’s Lord Mayor Herbert Lauer invites 75 soldiers on a city
tour in English and to complimentary dinner of Franconian
cuisine at Altenburg Castle May 16. Lauer personally welcomes
soldiers to their new home and encourages them to take part in
Bamberg sporting events, concerts and cultural activities. Soldiers interested in attending the city tour should contact their
units’ sergeants major.
Hill stressed the value of learning about other cultures. “Get-
ting to know our host nation counterparts strengthens our friendship bonds and makes a tour of duty more memorable and
enjoyable,” he said.
The Volksfest opening ceremony kicks off May 24 at 4 p.m.
with performances by German square dancers, Civil War
enactees, and Bamberg Bear cheerleaders. Combinations of live
music and disc jockey tunes are offered nightly, and families can
ride for half price May 30 from 4-8 p.m.
Sports enthusiasts or walkers will want to take part in a
German-American Volksmarch May 31 from noon-6 p.m.
“Families and soldiers look forward to enjoying fest activities
each year – it’ll be a great time for all,” said Charlemagne
Tertulien, business and recreation division chief.
8
280th Base Support Battalion: Bad Kissingen, Schweinfurt
Town halls set
Training slings troops into action
The 280th BSB will
hold two town hall
meetings, the first of
which is at the Adler
Club on Ledward Barracks May 14 at 6 p.m.
The second meeting is
at the Lighthouse
Chapel Annex in Bad
Kissingen May 21 at 6
p.m. Lt. Col. Timothy
Gorrell, 280th BSB
Gorrell
commander, and his principal staff will
discuss several topics. Among the highlights is the new Safe Neighborhood
Awareness Program, or SNAP, which
allows observation and reporting of crimes
in the community and cooperation among
neighbors. All members of the local
community are invited to the meetings.
by Mark Heeter
CRUSADER
As rotor blades whipped through the air
directly over their heads, students taking part in
sling-load inspection training heaved the heavy
hooks into position under the belly of the
Chinook helicopter.
Forty-five soldiers from several units, including the 299th Forward Support Battalion and the
1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, took part in the fiveday training on Conn Barracks, capped by a
morning of hands-on practice on the Conn Barracks airfield.
“They will be qualified sling-load inspectors
when they graduate,” said Don Lynn, chief of
sling-load training at Fort Lee, Va., who brought
a team of instructors to Schweinfurt to supervise
and teach the material.
“The Army has a requirement now that every
load be inspected, so there is a big need for
inspectors in the Army,” Lynn said.
While watching pairs of soldiers secure a
vehicle to the harnesses under the helicopter,
Lynn explained that the training is non-specific
to any military occupational specialty.
Otherwise-qualified soldiers in the rank of
specialist or above could participate, regardless
of their background.
“They’ve experienced a lot this week. I think
they’ll be better prepared when they go back to
their unit,” said 1st Lt. James Otis, Company A,
299th FSB, who was the officer in charge of the
training.
Otis was a recent graduate of the sling-load
course and expressed his confidence in the teaching staff and what they brought to the students.
“The same instructors that are teaching them
now were my instructors, so I’m very confident
in what they can do,” Otis said.
One of the main challenges facing the students is getting under the helicopter to secure the
load, according to Otis.
“Right now, we’ve got them out here to get
over the fear of being under that helicopter. Your
adrenaline is pumping,” he said of connecting to
the helicopter, which is a physically difficult
maneuver.
“You have to really maintain your balance and
put the pendant reach on the hook,” said 2nd Lt.
Ronald Veldhuizer, one of the students from Co
B, 299th FSB.
School hosts
celebration
The Schweinfurt Middle School will
hold a special Native American celebration
May 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The school’s
students have put together the program as
part of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools’ Engaged Learning Program.
Calling all women
A women’s health and fitness open house
is set at the Finney Sports and Leisure
Center on Conn Barracks May 17 from 9
a.m.-2 p.m. The event includes information
for women about the programs and equipment available at the center, as well as
discussion about breast cancer awareness,
nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Agencies
from throughout the community will be on
hand at the open house to offer evaluations
and testing.
Cyclists sought
for toy run
Motorcyclists are encouraged to come
out for the second annual Schweinfurt Toy
Run and an opportunity to visit foster
homes for children in the area. Participants
in the toy run will gather at the Schweinfurt
market place June 1 at 1:30 p.m. Those
interested in taking part in the ride and
visits should call 0171-7567003.
Shop offers classes
The Wood ‘n Frame Shop in building
242 on Ledward Barracks holds many regularly scheduled classes, including wood
shop orientation and safety, matting and
framing, and veneering chess boards. The
shop is open Tue-Fri from 2-8:45 p.m., Sat
from 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m., and the first and
third Sun of the month from 10 a.m.-4:45
p.m. It’s closed Monday and the first and
third Tuesday of the month and on German
holidays. For details, call 354-6304 or
(09721) 966304.
Photos by Mark Heeter
Sling-load training students prepare hooks that will secure the vehicle on which they
are standing to an incoming helicopter.
A Chinook helicopter takes off with a
Humvee.
Troops put finishing touches on PDP
by Mark Heeter
CRUSADER
The basketball court at the Finney Fitness and
Leisure Center took on a new role the last two
weeks in April, as units from the 2nd Brigade,
1st Infantry Division, used it to complete their
pre-deployment processing, or PDP.
One of the soldiers’ last stops before deployment to Kosovo, the PDP is a consolidated point
for several essential agencies from throughout
the community.
“We’ll have the units come through one at a
time to get everyone checked off,” said 1st Sgt.
David Downing, the noncommissioned officer
in charge of the brigade rear detachment, who
oversaw the PDP operations.
“They can take care of things like wills and
powers of attorney and hit the finance station,”
Downing said.
According to Downing, the PDP also had
stations for the legal center, the personnel services battalion, dental check-ups, mental health
and chaplain services.
“The units can come to one spot and get it all
done,” Downing said, adding that the centralization is especially important here in Schweinfurt, where soldiers receive critical services from
agencies on both Conn and Ledward Barracks.
“The PDP briefing gives the commanders that
last chance to do a final scrub before deployment,” said Lt. Col. Benjamin Everson, executive officer for the brigade, who also serves as
rear detachment commander.
“When the unit has gone through their two
days, they can turn to the division commander
and say, ‘I’m up,’” Everson said.
Auditioning for
Cinderella
Visit web site
Visit the 280th BSB web site at
www.schweinfurt.army.mil to find information on health clinics, schools, community information, phone directories,
housing, and help for newcomers.
A group of children sing during an
audition for a part in a performance of
Cinderella at the Abrams Entertainment Center April 15. Fifty children
between age 4 and 16 landed both
acting and technical roles in the production. The musical was produced
and directed by Amy Magouirk and
Tyler Lindsay from the Missoula Children’s Theater, a non-profit traveling
troupe that teaches children in out-ofthe-way locations life skills such as
discipline and commitment and other
benefits through acting and the arts.
After four days of intensive rehearsals,
the children performed for an audience
at the center April 19.
280th BSB
The Crusader, 280th Base Support Battalion, editorial office is located in Robertson Hall on Ledward
Barracks, Schweinfurt, telephone 354-6381 or (09721)
966381. Mailing address is PAO, Crusader, 280th Base
Support Battalion, CMR 457, APO AE 09033.
964800.
Internet web site 280th BSB:
http://www.schweinfurt.army.mil
280th BSB
Commander ........................... Lt. Col. Timothy Gorrell
Public Affairs Officer ................................ George Ohl
Journalist .................................................. Mark Heeter
Mark Heeter
Students have say in own educational needs
by Mark Heeter
CRUSADER
The University of Maryland and 280th BSB education centers
held an educational planning forum at the Adler Club on
Ledward Barracks April 18.
As part of an effort to bring students into the process of
choosing upcoming course offerings, university and education
center officials invited soldiers and their family members to the
forum.
”I could sit at my desk and draw up something that’s pretty
good, but the best schedule is based on community needs and has
community input,” said Bob Hauer, education services officer
for the 280th BSB education centers.
Field representatives took suggestions and special requests
about the five-term academic schedule of classes posted on the
wall behind them.
“People are bringing comments for this coming term, the
annual schedule and all of next year,” said Becky Sovel, a
university field representative at the Ledward Education Center.
“We want to know what classes they need and want,” Sovel
said.
The education center is always open to customers’ recommendations, but this was a special opportunity, according to
Hauer.
“If we get enough suggestions, we can make subtle
adjustments and people will get what they want,” Hauer said,
adding that this was the first time the education centers had
opened up this type of forum.
“I think it is a good program because it allows the students to
have a voice in the programs they want,” said Sgt. Genevieve
Keeney, who was shopping for the right classes at the right time.
“It’s more like the education center cooperating with the
students to be able to take the classes they need for their degree,”
Keeney said.
417th Base Support Battalion: Giebelstadt, Kitzingen, Wuerzburg
Parents take a break
Parents can enjoy a night out through the
Giebelstadt Child Development Center
May 18 from 6 p.m.-midnight. Registration
deadline is May 15 and the cost is $12.
Children must be registered with child and
youth services. For more information, call
central registration at 355-2876 or (09321)
3057290.
Learn German
with G-A society
The German-American Society of Wuerzburg offers German classes starting May
14. Classes are Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m.
and include a field trip. Call Gisela Walther
at (0931) 286375 for more information.
Volunteer for
triathlon
The 12th Aviation
Brigade at Giebelstadt
Army Airfield once
again hosts a triathlon
June 22. Volunteers
are needed to help
with water points, assist at the registration
table, direct athletes,
and more. For more
information, call Maj.
Mark Patterson at 352-6130 or (09334)
876130. To register for the triathlon go to
www.12thavnbde.army.mil.
Be a square
The Kitzingen Arts and Crafts Center
offers a do-it-yourself framing class Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. For more information, call 355-8390 or (09321) 3058397
or e-mail [email protected].
Have a healthy baby
The American Red Cross offers a healthy
baby, healthy pregnancy class Tuesdays
from 6-8:30 p.m. from May 14 through
June 18. To sign up, call (0931) 8891760.
Become a rep
for BOSS
9
Boy Scout
aids out-ofsight mission
Daniel Ohlsen, 14, front center, with
help of fellow scouts sorts through
some of the donated glasses he has
received. As part of his Eagle Scout
project, Ohlsen started collecting
donated glasses to support the 1st
Infantry Division Optometry humanitarian effort in Bosnia. The optometry
clinic will test and distribute the glasses once in Bosnia. Collection boxes
were situated throughout the 98th
ASG, and over 400 pairs of glasses
have been collected. Ohlsen has four
more badges to earn and then must
face a board that will decide if he meets
all the guidelines to become an Eagle
Scout.
Elaine Nicholas
Avoid credit card fraud, waste, abuse
by Linda Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
Defense officials are on the trail of those who
haven’t paid their government travel credit card
bills or who have misused government purchase
cards.
“Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is moving forcefully to correct department travel and
purchase-card problems, which he considers to
be very serious,” said Dov Zakheim, Department of Defense, or DoD, comptroller.
Zakheim said a task force made up of the DoD
Inspector General, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, or DCIS, and representatives
from the Office of Personnel Management, the
Justice Department, and the Office of Management and Budget will investigate and punish
wrongdoers, develop reforms, improve training,
and increase senior management enforcement.
DoD has issued about 1.4 million travel credit
cards to individual employees and servicemem-
Better Opportunities for Single Servicemembers, or BOSS, offers travel and
friendship. BOSS representatives meet
every first and third Thursday of the month
at the Endzone, building 484, Larson Barracks, Kitzingen. For more information,
call Chris McBeth at 355-8629.
bers. Last year, cardholders charged more than
$3.4 billion using the cards.
The current delinquency rate on travel cards
is 11.7 percent. Accounts are considered delinquent when payment is not made within 60 days.
Punishment for card misuse, fraud and abuse
includes termination of DoD employment, imprisonment, probation, restitution, fines and
demotion, officials said.
The DCIS has 17 open investigations involving 90 persons allegedly involved in credit card
fraud.
“The point is, we do prosecute, we do get
convictions, and people do pay either in jail
time, in money, or both.
The issue is not to eliminate the cards – that is
going backwards. What we’ve got to do is
prevent misuse. No abuse is acceptable,” Zakheim said.
“Defense officials are looking at ways to
make both individuals and supervisors respon-
sible for fraudulently charging credit cards. The
best way to encourage people to do things properly is if they know it’s ultimately going to
come out of their pocket,” Zakheim said.
Officials are considering making credit card
abuse a specific offense under the Uniform Code
of Military Justice, increasing prosecution and
possibly using state and local courts to prosecute
offenders.
Consequences are:
A Florida man pleaded guilty to placing
fraudulent charges on 13 government credit
cards. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail and
36 months probation, and ordered to pay
$262,840 in restitution and other fees.
A Virginia man must pay $400,200 in restitution after pleading guilty to bribing Joint Staff
Supply Service employees into buying office
supplies from his company with their government credit cards. He was sentenced to 27
months in jail followed by 36 months probation.
Intense, real training
supports deployment
Learn to discipline
by SFC Miguel Contreras
1st Infantry Division Preventive Medicine
The 417th BSB Family Advocacy Program offers parent education classes May
22 from 9 a.m.-noon. For more information
or to sign up, call 350-7103 or (0931)
8897103.
417th BSB
Elaine Nicholas
The Crusader, 417th Base Support Battalion, editorial office is located in building 109, Harvey Barracks,
telephone 355-8575 or (09321) 3058575. Mailing
address is PAO, Crusader, 417th Base Support Battalion, Unit 26124, APO AE 09031.
3058999.
Phone numbers for patient liaisons are: Kitzingen,
355-8415 or (09321) 3058415; Wuerzburg and Giebelstadt, call the 67th Combat Support Hospital, 350-3874
or (0931) 8043874.
417th BSB
Commander ..................................... Lt. Col. Russ Hall
Public Affairs Officer ........................... Gabriele Drake
Journalist ............................................
Wuerzburg community
celebrates Earth Day
Lt. Col. Russ Hall, 417th BSB commander, with Christian Baumgart,
head of the Wuerzburg municipal
engineering department, and students from local German schools
learn about a crocodile from the
Congo and aspects of its life during
the 417th BSB Earth Day celebration
April 24 on Leighton Barracks.
1st Infantry Division’s Preventive Medicine,
or PM, has been doing intense, realistic force
protection training in its effort to promote a
safe and healthy Kosovo Force, or KFOR, rotation.
Throughout the months of December, January
and February, soldiers from 1st Inf. Div. PM
took part in the KFOR readiness training at
Camp Robertson in Schweinfurt, Harvey Barracks in Kitzingen, and at the Hohenfels Training Area.
During the mission readiness exercise, or
MRE, training, PM soldiers were trained on
force protection skills like mine probing, reacting to snipers, ambushing vehicles, searching
procedures with hostile passengers, and protocol
for Kosovo visitors.
1st Inf. Div. PM soldiers also participated in
a medical proficiency exercise, or MPE, with
the 67th Combat Support Hospital and 255th
Medical Detachment. The PM team learned how
to combine 1st Inf. Div. PM primary mission
directives with those of 255th Medical Detach-
ment by learning the individual units’ operating
procedures and daily missions, and working in
integrated teams to accomplish any given mission.
As part of their evaluation, the 1st Inf. Div.
PM team was given real-world, missionoriented scenarios that they could encounter in
Kosovo.
To enhance their preventive medicine technical proficiency, the Europe Industrial Hygiene
section gave advanced industrial hygiene training to the PM team. The PM team learned the
latest industrial hygiene findings at Kosovo
bases. Technical subject areas discussed were
respiratory protection, hearing conservation,
chemical gases detection equipment training,
and noise surveillance techniques.
To complete these scenarios, soldiers had to
do investigations, gather reports, solve problems, and maintain PM surveillance in the area
of support.
The hallmark of all their efforts will come to
fruition when they deploy, sustain, and redeploy
healthy and with the mission successfully accomplished.
Army dumps microfiche, goes with online system
by Kevin Larson
Army News Service
The Army is saying good-bye to an old mainstay. After years
of service, the microfiche system used by personnel units and
soldiers to keep tabs on their careers is going the way of the
dinosaur and dodo bird.
The online official military personnel file, or OMPF, will
completely replace the old microfiche system by next year.
“Over the coming months, the Total Army Personnel Command plans on pulling microfiche in phases,” said Theresa
McGuire, Officers’ Records branch chief.
The first phase will be to stop sending microfiche to soldiers
in the field, followed by eliminating the readers and associated
accessories from PERSCOM, McGuire said
She said the personnel system should be completely electronic
by next year.
“The OMPF for every soldier is currently online on a test-run
basis. By June 1, those records will be available to access,”
McGuire said.
Previously, only majors, captains, sergeants first class and
staff sergeants being considered for promotion had access to
their online files. Currently, the OMPFs for soldiers eligible for
promotion to lieutenant colonel or master sergeant are available
online.
“The old microfiche readers will become turn-in equipment,”
McGuire said.
“What we’re trading in is a horse-and-buggy, and we’re not
getting a Model A, we’re getting a new Chevy,” said Col.
Howard Olsen, the Enlisted Records and Evaluation Center commander.
“Replacing the old microfiche system with an online system
is monumental. We’re empowering the soldier to have greater
participation in career management,” Olson said.
“Under the old system, soldiers had to write letters requesting
a microfiche copy of their records,” McGuire said.
Soldiers then had to wait four to six weeks for the microfiche
to come in the mail.
“Then you had to find a microfiche reader, and those are hard
to find,” McGuire said.
With the online system, soldiers will be able to log onto their
Army Knowledge Online account and view their records to make
sure everything is correct and complete.
“It’s going to allow people to update records in a day or two,”
McGuire said.
Promotion boards will also access soldiers’ files via the online
system.
McGuire said her branch has been spending $50,000 on film
and developing materials, mailing costs and other microficherelated expenses.
“The price tag for providing microfiche records to enlisted
soldiers was about $350,000 a year,” Olsen said.
10
Child restraints can save lives
Proper use, installation
keeps children safe, alive
by Elaine Nicholas
CRUSADER
Parents are made aware of the importance of child restraint seats from early
pregnancy, and in most cases, newborn
babies can’t be taken from the hospital
without hospital staff seeing the car seat.
The 98th ASG Provost Marshal Office,
or PMO, inspected vehicles April 13 to
survey parents’ know-how on the use of
child restraint seats.
The inspection lasted four hours and 51
seats were inspected. Out of the 51, one was
on the recall list and the parents didn’t Cowan
know.
“Parents know the basics of child restraint safety, but they
don’t usually know the nuts and bolts. During the check, 37 seats
were improperly installed and 8 were in the incorrect position,”
said MSgt. Dale Cowan, 98th ASG PMO, who is a certified child
restraint seat technician.
Children die every year due to either improper installation, or
they die because they are not restrained at all.
“The importance of using the appropriate child car seats and
their installation can’t be overemphasized. A car seat is not ‘one
size fits all.’ There are specific child car seats for different age
groups and needs,” said Ollie Parducho, 98th ASG safety
manager.
In 1998, 1,772 children died as occupants in vehicles, and 61
percent of these children were not properly restrained.
“Car seats have limitations that parents must know and follow
to protect their children in case of a car accident,” Parducho said.
“Of all unintentional injuries related to children, 42 percent
are due to motor vehicle crashes. But with the use of a child car
seat, these numbers drop significantly. With infants age 0-1 there
was a 71 percent decrease in deaths when child car seats were
used, and the deaths decreased by 54 percents for toddlers,”
Cowan said.
Army and Air Force Exchange Service folks were on hand to
help, too. They donated seven car seats to those parents who
didn’t have correct seats or had one of the recalled ones. The
417th BSB Community Spouses Club also donated $1,200
towards the purchase of car seats.
‘Car seats have limitations that
parents must know and follow to
protect their children.’
– Ollie Parducho
Cowan offers these tips to parents:
● Make sure the child is tightly secured in the seat. If you can
pull the seat forward or backwards an inch or more, it’s too loose.
● If the shoulder straps are more than one finger width
between the straps and the shoulders, they’re too loose.
● Read the manual and familiarize yourself with the three
types of car seats and how to restrain children.
Knowing what kind of seat you have impacts how the child is
restrained.
“Anyone can call me if they have questions, and if they are in
the Wuerzburg area and need their seat inspected, I’ll do it. They
can call me at 351-4729 or (0931) 2964729,” Cowan said.
Elaine Nicholas
Dawn Woodsin, a certified child passenger safety
technician, shows John Iverson how to properly place
his son in his car seat.
Mogadishu mission selected for analysis, critique
by Capt. Marc Gaguzis
601st Aviation Support Battalion
It is not always easy selecting a professional
military topic to analyze, discuss and critique.
This can be especially difficult when one is a
relatively young and inexperienced Army aviation captain that has never been in a hot spot or
seen combat. Nevertheless, I have chosen to
discuss the shortfalls and successes of the U.S.
Special Forces in Mogadishu Oct. 3, 1993.
The mission, run Oct. 3 by Task Force
Ranger, 160th SOAR, and elements of Delta
Force, provides an excellent point of discussion
for all branches of the Army, Infantry and
Aviation alike.
The operation was a complex, dangerous as-
signment combining elements of both conventional ground forces and special operations elements, closely integrated with and supported by
aviation assets in an urban combat environment.
Despite several setbacks and personnel losses,
the mission to secure two lieutenants and other
officers from the warlord Muhammad Farrah
Aidid was accomplished against overwhelming
odds.
Superior training and selfless service of the
ground forces as well as soldier initiative and
flexibility served as the primary factors supporting the mission’s success. While it is difficult to label a mission with over a dozen
casualties successful, the individual soldier
training, ingenuity and internalization of the
Army values were paramount in allowing U.S.
Forces to defeat a well-armed, seemingly insurmountable force, and in doing so preserved
the lives of almost one hundred Rangers from
the lost convoy.
Training is what separated the young American soldiers from the Somali masses. One might
argue that the armament and technology
gradient is what brought success to U.S. Forces.
Although it is difficult to argue that American
firepower did not provide a presence all its own,
it was the training aspect that enabled the
severely outnumbered U.S. Forces to fend off
the hordes of a well armed, but untrained Somali
militia.
Another key to mission success rested solely
on the soldiers’ concept of selfless service.
SFC Randy Shughart and MSgt. Gary Gordon
served as the perfect illustration.
After the second helicopter was shot down,
another Blackhawk with Gordon and Shughart
on board was dispatched to provide cover from
above. Blackhawk Super 62 came under withering fire, and the two sergeants instinctively
understood that if the downed crew was to stand
a chance of survival, someone would have to get
them on the ground to secure the site and provide
protection until the arrival of a ground force.
Shughart and Gordon selflessly volunteered
several times to be inserted but were denied.
(Editor’s note: This is the first part of a two-part
article.)
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11
Tae kwon do reaches new heights
by Roger Teel
U.S. Army Hospital, Wuerzburg
When tae kwon do Eternal Grand Master
H.U. Lee left Korea and came to America in
1973, he envisioned academies across the nation
where his lessons of respect and self-discipline
could be shared.
Tae kwon do did take root in America, and
now more than 150,000 members belong to the
American Tae Kwon Do Association, or ATA.
In Wuerzburg, Randy Clements, his wife
Suzette, and sons Bret and Bryan have taken the
grand master’s dream one step further. They’ve
exported the ATA to Germany.
The Clements’ ATA academy caters to U.S.
community members living here, and, according
to Clements, it’s the largest tae kwon do academy in Europe. As membership nears 75
dobok-wearing disciples, the academy is a youth
services-sponsored activity – one for the whole
family to get involved in.
“I had five students when we started, and our
first class was in the maid’s room above our
quarters,” Clements said.
Times have changed.
At the 2nd annual Black Belt Extravaganza
April 27, the five original members – and eight
others – donned black belts and left their instructor struggling for words. Roughly 10 percent of all who enter tae kwon do attain black
belt status, the culminating step of the discipline.
“It means so much to see these people achieve
this,” a tearful Clements told the crowd of 300 at
the Leighton Fitness Center. “And believe me,
they’ve earned it.”
The five original members are: Christine and
Paul Mayer, Haleigh and Korey Tighe, and
Frank Zepp.
Testing, which incorporates displays of form,
sparring and board breaks, was evaluated by
Photos by Roger Teel
New black belt James Bagwell, front,
leads Yulia Jackson and Robert Dufrin
through their form.
Korey Tighe gets a congratulatory hug
from his mom, Susan, after the black belt
extravaganza.
The four Hodges – Eric, Sandra, Mark and Ian – pose with Master Jay Kohl, a former
ATA world champion and sixth degree black belt who judged their black belt testing.
Master Jay Kohl, a sixth degree black belt and
former world champion from the ATA national
headquarters in Little Rock, Ark.
“The Clements’ academy is exactly what
Eternal Grand Master Lee had in mind,” Kohl
said after spending five days with Wuerzburg
athletes, instructing academy sessions at the
middle school gym and talking to members
about other important things relating to martial
arts.
“These people are involved in an experience
that they will take with them the rest of their life.
It’s more than kicking and sparring; it’s about
respecting each other and finding self-discipline
and balance in all that you do,” Kohl said.
The four Hodges – Mark, Sandra, Eric and Ian
– knotted their black belts together.
“The only other time I’ve heard of this is
when we got our belts,” said Clements. He,
Suzette, Bret and Bryan earned black belts in
1998, shortly before they came to Germany.
Clements earned instructor status and then
petitioned the national headquarters for permission to start his academy.
Others tying on black belts are: Ariel Aiken
(who also has a black belt in kenseido), James
Bagwell (a 1st Infantry Division lawyer), Aaron
Lane (an eighth-grader at Wuerzburg American
Middle School), and Michael Rabon (now 11,
who began tae kwon do at age 7.)
“I couldn’t do this alone,” Clements said of
the academy’s success. “I have the easy job. I get
to do all the talking. Suzette keeps things together – the books and administration, calling
people, and just getting things done. She tells me
what I have to do. Bret is our senior instructor
and captain of the demo team. The two of them,
and Bryan, kept the program going when I deployed last year. Other senior people in the
academy also helped keep the program alive, so
it really is a family affair.”
Bryan, who’s taken a few months off, recently
told his father he wanted to start training again.
“That makes me proudest of all,” Clements
told members and parents at a gathering after the
extravaganza.
“Tae kwon do, I think, is all about being part
of the family,” he said.
Roundup
Join fun run
The 235th BSB fitness coordinator sponsors a
fun run for the community May 18. Preregister
at the fitness centers at Katterbach or Illesheim
during normal operating hours. Register at the
event between 9 and 10 a.m. The run begins at
the Katterbach Fitness Center at 10:30 a.m. For
832771.
Take a dive
The 235th BSB Outdoor Recreation Center
sponsors a trip to Vicenza, Italy, for a scuba
diving certification course May 24-27. The cost
is $299 and includes round-trip transportation,
camping equipment and the certification course.
For more information or to sign up, call 468-
7600 or (0981) 183600.
Sign up for camp
The Bamberg Child and Youth Services Program offers extreme summer fun at Summer
Camp 2002. Youth will go white-water rafting,
rappelling, hiking, cycling, visit amusement
parks, learn photography, and play sports. Camp
runs from June 17-Aug. 23. Cost each week is
$50 per student. Soccer camp is $25, a trip to
Garmisch is $95. Registration is currently
underway. To sign up, call central registration at
469-7716 or (0951) 3007716.
Play softball
The Bamberg JFK Physical Activity Center
hosts a Memorial Day softball tournament invitational May 24-27. Registration for the Inde-
pendence Day unit-level softball invitational
starts May 28. For more information, call 4698890 or (0951) 300-8890.
hancing the workout. The group walks indoors
in inclement weather. For more information, call
353-8234.
See vineyard, hike
Archery Range open
The Schweinfurt Outdoor Recreation Center
in building 50 on Conn Barracks sponsors a
vineyard hiking trip to Zeilitzheim May 19. Departure from the center is set for 1 p.m., and the
return to Conn Barracks is 5 p.m. Preregistration
and minimum participation are required. Call
353-8080 or (09721) 968080.
The Rod and Gun Pro Shop in the Woodland
Inn, Harvey Barracks, Kitzingen, has an operational archery range with equipment available.
For more information, call 355-8609 or (09321)
3058609.
Speed walk at Finney
The Finney Sports and Leisure Center on
Conn Barracks sponsors speed walking on Tuesdays. The schedule alternates between day and
evening classes, which includes tips on en-
Tee off
Join the 98th ASG commander for the Commander’s Golf Tournament June 15 at the Kitzingen Golf Club. Registration deadline is June
9. Cost is $25 or Euro 30. For more information,
call 351-1340 or (0931) 8891340.
Students kick into high gear in Schweinfurt
by Mark Heeter
CRUSADER
You either break the board or you break your
toes.
Those were the words of wisdom Georg
Kampitsas sent with his student Susan Rather
when she tested for her green belt in tae kwon
do.
“I started out not knowing anything, and now
I’m working toward my blue belt,” Rather said,
crediting her teacher and classmates with
helping her advance through the ranks.
Kampitsas is an internationally recognized
martial artist who holds 22 black belt degrees in
several martial arts, including tae kwon do,
Okinawan karate, stick fighting and all-fights
martial art.
“My body is old, but my heart is young,”
Kampitsas said with a laugh as he prepared for
another class working with soldiers, civilians
and family members, having taught classes for
30 years already.
“For me, everyone is the same. I don’t care if
they are civilian or military,” he said.
A native of Greece who has been living in
Germany for 42 years, Kampitsas barks crisp
commands as his students move around the
multipurpose room in the Finney Sports and
Leisure Center on Conn Barracks in Schweinfurt. He also teaches at the Katterbach Ele-
mentary School.
“This is good for self-defense, and it also
gives the kids character development,” said
Kampitsas, who especially enjoys working with
youngsters.
Tae kwon do is not only about kicking and
punching, but also includes stretching exercises
and forms, which are choreographed combinations of moves.
“The hardest thing about tae kwon do is trying
to memorize all the forms,” said Justin Ross
from 1st Battalion, 77th Armor, in Schweinfurt.
“It’s fun. Since I’m a black belt, I get to teach,
and I love to teach the little kids,” Ross said.
Members of the tight-knit group encourage each
other when they are called upon to demonstrate
their skills.
“We’re like family here. It’s been fabulous,”
Rather said.
Kampitsas, a grand master, tries to give his
students everything he has learned over the
years.
“Tae kwon do is my way of life, and I teach
my own people the same, just like I had learned
from the Korean instructors,” Kampitsas said.
Classes are held in the Finney Sports and
Leisure Center on Conn Barracks Mon and Wed
at 5 p.m., and at the Katterbach Elementary
School Tue and Thu at 5 p.m.
Mark Heeter
Susan Rather hurls Justin Ross to the ground as instructor Georg Kampitsas,
standing behind, and other students watch during a tae kwon do class.
12
Health & Fitness
This soldier CARES
Sgt. Willette Odom
from the pharmacy at
the U.S. Army Hospital, Wuerzburg, is
the April CARES
award winner. Odom
encountered a family
whose car had broken
down at Leighton
Barracks front gate.
The family was in the
midst of clearing for
Odom
their return to the
United States. Odom gave the family a ride
to the hospital, and after learning of their
situation, loaned them one of her two cars
for their last few days in Germany. The
grateful family said Odom’s kindness will
stay with them forever. Odom said she had
no second thoughts about helping the
family and only hopes someone will repay
her with the same type of kindness in the
future. The CARES award, which stands
for Compassionate, Attentive, Responsive
and Enthusiastic Service, is presented
monthly to any soldier, civilian, or local
national, regardless of occupation, who is
within the scope of employment with the
organization, to include contractors.
Discipline your child
A child discipline class for parents of
children age 2-12 is offered at the U.S.
Army Hospital, Wuerzburg, pediatric clinic. The class lasts about two hours. Dates
and times for upcoming classes are: Friday,
May 31, from 1 p.m.: Tuesday, June 11,
from 10 a.m.; and Wednesday, July 31, from
1 p.m. Call the pediatrics front desk at 3503771 or (0931) 8043771 to ask about the
class or schedule an appointment. Families
should not bring their children to the class.
By appointment only
Pediatric care at the U.S. Army Hospital,
Wuerzburg, is now by appointment only.
Appointments are from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45
p.m., Mondays through Fridays. You may
book appointments starting at 7 a.m. daily
by calling 350-3771 or (0931)8043771.
Check your pressure
May is National High Blood Pressure
Month. Unchecked, high blood pressure
can be the cause of heart attacks, strokes,
and kidney and eye problems. High blood
pressure has been linked as a contributing
factor in more than 500,000 deaths each
year in the United States, so check your
blood pressure soon.
Women’s open house
A women’s health and fitness open house
is slated for May 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
at Finney Fitness Center on Conn Barracks
in Schweinfurt. Participants are eligible for
prizes and gift baskets. For more information, contact Adelaina Soviak, 98th ASG
Health Promotion Office at 350-7276 or
(0931) 8897276.
Health & Fitness
Health and Fitness is a monthly supplement to the CRUSADER co-sponsored by
the 98th ASG and the U.S. Army Hospital,
Wuerzburg. Editorial office is in the U.S.
Army Hospital, Wuerzburg, room 4NE10,
phone 350-2296 or (0931) 8042296.
Mailing address is Commander, U.S. Army
Hospital, Attn: Public Affairs Office, Unit
26610, APO AE 09244.
Hospital
Commander .................. Col. Ray Tomkins
Public Affairs Officer .............. Roger Teel
Health Promotion
Coordinator ..................... Candance Jones
98th ASG Health
Promotion Coordinator .......... Kym Ocasio
Health fair slated for retirees
Medical, dental forces
join to promote health
by Roger Teel
Wuerzburg Hospital will open its doors to
area retirees and their spouses June 1 as local
medical and dental activities host their 5th annual Retiree Health Fair.
The health fair begins at 8 a.m., and attendees
are advised to come early and enter through the
hospital’s emergency room entrance. Activities
end at 2 p.m.
Expanded services
According to project officer 1st Lt. Robert
Fredregill, this year’s event offers expanded
services, most notably greater dental service.
Retirees will be offered a routine screening as in
the past, but may also schedule same-day appointments for cleanings and minor restorations,
such as replacement fillings.
“The cleanings and restorations will be done
on a space-available basis. Our command really
supports this and wants to provide this service to
anyone who needs it,” said Carol Bartoschek,
health promotion coordinator for the dental
activity.
“Use of the dental clinic on Leighton Barracks has allowed us to offer the cleanings and
restorations,” Bartoschek added. She said retirees must first come to the hospital to be
screened and not go directly to the dental clinic.
Personal services set
According to Fredregill,
an array of medical and
personal services will be
available.
“The 38th Personnel
Services Battalion’s identification card section on
Leighton Barracks will be
open to issue ID cards to
retirees and spouses who
need them,” he said.
Members of the 1st In- Fredregill
fantry Division’s Judge Advocate General will
be on hand to process information for wills and
powers of attorney, and also advise on advanced
directives.
Details for early lab draws are still being
worked, Fredregill added.
“As in the past, retirees in the 98th and 100th
ASGs should check with their local health clin-
ics. If early draws become part of the plan, blood
samples should be drawn two weeks before the
health fair. That way the results will be available
when the retiree speaks with the doctor,” he said.
Mammography screenings are also planned,
though details were unavailable at press time.
The hospital dining facility will be open for
breakfast and lunch.
Records are vital
The hospital records section will open to issue
records. Retirees from outlying areas should
bring their medical records with them.
Retirees should also bring a list of medications they are currently taking, to include
doses and frequency of use.
Other health fair services include: Tricare
information, third party insurance, asthma/
allergy, diabetes, physical therapy, occupational
therapy, glucose/cholesterol/blood pressure,
prostate cancer screening and self testicular
exam, breast cancer screening and breast selfexam, optometry, audiology, nutrition, pharmacy, psychiatry, tobacco cessation, Red Cross,
and back adjustments.
For more health fair information, contact
Fredregill at 350-3808 or (0931) 8043808, or
Candance Jones at 350-2202 or (0931) 8042202.
New methods battle cervical cancer
by Rick Sonntag
U.S. Army Medical Command
Female beneficiaries of Army health care will
soon benefit from the newest, most effective
technologies in the battle against cervical cancer.
The U.S. Army is the first military service to
start a worldwide conversion to liquid-based
cytology, or LBC, for cervical cancer screening
and is now adding human papillomavirus, or
HPV, DNA testing to clarify inconclusive
results.
The two tests, known by their commercial
names of ThinPrep and Hybrid Capture 2, can be
done in one simple procedure.
They are being used in 19 of the Army Medical Command’s medical treatment facilities,
where Pap smears are currently processed.
These include eight major medical centers and
11 Army community hospitals in the United
States, Europe and Korea. Army officials emphasized that patients using smaller facilities,
which send their tests to one of the 19 processing
centers, also have access to this new technology.
The Army’s medical facilities should have a
100 percent conversion to the new technology
by the end of May 2002.
“The ThinPrep Pap test and HPV testing are
being widely adopted in civilian medical
institutions and, after a careful review of existing
technologies, we believe that these tests offer
significant benefits for both military personnel
and their family members,” said Lt. Gen. James
B. Peake, Army Surgeon General.
WHSA members support community
by Roger Teel
The WHSA promotes social, recreational and
educational interests of the Wuerzburg comTheir name is a bit vague – the Wuerzburg munity. They financially support community
Health Services Auxilliary, or WHSA – but their projects deemed worthwhile by their executive
board, without competing with appropriated or
purpose is clear.
nonappropriated fund activities.
WHSA President Monica
Prahinski said the group has
nearly 60 members, and added
WHSA is open to people from
medical services-related professions, both enlisted and officers,
as well as their adult family
members. Membership is also
extended to non-U.S. Forces
personnel. She said members
from any 98th ASG community
will be accepted.
“We raise funds several ways.
Our primary source is ‘First
Foto,’ a newborn picture service
at the hospital.
Monies also come from the
Wuerzburg Community Spouses’
Club, bake sales and other
donation-based activities. For
example, we raised nearly $500
from entry fees and raffle tickets
at the annual Breast Cancer
Awareness 5k fun run/walk last
year,” Prahinski said.
First Foto, chaired by Karen
Saponari and a team of volunteers, in conjunction with the
organization’s Ways and Means
Program, chaired by Allison
Michaud, raised more than
Roger Teel
$2,300 for distribution to
Monica Prahinski helps a participant fill out his raffle various departments throughout
the U.S. Army Hospital,
ticket at last year’s breast cancer awareness fun run.
U.S. Army Hospital
Wuerzburg.
Donations included $250 to the family
practice clinic for a model of a breast for selfexams, $200 to obstetrics/gynecology for breast
self-exam materials, $900 for T-shirts for newborns, $100 to educational and developmental
intervention services, or EDIS, for a children’s
Christmas party, $200 to the allergy clinic for
water for patients, $545 to preventive medicine
for a lactation and weight scale, and $45 to the
Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer
awareness.
“We also have a calendar full of social and
educational events that support hospital and
community functions,” Prahinski said.
“Beth Starrs, our monthly programs chair, and
her team were responsible for coordinating our
social activities, such as travel night, Bunko, and
a wine tasting. Tracy Sherman and Velma
Richardson, part of Beth’s team, set up a rape
awareness mini-workshop lead by Brian Olden,
EDIS chief.
“People in the community are always willing
to lend their time when we ask. We are so
fortunate,” Prahinski added.
“Also this year we started a breakfast slide
show on how to get involved in our community
at the hospital’s monthly Newcomers’ Orientation classes,” Prahinski said.
The group donated $75 for the March 19
Reservists’ welcome reception. Beth Starrs received a commander’s coin for her part in
organizing the reception. Brig. Gen. Richard
Ursone, commander of the United States Armee
Europe Regional Medical Command, made the
presentation.
For more information, contact membership
chair Donna Hermann, 0931-3049857.
Be proactive, speak up, prevent health errors
by Roger Teel
Patients who take an active part in health care decisions are
more likely to be satisfied with their treatment than patients who
do not.
That’s the finding of the Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations, or JCAHO, research. You – the
patient – play an important role and help make your care safe by
becoming an active member of your health care team.
JCAHO is sponsoring a ‘Speak Up’ program that urges
patients to get involved in their care.
To prevent health care errors, patients are encouraged to voice
their concerns and ask questions.
Their directives are clear:
● Speak up if you have questions, and if you don’t understand, ask again. It’s your body, and you have a right to know.
● Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you
are getting the right treatments and medications by the right
health care professionals. Do not assume anything.
● Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests
you are undergoing, and your treatment plan. Ask a trusted
family member or friend to be your advocate.
● Know what medications you take and why you take them.
Medication errors are the most common health care errors.
● Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other type of health
care organization that has undergone a rigorous on-site
evaluation against established state-of-the-art quality and safety
standards, such as that provided by JCAHO.
● Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are
the center of the health care team.
Other information on prevention of health care errors can be
accessed via the Internet at www.ahqr.gov/errors.htm.

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