Volume 1, Issue 1 July 2011

From the Battalion Commander

Medicine Warrior Soldiers and Families, I would like to take this opportunity to start by saying Thank-you all for what you all do for our Battalion and our Army. The operational pace of our unit and our Army as a whole is extremely high, and I honestly do not see it decrease in the near future. Today we have Medicine Warrior Soldiers supporting efforts throughout Iraq and Afghanistan and providing support to JBLM. Our deployed Soldiers represent the 520th Area Support Medical Company (ASMC) (Iraq), the 98th Combat Stress Control Company (Iraq), the 551st Medical Logistics Company (MLC) (Iraq), the 153rd Blood Detachment (Iraq), and the 673rd Dental Company, who is deployed in both Iraq and Afghanistan! Most recently, we welcomed back the 547th ASMC, who did an amazing job in Iraq as well as a portion of the 551st MLC, as their mission in Iraq is decreasing. Simultaneously, we have the 575th ASMC and the 514th Ground Ambulance (GA) Company providing support for the Warrior Forge mission, while they also train in support of a homeland defense mission. Our Preventive Medicine Detachments are just as busy as we have the 255th PM DET prepare for the homeland defense mission and the 227th PM DET prepare for its upcoming deployment. Our Optometry Team, the 166th OPTO, albeit small, is also busy as they anticipate a pending deployment in the Spring 2012! Last, but not least, we have the 218th Medical Detachment Rear (P) and HHD/56th MMB redeploying many of our units, while continuing to serve as the rear detachments of all of our deployed units. It does not stop there! Our units are also preparing for a Corps level inspection, while preparing to deploy for a training exercise in August (575th ASMC, 514th GA, and the 255th PM DET). Amazing! As you can see, our Soldiers are busy! But, we must not forget that during all of this, we must reflect on the blessings so many of us have bestowed upon us. Those of us who are blessed, I ask that you extend a blessing to those less fortunate or in need of some assistance, whether it be a Soldier or Family Member among our ranks. Too many times, after an event, we say, how did this happen or If I only knew. If we each reached out an olive branch and extended ourselves we will find someone whom we can make a difference in their life, if even for a short time. So, with this, I ask that we all take a minute and find someone among our ranks whose day we may be able to make brighter! While it may go without saying, your persistent hard work does not go unnoticed. We successfully execute many missions simultaneously because of the outstanding leaders, Soldiers, and Family members in the unit. Thank you all of your dedication and the jobs you do! LTC Kim Aiello

56TH MULTIFUNCTIOANL MEDICAL BATTALION

Medicine Warrior! Monthly Newsletter

Command Sergeant Major Forum

Medicine Warriors and Family Members, I would like to echo what the Battalion Commander said. Thank you for all that you do for this Battalion, the Army and out Nation. Without you efforts we would not be nearly as successful in accomplishing our multiple missions as we have been. Jobs well done!!! I would be remiss if I didnt mention that with all the hard work comes some relaxation time. As the Summer moves into full gear please keep safety upmost in your minds as you embark on your travels and vacation time. We preach safety on and off duty and we want you and your families to enjoy Summer and have safe fun!!! CSM Mark Pumphrey

Inside this issue:

Promotions and Awards Hail and Farewells Soldier of the Month NCO of the Month Safety Message Chaplains Corner HHD 2 2 2 3 3 3 4

Inside this issue:

166th OP 218th VS Rear Detachment 227th PM 255th PM 514th GA 575th ASMC 547th ASMC 4 4 5 5 5 6 6

Inside this issue:

98th CSC 153rd BS 218th VS 673rd DC OEF & OND FRG Events Calendar Our Newest Editions FRG Volunteer of the Month Who is this? Facebook 7 7 7,11 8 9 10 10 10 10

Medicine Warrior Promotions and Awards

Achievement Awards were presented to the following Soldiers for their contributions to the Special Olympics of Washington on June 4th & 5th. Army Achievement Medals (AAM) were presented to: 2 LT Norton, 514th GA SPC Deusa, 575th ASMC
The Army Achievement Medal is awarded to any member of the

CONGRATULATIONS to the well deserved promotions to the following Soldiers: SGM Payne, HHD SSG Quartucci, 255th PM SGT Prout, 514th GA

SPC Cartwright, 514th GA SPC Stoneman, 514th GA SPC Elliot, 575th ASMC SPC Conley, 575th ASMC

Armed Forces of the United States who distinguish themselves by meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree than required for the Army Commendation Medal.

Medicine Warrior Hail and Farewells

56th Multifunctional Medical Battalion welcomes the following Soldiers into our ranks this month: PV2 Wilcox, 98th CSC PFC Turner, 514th GA PFC Haaker, 575th ASMC SPC Metobo, 255th PM PFC Jones, 227th PM 56th Multifunctional Medical Battalion farewells the following Soldiers and wishes them well in their future assignments and endeavors: CW2 Magana, HHD CPT Deeter, HHD CPT Brisson, HHD SPC Denman, 218th SPC Sherman, 218th SSG Chapman, 575th ASMC

Change is the essence of life. Be

willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.

Medicine Warrior Soldier of the Month

SPC Tori Hernandez, HHD, has been selected as the Medicine Warrior of the Month. SPC Hernandez has been assigned to HHD since Aug 2010 . During her duty with HHD she has served as the Admin Specialist ensuring daily reporting of PERSTATs and the maintenance of over 130 assigned and 35 attached personnel files. A very daunting task in a HHD due to the constant change over of personnel. Most recently SPC Hernandez has taken the duty of the Chemical NCO for the Detachment. In this she is responsible for the Chemical Operations in the HHD, 56th MMB; supervises, employs, maintains, troubleshoots and
Page 2

assist users on all chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) and chemical detection equipment; Serves as the primary adviser to the commander on all CBRN activities; assists with maintenance and accountability of organizational equipment valued at 1 million dollars. Within the first two weeks of assignment as the CBRN specialist she has completed a COMET SAV and signed for over 1 million dollars worth of equipment while preparing and executing two lateral transfers of CBRN equipment to Rear Detachment units. SPC Hernandez displays a positive attitude which has become contagious

and has raised the moral to a higher status especially important given the high OPTEMPO in HHD.

SPC Tori Hernandez, HHD

M E DI CI N E W A R R I O R !

Medicine Warrior NCO of the Month

SGT Sarah B. Prout continues to emulate all of the qualities of a true professional Noncommissioned Officer and displays the perfect example of a Medicine Warrior. Her unsurpassed Military Bearing, Appearance and Physical Fitness, along with her expert Technical and Tactical Knowledge, resulted in her being selected as the 56th Multifunctional Medical Battalion NCO of the Year and the 62nd Medical Brigade NCO of the Year for Fiscal Year 2011. SGT Prouts physical prowess is rarely matched by any Soldier, as she consistently scores in the 330 to 340 point range (extended scale) on all Army Physical Fitness Tests and by her being the first female Soldier to ever compete in the Honor Graduate Fight at the JBLM Level 3 Combatives School. SGT Prout serves as the Training NCO for the 514th Medical Company (GA), where she manages the training requirements of over 80 Soldiers and tracks, on average, 15 Mission Support Requirements each month. SGT Prout is a single mother and role model to her 2 year old daughter, Anna.
NCO CREED No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

Safety Message
The definition of an accident is "an unplanned event." No one plans to have an accident. It happens when you let your guard down, become careless; fail to follow procedures, become complacent, overconfident or something out of the ordinary. Human error is a direct cause of over 90% of all accidents. During the 101 days of summer which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day is a time to enjoy family and friends or for much needed rest and relaxation. Safety is a team effort which requires everyone to monitor not only themselves but the Soldiers and Family Members. Thank you for your continued commitment to keeping our most valuable resource The Soldier Safe. Mission First, Safety Always!

Chaplains Corner
Happy family begins from cherand worthiness of mothers love cannot be ishing the grace of expressed in words. A the parents. It is mother shines this The strength, beauty and worthiness of difficult to achieve world endlessly with happy family when the light of love like the mothers love cannot be expressed in the parents grace is stars in the sky. Im words. A mother shines this world neglected. There is thankful for the grace nothing more preof the father. I often endlessly with the light of love like the cious than life, and it feel the heaviness of the stars in the sky. is our parents who responsibility of the gave us life. Sadly, fatherhood as a father -E.H. Chapin some of us have who raised two daughalready experienced ters. Only few children the pain of losing our parent(s). Nonetheknow of the father who sheds tears in a less, we must never forget that the very fact hidden place. Fathers are lonely. Fatherthat we are living now is the reality of our hood is hard. This world is not easy, but the parents grace. Im thankful for the grace of responsibility is enormous. The sacrifice of the mother. Our mothers have given birth father is great as well. There are many fathrough pouring of the blood. The love of thers who only say few words. However, mother that cherishes and raises a child the children must remember that there is a after giving birth from enduring long-time deep love in those few words. I put my cannot be explained. Mothers love is an hands together for all 56th MMBs mothers unconditional love. It is a sacrificial love. and fathers as we celebrate the Spiritual E. H. Chapin said, The strength, beauty Family Fun Run day on July 1, 2011.

Chaplain Cho and his wife Suzanne.

Chaplain Cho and his assistant PFC Carpenter

Page 3

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD)

CPT Dawn M Williams was born in Daytona Beach, Florida. She entered military service on 15 September 1995. CPT Williams military career includes the following assignments: Combat Medic, 64th FSB, 4th ID; Emergency Treatment NCO, 67th CSH; Squad LDR, 296th FSB; HHD enjoys a Spiritual Fitness Run lead by CH Cho Clinical NCOIC; Operations NCO, WRMC; Assistant Inspector General, WRMC; XO, 520th ASMC, and lastly MISSION Commander HHD, 56th MMB. CPT WilOn Order, HHD 56th MMB will deploy liams has attended various military schools to provide a scalable, flexible and moduto include; PLDC, BNCOC, ANCOC, Batlar Medical Battle Command (MBC), tle Staff, IG Course, BOLC II and III. She administrative assistance, logistical suphas earned her Bachelors degree in Health port, and technical supervision capability Care Management. CPT Williams is marfor assigned and attached medical organiried to Brain Huffstutter and has two chilzations (companies and detachments) dren, Steven and Thomas. She enjoys yoga task-organized in support of deployed and traveling. forces. PHILOSOPHY Meet mission always, take care of Soldiers putting the welfare of your Soldiers before your own and take care of yourself seeking selfimprovement and always take responsibility for ones actions. Most importantly Soldiers can expect that I will be a team player dedicated to the mission and always honest and upfront. VISION Provide Command and Control to subordinate medical units, prepared to deploy a modular element (Early Entry or campaign) while maintaining the standard, setting the example, creating a safe environment and improving on yesterdays events.

166th Ophthalmic Team

I would like to welcome SSG Reed to the 166th family. SSG Reed and his wife just arrived from Hawaii. SSG Reed will take over in August for SSG Conlon as he and his wife PCS to FT. Sam Houston. PFC Perz is tasked out to Warrior Forge and will use his 68W skills (hopefully not too much) on the cadets from across the nation. This is a yearly mission for the Battalion and an important one. Training, (day and evening) and online. Giant Campus utmost importance as these future is also offering week leaders prepare for commissioning. long day camps for kids. Giant Campus is a great MWR benefit for our Soldiers and On 24 June, we had a speaker from Giant their Families. Campus at our FRG meeting. It was wonEagle Eye Six..Out derful to hear all the learning opportunities they offer in computer technology. Classes are available in the classroom evaluating, and taking care of the Cadets medically is of the utmost importance as these future leaders prepare for commissioning.
of the Cadets medically is of the Training, evaluating, and taking care

218th Veterinary Detachment (Rear Detachment)

CPT Rodriguez, Gilberto is the BLOOD HOUNDS commander. He commissioned as a 2LT in May 2007. 2LT Rodriguez reported to his first unit, 218th MED DET (Veterinary Services), in February 2008 where he served as the units Executive Officer. In October of this same year, he deployed with the 218th VS in support of OIF and OEF. After 15 months, 1LT Rodriguez redeployed and was assigned as the Executive Officer of the 98th MED DET (Combat Stress Control) in February 2010. Gilberto took command of the 218th MED DET (R)(P) in March and promoted to CPT that same month. His hobby is to play saxophone.

CAPABILITIES The units capabilities are maintaining constant contact with the forward elements; Reintegration of forward units; reattach Soldiers and equipment to their respective assigned MTOE unit; FRG support; and Maintain readiness of Soldiers in the event of necessary augmentees.

MISSION The 218th Medical Detachment (Rear)(Provisional) mission is to provided command and control of the detached personnel and equipment from their forward elements, providing rear operations and family readiness group support until the return of the deployed units (218th VS, 153rd BS, 547th ASMC, 551 MED LOG).

Page 4

M E DI CI N E W A R R I O R !

227th Preventative Medicine

Welcome Soldiers and Family members of the 56th MMB. I am CPT Katherine Kinder (Black Scorpion 6), Commander of the 227th Preventive Medicine Medical Detachment. My Detachment Sergeant and most experienced NonCommissioned Officer is SFC Loretta Whitehurst (Black Scorpion 7). Together we lead a detachment of 13 highly motivated and dedicated Soldiers that provide Occupational and Environmental Health Surveillance, Disease and Non-battle Injury (DNBI) Surveillance, Epidemiology services (disease investigation), Medical Entomology services, Industrial Hygiene services, and Field Sanitation Education and Training. The detachment deploys as a whole to maintain unit integrity, or it can be configured into a HQ section and three independently mobile teams. Either configuration supports preemptive action in identifying, controlling, and protecting troops from the effects of Disease Non-Battle Injuries. Our mission is to on order, conserve the fighting strength by providing proactive field preventive medicine support to echelons above division (EAD) in Full Spectrum Operations (FSO) by initiating immediate countermeasure by minimizing, or eliminating the impact of disease nonbattle injuries (DNBI). Black Scorpions! CPT Katherine Kinder

255th Preventative Medicine

The 255th Preventive Medicine Medical Detachment consists on 13 personnel and provides Occupational and Environmental Health Surveillance, Disease and Non-battle Injury (DNBI) Surveillance, Epidemiology services, Medical Entomology services, Industrial Hygiene services, and Field Sanitation Education and Training. The detachment deploys as a whole to maintain unit integrity, or it can be configured into a HQ section and three medicine services in support of full specindependently mobile teams. Either contrum operations to preserve and sustain figuration supports precombat forces. Major emptive action in identiBrian Nell commands 255th PM mission provides fying, controlling, and the Medical Detachproactive preventive medicine protecting troops from ment and is married to the effects of DNBI. The services in support of full spectrum CPT Margaret Fahy. 255th Medical DetachThey have two chiloperations to preserve and sustain dren, Benjamin and ments mission provides proactive preventive Anessa. combat forces.

514th Ground Ambulance

Hello 56th MMB Soldiers, family and friends! I am the Company Commander of the 514th Medical Company Ground Ambulance. The Company First Sergeant is 1SG Anthony Elliott. Together with the Soldiers of the 514th GA, we are Team Renegade! Our mission is to deploy and provide ground medical evacuation within all theaters of combat and the Continental United States (CONUS) contingency support operations; preserving and sustaining combat forces. Our goal is be recognized as the standard bearer for a Ground Ambulance Company; always prepared to conduct tactical medical evacuation operations within any environment. The unit has the capability to cover a 700 square mile area with a single ambulance also known as a Field Litter Ambulance (FLA). What does that mean? Think about your local ambulance service where one ambulance covers a 200+ mile area. In addition, the 514th GA's fleet of FLAs has a single-lift capability for evacuation of 92 litter patients or 192 ambulatory patients. In addition, every FLA is
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

crewed with combat medics that can provide emergency medical treatment and enroute medical care to sick and injured patients. I cannot forget to mention all the support personnel that help make our Company successful- administrators, mechanics, cooks, supply, communications and chemical (CBRN) personnel. Unit history: The 514th GA has a unit history that extends as far back as World War II. In 1946, the unit was known as the 514th Clearing Company. Their mission: clear the injured from the battlefield. The 514th GA earned campaign participation credit for World War II, the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War. And more recently with participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom in November 2007-2008. The unit is currently training and preparing to assume its next mission- Defense Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Response Force (DCRF). What is DCRF? This mission is directed by the Department of Defense in response to the

increased focus on homeland security. DCRF provides federal, state and local agencies with the assistance they need in their homeland security activities such natural disasters or terrorist acts. The 514th GA mission during DCRF will be that of ground medical evacuation of any injured personnel. On a final note, the Soldiers of the 514th GA are a dedicated, disciplined and motivated team. Always ready for our next mission. "Team Renegade" See you all next month. CPT David Meservey Renegade 6
Caption describing picture or graphic.

Page 5

575th Medical Company (Area Support)

The 575th Medical Company (Area Support) is one of three Area Support Medical Companies in the 56th Multifunctional Medical Battalion. The mission of an area support medical company is to provide Role II Health Service Support to a population of approximately 10,000 personnel. To accomplish this mission, an ASMC staffs a diverse mix of medical and non-medical experts that support the companys healthcare mission. During operation or deployment, the ASMC is capable of providing ground evacuation and robust treatment capabilities: x-ray, dental, laboratory, patient hold, and behavioral health. In addition, the ASMC is further supported by mechanics, cooks, and other specialized Soldiers that bring their unique skill sets to sustain the companys personnel and equipment. The 575th ASMC is led by CPT A.J. Bertone and 1SG Jamie Detrick. CPT Bertone is a California native who commissioned from the United States Military Academy. He has been assigned to the 56th MMB since December of 2010, and took command of the 575th ASMC in February 2011. He has previously served with the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade in Katterbach, Germany where he deployed to Iraq for 15 months, and has also served at JTF CAPMED in Bethesda, Maryland and Western Regional Medical Command at Joint Base LewisMcChord. CPT Bertone enjoys cycling and backpacking in his free time. 1SG Detrick is an Air Force brat who lives with his wife (and company FRG leader), Emilee, in Rainier, WA. He has served in the Army since 1990, and has deployed three times: Bosnia-Herzegovina (IFOR), Kuwait (Operation Desert Fox), and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom). 1SG Detrick is a hobby farmer, beekeeper, and small engine mechanic. In his free time, he cuts grass, maintains a coop of 62 chickens, and runs a jamming business with his wife. The 575th ASMC is currently supporting over 7,000 ROTC cadets at Joint Base Lewis-McChord from 13 JUN-6 AUG 2011 as part of the Warrior Forge cadet leadership development training. Following Warrior Forge, the 575 is slated to attend the Vibrant Response consequence management exercise in Camp Atterbury, Indiana from 21-31 AUG.

547th Medical Company (Area Support)

Hello how bout that ride in? I guess thats
why they call it Baghdad (ha-ha). You guys might not know this but I consider myself a bit of a loner. I tend to think of myself as a one man school of hammerhead sharks. But when the Army brought me to Ft Lewis and I was assigned to the 547th ASMC, I knew I was among more of my own. I thought wait a second, could it be? And now I know for sure, I just added sixty-one more Hammerheads and a few Basking sharks to the school. Imagine, sixty-four of us, swimming around the desert together looking for Iraqi-Italian pizza, hookah and good copies of DVDs. I wanted to take this time to reflect on some of the events that stand out in my mind: Pre-deployment preparations, the colors casing ceremony, the bus ride from McChord and then the hurry up and wait at that lame little airport. The baggage handling detail loading the plane and getting 1st Class seats. Stopping at Bangor, Maine; Shannon, Ireland and finally touching down in Kuwait; acclimating and getting on a proper sleep schedule at Camp Beurhing (Camp Boring); Nottingham, Bohannon and Williams winning the 3-on-3 B -ball tournament; deciding to go out for a run in the windy, 140 deg. weather (that lasted for about 10 minutes). Listening to Downeys music on the ride out to that range in the middle of nowhere and then only firing 5 rounds; the MRAP training where I fell out of an unchairs, combat locked door and then low-crawled combat out of the trainer; getting pushed back into a golfing, sandstorm while trying to get on a bus to get speed new plates. The C-130 flight from Ali Al bumps, Salem to BIAP; the 4WD van-ride to Golby; stress ball/ RIP/TOA and the un-casing ceremony; water MASCAL training; C-RAM; doctors fights, rotating in and out; Horace Morris; Stru- SFC Lassandro and 1LT McLaughlin recall the Days ble, C-Rod and Russo joining us; driving of journey of deployment. RC boats and fishing on Lost Lake; the Rage, Halloween party, Thanksgiving lunch; ChristFire Marshall DeAngelos fire drill and SFC mas party (anyone want the 1st Season of Gianunzios Day of Rage, flag football!.. its Glee?); the Christmas IDF attack when I okay team, youll get them next year! I can was taking a shower; the big personnel swap; truly say that Ive enjoyed working with those the Super Bowl beers; writing evaluations; who have been assigned to Ortiz and Union writing awards; McLaughlins kilt story; FIIII, Ive learned a lot and I know each Soldier NALLY GOING ON RRLV!! (1LT also has something to take away from this year McLaughlin here I think the 130 degree here). heat finally got to SFC Lassandro. But, We only have two more weeks until were WOW! What a deployment?!? But I agree, home at last! This time is expected to fly by there is so much to remember from this past with all the preparations, planning and packing year to include: HAGA vs. T-wall..oops, I yet to accomplish. We want to say thanks to mean our first mission with the HAGA, SPC all the family members and friends that have Williams losing our kickball game, GRAVE supported their Soldier(s) over this past year. ROBBERS and Sunday EVAC day, kittens We could not have completed this mission in the attic, Our super heroes docs LTC without you! And a special thanks to the FRG McDaniel, MAJ Hays and CPT Laseter!, Dr. Ladies for all of their hard work and support! Mohammads got your six, flying toy helicopters, SGT Strands 30 minutes of glory, SGT Swietas team bonding relay, wheelGod bless you all and well see you soon! SFC Lassandro and 1LT McLaughlin

Page 6

M E DI CI N E W A R R I O R !

98th CSC
A big hello from the Iraqi desert! The 98th has been here for almost 5 months now. Over the past 5 months we have all been through some changes and unfortunately many of us have missed very important days. I want to thank all the family members for the sacrifice missing your loved ones on Wedding Anniversary, Birthdays and Holidays. We miss all of you also. Yes the 98th has gone through changes. Some of our teams had to reconfigure. The Head Quarters moved far west from the most northern base we started at. We also saw 2 of our well loved colleagues have to be sent home for medical reasons. And now we are preparing to change out our 6 month rotators, next month. Also on a positive note we started R&R leave so several of our Soldiers will get to spend some time home with family. As we celebrate our Nations day of Independence I just wanted to reach out and with everyone a happy 4th of July. We are all over here making sure all of you get to enjoy the freedom that Independence Day represents. The Soldiers of the 98th and I are doing fine hoping time will fly the rest of the time we are down range. I only ask that you all do your part and keep us in your thoughts and prayers. The high temperature has been over 110 (115 today) for the past several weeks but dont worry we can find plenty of shade and A/C. Many of us has a BBQ for the 4th. Again do not worry we are all fed. My only concern is the neighbors that they dont decide to supply us dome fireworks over the next few months. So again please remember to keep our safety and swift homecoming in thou thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your continued support and sacrifice. John H. Gourley

153rd Blood Support

We have reached an important milestone in our deployment; we have less than 100 days left in Iraq! Over 90% of the 153rd BSD has completed their mid-tour leave, so there is only one thing left to do and that is to finish the mission and get ready to receive the laboratory team that will replace us later this summer. 1LT Blake and SSG Tabios are working hard on completing hundreds of tasks needed to prepare the unit for redeployment. Don't be surprised if you start getting some boxes in the mail from your loved ones here in country. ISG and I have asked everyone to start thinning their footprint in their CHU's by sending home memorabilia they've purchased while in country. Due to reduction of forces (RDOF), I was able to send a few Soldiers home early. The decision on who went home early was based on the needs of the detachment. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers for you are in ours. "Blood Warriors!" MAJ Christopher Evans

218th Veterinary Service (Downrange Article)

Happy July 2011 families and friends of the 218th MDVS! The summer time heat in the desert continues to be the theme of the day on our side of the world; man, its hot! Im sure all of you are aware of the fact that the month of June had an extremely significant milestone for us as we have passed the nine month mark of deployment and we are now in the last quarter of our deployment! Here in Balad, we marked the occasion with one helluva pool party led by SGT Montgomery. Hats off to her for procuring all kinds of food and drink to include not only steak and ribs but also five gallons of ice cream and a
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

case of ODouls! This party also marked the coming out party for our new Viper mascot (big thanks to CPT James for creating the beast). I have decided to dedicate an entire page to our new mascot but I have one problem, I dont have a name. So, we are going to have a name the mascot competition. See page 5 for additional details. After digressing about the mascot, heres the bottom line, it is definitely a good feeling to know that we are now in double-digit land as far as the countdown goes. Just as many of you are anxious to have us come home, I can assure you that all of us are equally ready to be

back with you again. June in the Detachment was busy as usual. As is normal, we had a lot of folks going a lot of different directions as we continue to provide world-class veterinary ser-vice support to all US personnel here in Iraq. We experienced one major personnel change in June as we welcomed CPT Venn to Balad and the headquarters staff. CPT Venn will be our Executive
Page 7

673rd Dental Company OEF

Greetings from Afghanistan! Everything continues to go well as we completed our second month of deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Although some of the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) are austere, I am proud of how well the 673rd Dental Company SaberTooth Soldiers are overcoming the challenges and providing excellent dental care to US and coalition forces. Recently we were fortunate to welcome two of our 673rd Soldiers who deployed late SPC Clifton Daniel and SPC Reginald Gebo. Welcome SPC Daniel and SPC Gebo! We will continue to be short personnel, but SPC Gebo and SPC Daniel will be invaluable to the dental clinics they support. I was also pleased to be able to laterally promote SPC Michael Gabriel and SPC Gebo to Corporal this past month. Both of these ! Corporals are located on remote FOBs serving as the NCOIC of a Dental Forward Support Treatment clinic. Congratulations CPL Gabriel and CPL Gebo! Most of us are taking advantage of the deployment to improve our physical fitness. Some are lifting weights, some are using exercise machines, and some are running or walking. Some of us are also participating in a workout program appropriately called Insanity which is led by SFC Garcia and usually begins between 0400 and 0530 five or six days per week. Additionally, many of us hope to continue participating in 5K Fun Runs at least once a month. The Fun Runs usually begin at 0500 on Saturdays on the opposite side of Bagram. Hope you enjoyed our first newsletter. The first newsletter provided several different perspectives on the deployment as some of the PROFIS dental officers, as well as members of the ADVON and main body shared their experiences. Since all of us will have different experiences during our deployment, I hope we can share as many of the varied experiences as possible in each edition of the newsletter. We will continue to highlight three of our dental clinics each month and allow the SaberTooth Soldiers staffing that clinic to tell their story. Finally, I want to acknowledge the Editor of SaberTooth Byte, CPT Jeffry Fletcher. If you enjoyed the newsletter and/or have any suggestions on how to improve it, I hope you will contact CPT Fletcher (jeffry.d.fletcher@afghan.swa.army.mil). FEAR THE BITE! COL Gebhart

673rd Dental Company OND

Howdy to the Soldiers, family and friends of the 673rd DCAS FWD PROV. I guess thats what happens to my lingo after spending the last 6 years in San Antonio. Iraqi desert feels as compared to the cool Pacific Northwest; we arent in Kansas any-more, Toto! here is not over yet, as there is much work still to do. Our CONNEX from JBLM finally arrived, and our Soldiers are happily enjoying what they sent ahead many creature comforts of home! Thanks to all of you for sending many care pack-ages to us. You dont know how much we all anticipate the mail call! It bright-ens up our days to get something from home! It reminds us of those most important to us, and why we are here. Finally, as we shift gears and personnel change locations, many of our teams will be relocated at other FOBs to continue our work. Watch for messages and new addresses from your deployed family members. Thank you. COL Reese

Things at HQs are moving fast and furious. Kind of like the 5th edition of the Fast and Furious movie Fast Five. We have personnel going out Just for on R&R now, so please enjoy your interHQ Group in front of our T-Wall them while they are on leave est, our teams back home. We are moving our HQs to of Soldiers and dentists are providing over another FOB next month in accordance $500,000 dollars worth of dentistry to over with the operational order we work under, 2,000 Soldiers every month across Iraq. along with other commands, as the 47th Thats a terrific number, reflecting the CSH takes over the command and control amount of great dental care we are able to from the 261st MMB. BTW: the 47th is provide thanks to the sacrifice that your coming from good old Ft Lewis/JBLM. service members are making while serving Theyll soon discover how hot the sunny here in Iraq. Spread the word: our mission

Deployed Family Events

56th MMB Deployed Unit FRG Meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Family Resource Center beginning at 1800. The topic this month is Children and Reunion. Waiting Families Support Group holds monthly meetings and activities. For more information about joining the support group or about monthly family events, call 253-967-3633. Deployed Family Member monthly dinner is offered at Four Chaplains Memorial Chapel Tuesday, 2 August from 5:30-8:30 pm. This months dinner will be catered by Pandora Bread The main dish is provided and attending families are asked to bring a dish to share. Please confirm your attendance to Carolyn Clanton, deployedfamiliesjblm@yahoo.com
Page 8 M E DI CI N E W A R R I O R !

56th MMB FRG Events July 2011

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI 1 Spiritual Fitness 2
Family Run 0700 at LCOF

SAT

6 BN SCM 1800 in 7
BN Conference Room

8 514th GA FRG
attends Rainer Game

10

11

12 Deployed
Spouse Potluck Dinner at Four Chaplains Memorial Chapel 1730

13

14 BN POC Training 1300-1500

15

16

17

18

19

20 Deployed unit
FRG Meeting FRC 1700

21 227th PM FRG
Meeting 1800 LCOF

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 HHD FRG
Meeting 1800

29

30

31

56th MMB FRG Events August 2011

SUN 1 MON TUE 2 Deployed
Spouse Potluck Dinner at Four Chaplains Memorial Chapel 1730

WED 3 BN SCM
BN Conference Rm 1800

THU 4 514th GA FRG

1800 LCOF

FRI 5 6

SAT

10

11 BN ORG Day

12

13

14

15

16

17 Deployed Unit
FRG meeting FRC 1800

18 227th PM FRG
Meeting 1800 LCOF

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 62nd MED BDE 31

Back 2 School 12-5pm North Fort Chapel

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

Page 9

Our newest additions

The following parents and babies were recognized at the Town Hall Meeting on 20 June at North Fort Chapel: HHD SSG Williams-Twins Kayln and Patrick born 29 March SPC Anderton-Savanna born 1 May 2 May SGT Figueroa-Summer born 7 April SPC Pavey-Shane born 14 May 227th PM CPT Williamson-Triplets Daniel, Christopher, and Josie born 7 March 255th PM PFC OReilly-Garrett born 25 March 520th AS SPC Sanders-Isabella born SPC Sanchez-Sophia born 22 May 575th AS SGT Wright-Mattias

FRG Volunteer of the Month

Maria-Teresa Correll is the wife of SFC Correll, Rear Detachment 1SG of the 153rd Blood Support Detachment. Mrs. Correll graciously volunteered to be the FRG Leader of 153rd BS shortly before the detachment deployed to Operation New Dawn in October of 2010. Maria Teresa has remained an energized and resourceful FRG leader serving the 153rd Blood Support Detachment. She maintains a positive communication flow with the Soldiers and Family Members of the 153rd BS. Maria Teresa is able to anticipate the needs of the families and plans events accordingly. She has planned and coordinated numerous fun FRG outings for deployed families to come together. She is in tune with community resources and is able to provide the support families need. She is always willing to dedicate herself to the needs of the 153rd BS and the 56th MMB. She does all this will taking care of her two toddlers, Matthew and Clare. Mrs. Correll has dedicated over 70 hours of volunteer service to the 56th Multifunctional Medical Battalion.
Maria-Teresa and her children, Matthew, age 3 and Clare, age 1 enjoy an afternoon at a the ball park when the Yankees played the Mariners.

No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another. Thank you! ~Author Unknown

Who is this???

Like us on
The following units can now be found on Facebook:

56th Multifunctional Medical Battalion 673rd Dental Company 514th Ground Ambulance 520th Medical Company 575th Medical Company 153rd Medical Detachment (Blood Support)
10

Can you guess who this mystery Soldier is? The first person to report the FRSAs office with the correct answer will get a prize. The answer to the mystery soldier and the person who guessed correctly will be revealed in the next newsletter!
M E DI CI N E W A R R I O R !

SSG Williams (HHD) and her husband accept Battalion onesie for their twins Kayln and Patrick who were born on 29 March.

SPC Sanchez (520th) accepts the Battalion onesie from LTC Aiello for her newborn daughter Sophie. PFC OReilly (255th ) accepts the BN Onsie for her son Garrett born on 25 March

A new baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.

CPT Williamson (227th PM) and wife Yunia had triplets on 7 March. After a short stay in the hospital they are doing very well. Here Christopher, Daniel, and Josie wear the 56th MMB onsie. SGT Wright (575th) and wife Dana receive the BN Onsie for their son Mattias

218th Veterinary Service (Downrange Article) Continued

Officer for the remainder of the deployment. I tell you this so that if we dont get home on time in September, you can blame it on her because her primary function in life right now is to get us home! I have a feeling that shell make things happen and Im sure itll be a very smooth and easy process. We are diligently working with the Rear Detachment to hammer out the reintegration schedule as well as our long range calendar after we
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

redeploy. I will have more specifics on this in our Au-gust newsletter because we should have things finalized by then. In addition to putting on a great pool party, I have to give special congratulations to SGT Montgomery for earning Viper-of-the-Month honors for June! Great Job! July is a very special month as we celebrate the independence of our great nation. I hope that each of
11

you has the opportunity to see some fireworks somewhere and do some sort of barbecue/grilling adventure thing. If you do, be safe..dont singe your eyebrows or youll look like SSG Cruz! As always, thanks to everyone in the rear for holding down the fort while were gone. I hope summer vacation continues to go well for everybody and again, be safe in all that you do.

Spiritual Fitness Run

12

M E DI CI N E W A R R I O R !