Catching Up on Things

Hi Everyone, 

 A few random pictures from along the way…

                                                     On the way to Kuwait for follow on training. 

                                                              Leaving from Fort Jackson, SC.

                                  Ran across a herd of camels while training out at the Udairi Range. 

                                                   Not a bad picture from the back of a Humvee

                                                            Sunrise in the desert at Udairi Range. 

                                                           Getting ready for convoy operations.

Cheers from Baghdad,

Jim

Hi Everybody,

All is going well here in Baghdad.   A little more insight into what my organization is responsible for in Iraq:

 The MNSTC-I Mission is to assist the Iraqi Government in the development, organization, training, equipping, and sustaining of Iraqi Security Forces and Ministries capable of defeating terrorism and providing a stable environment where individual freedom, the rule of law, and free market economy can evolve and, in time, will contribute to Regional Security in the Gulf Region.

Lot of energy from DoD/DoS Civilians, Army, Navy, Marines, AF, Coalition Forces, and Contractor community.   Interestingly we have a number of police officers and other law enforcement professionals leading the charge here, too.   Most of the day to day services are provided via contrator who hire from all over the world.  The security personnel are generally from Fiji and Peru.  The food service folks are from India, Phillipines and Nepal.  The world converges on Iraq!  

I work at Phoenix base, as you can see from the picture (oops), which is a 5 minute bus ride from where I live.  Everything happens at Phoenix base, so not much time in the hooch at FOB Blackhawk.   We have excellent chow at the DFAC (dining facility, army term), Sunday worship at the DFAC, and even a gym (not at the DFAC) on Phoenix. 

The work requires diplomacy, tenacity and patience.  As we construct facilities, we are sometimes engaging at the highest level of government over here.   Details down to the toilet type (Eastern or Western) are addressed at the Flag officer level at times… 

More to follow soon…

Hope you all are doing well, and I really appreciate hearing from you,

Blessings,

Jim

On the Ground in Baghdad (Finally!)

 Republican Palace, in the old days…

Hi Everyone,

I finally made it to Baghdad, Iraq on 9/7!  I am working for the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, also known as MNSTC-I (min-stick-ee).  My role is managing the construction of Minister of Interior Projects, like Police Stations, Border Stations, Ports of Entry, and other related facilities. 

I live and work in the green zone or international zone.  I live at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Blackhawk and work at Camp Phoenix.  Check it out on Google Earth/maps if you get a chance.  I live on the compound colocated with the Believer’s Palace, just down the street from the Republican Palace.      

The trek from Norfolk to Fort Jackson, S.C. to Kuwait to Baghdad, about 30 days,  was  fruitful and helped prepare us for the mission here in Iraq.  Kuwait, was a great acclimitization opportunity, with temperatures out at the Udairi Range at about 115-120 F.  Iraq has been mild in comparison, 80F at night and 105F during the days.  

My mailing address here is:

CDR Jim Scrofani

MNSTC-I / J7

APO AE 09348 

p.s.  I really appreciate all of your notes of encouragement and your prayers. 

Sincerely,

Jim

Camp McCrady in the Record Books

Dear Family and Friends,

I greatly appreciate all of the words of encouragement!

Week 2 is finished and Camp McCrady is in the record books, next stop is Kuwait. The two weeks at Fort Jackson, SC was for Navy Combat Training and was conducted by the Cadre of the US Army 1-518th Division. The topics covered included:

• Basic Combat First Aid
• Protection from Chemical/Biological Agents
• Weapons Immersion, M-16 and M-9
• Heavy Weapons Familiarization
• Land Navigation/Map Reading
• Basic Communications
• Movement/Convoy Tactics
• Cultural Awareness
• Physical Training

The Drill Sergeants were “outstanding,” and I think that all left with greater confidence in their use of assigned weapon.

Tomorrow at 2015 we depart for Kuwait and will arrive on the 26th at 1100 local time. We land at Ali Al Salem Airbase. Our training will be conducted at the Udairi Range. A long flight, so I hope to get some reading in and a good nap!

Training at Camp McCrady — Week 1

Some images from the first week at Camp McCrady…  Really appreciate all of your encouraging comments!  Resting on Him!

CDR Scrofani, Ready for Duty!

   

Machine Gunner, Clear the Decks…

        

Reflexive Firing Practice with the M16 rifle

Back to Base Camp with some tired puppies…

Leg 2

Made it to Fort Jackson on Saturday, and have been on the go ever since.  “You’re in the Army now,” is what they tell me here.  Army base, Army drill sergeants, and lots of  things painted green.  Issued an M16 rifle and M9 9mm Beretta pistol and have been marching smartly with them both.  Also issued 3 seabags of Army gear and uniforms.

This week has focused on familiarization/proficiency with the weapons and gear.   Next week we advance to advanced weapon, convoy operations and urban conflict training.  Long days here, but we are accomplishing alot.  Appreciate all of the notes of encouragement!  God Bless.

Mobilized

Finished with in-processing at Navy Mobilization Processing Site (NMPS), Norfolk. Folks here did a good job of mobilizing about 400 sailors, with varying degrees of readiness (some with only two weeks notice). Depart for Navy Combat Training, Ft. Jackson, SC, tomorrow.

Above: Individual Augmentees at the training course at the McCrady Training Center in South Carolina. Sometimes known as ‘sand-box sailors’, Individual Augmentees (IAs) are basically Navy personnel who are transferred to work with the Army in combat duty. IA billets are split between active duty and reserve components. The majority of IAs serve in Iraq or Afghanistan. In order to accomplish the transition from sailor to soldier, they go through a shortened version of combat basic training and learn Army tactics and doctrines, and train on the various weapons they will use in theater as well as patrol techniques, land navigation, and urban assault.

Leg 1

Made it to world’s largest Naval Station today, in Norfolk, VA. Lots of haze gray as you can see.

“Naval Station Norfolk occupies about 3,400 acres of Hampton Roads real estate in a peninsula known as Sewells Point. It is the world’s largest Naval Station; in fact, based on supported military population, it is the largest military station in the world. When the 78 ships and 133 aircraft home ported here are not at sea, they are alongside one of the 14 piers or inside one of the 15 aircraft hangars for repair, refit, training and to provide the ship’s or squadron’s crew an opportunity to be with their families. Naval Station is homeport to a wide variety of naval vessels including aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, large amphibious ships and submarines.”

On-base lodging was not available when I checked in, so the Navy is putting me up at the Virgina Beach Resort Hotel.   It’s tough duty but someone has to do it :).

Norfolk Naval Base

First Things

First stop, NMPC Norfolk, VA. I head out this Sunday, August 5th, and training starts first thing Monday morning.

Greetings to All

Dear Family and Friends,

The purpose of this site is to stay connected with you and share with you what is happening while I am on deployment. I am greatly encouraged and appreciate all of your support already. Please keep in touch, I look forward to hearing from you! Phillipians 4:7

Jim

jim.scrofani@comcast.net