Not the Usual Tobacco Article

Filed under DoD News, Medical Monday by on April 9, 2012 at 7:44 am {no comments}

Story by Airman 1st Class Kenneth Norman
From 97th Air Mobility Wing, Public Affairs

(U.S. Air Force graphic art)

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. — We have all read the usual tobacco cessation articles telling us to quit using tobacco because of the numerous detrimental effects it has on our health. I will do my best throughout this piece to not be the nagging echo of such stories.

Many tobacco users believe that tobacco use relieves their stress. In reality it actually increases it.

According to a recent article published on the Department of Defense’s tobacco cessation website, tobacco users feel normal after using nicotine, but stress levels rise in between smoke or chew breaks. Thus, tobacco users are constantly bouncing back and forth between feeling normal immediately after tobacco use and feeling increasingly stressed as the hours pass.

“Nicotine gives the impression of reducing stress because, for those addicted to nicotine, the experience of not having nicotine in their body is extremely stressful,” said Cmdr. Aileen Buckler, a U.S. Public Health Service officer and chairman of the DOD Alcohol and Tobacco Advisory Committee.
(more…)

No Short Days, Just Short Nights

Filed under DoD News by on April 8, 2012 at 7:55 am {no comments}

Story by Spc. Chelsea Russell
From Regional Command Southwest   

Marine Corps. Col. Michael Gann, the II Marine Expeditionary Force Forward operations officer for Afghan National Security Forces Development stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., hands a young girl a package of candy while in Zaranj, Nimroz province. (Photo by Spc. Chelsea Russell)

ZARANJ, Afghanistan – Despite all the bad things that can happen during a deployment, Marine Corps Col. Michael Gann, the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) operations officer for Afghan National Security Forces Development stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., said his experiences in Afghanistan have taught him to never forget the simple things in life.

Gann and his men were awaiting a return flight to Camp Leatherneck after completing a mission in Zaranj when he noticed a couple of Afghan civilians had arrived at the airfield. It was a Friday morning, so it was a holiday. There was a little girl with them.

Gann said he was standing there in all of his battle gear when the little girl just started walking toward him. She wasn’t the least bit deterred by his intimidating appearance. Gann slowly squatted down and held out his hand to her. She fearlessly grabbed ahold of it and smiled up at him.

“She didn’t know the difference between good, bad or evil,” Gann explained, recollecting his awe at the fearlessness of the young girl. “And I thought, as cynical as I’d become in this deployment from seeing all the bad things that happen, here was a kind of situation that gave me pause to reconsider a bit.”

Gann has been on numerous deployments since joining the Marine Corps Jan. 10, 1983. He’s been deployed to Somalia, Iraq, Japan and various other locations throughout the world. He said his deployment to Afghanistan had a different dynamic than his previous ones.

“In the past, it was somewhat kinetic, this not so much,” said Gann. “There was a lot more interaction on my part with the various entities out there in the battle space. My experiences pretty much ran the gamut.” (more…)

Marines Execute Night Take Off, Landing Exercises

Filed under DoD News by on April 8, 2012 at 7:27 am {no comments}

Cpl. Jonathan Wright has the story
From Marines.mil 



Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced) and Marine Attack Squadron 311, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct take off and landing exercises under the cover of night. The exercise was part of the air combat element’s testing during the MEU’s amphibious integration training and certification training.

African Partnership Flight Security Forces Training

Filed under DoD News by on April 7, 2012 at 7:57 am {no comments}

By Staff Sgt. John Archiquette
From AFN Ramstein



No matter what country you’re from, you have to be tough to work in security forces.  Airmen from five Western African nations but their toughest to the test with a few exercises at African Partnership Flight in Accra, Ghana.  Each airman showed their techniques when challenging and searching a subject.

Afghan Engineers Build Check Points, Step Toward Independence

Filed under DoD News by on April 7, 2012 at 7:18 am {no comments}

Story by Lance Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
From Regimental Combat Team 6

Afghan National Army Col. Abdul Hai Neshat, executive officer, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, address a formation of ANA soldiers with 1st Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, at a local check point. The check points provide security and shelter for the Afghan soldiers. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Lenzo)

PATROL BASE WASHIR, Afghanistan – The road to Washir is dusty and dirty, with potholes and hills making it an obstacle course. The ride almost feels like off-roading, with vehicles hitting bumps and twisting around turns.

With no sign of houses, the approaching check points stick out of the barren landscape, with Afghan National Army soldiers keeping watch over the area.

Last Wednesday, ANA Col. Abdul Hai Neshat, executive officer, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, stopped at several check points with Capt. Charles Arvisais, executive officer, 2nd Brigade Advisor Team, Regimental Combat Team 6, to inspect the construction of check points and address the ANA soldiers.

“(The ANA engineers) went out recently and built check points for 1st Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps,” said Sgt. Jeffrey Whalen, engineer advisor, Embedded Training Team, RCT-6. “They were built so they can reinforce the route.”

The ANA soldiers stay at the check points, making the construction vital to their safety.

“Each (check point) serves for the security of the soldiers,” said Neshat. “They need to make sure the soldiers are safe.”

ANA engineers planned, built and maintain the check points while coalition forces provided materials for the engineers.

(more…)

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