27 MARCH 2011

Greetings from Balad, Iraq!

I am both excited and a little sad to say that this will be the 103rd ESC's last edition of the Expeditionary Times.  The 310th ESC has arrived from Indianapolis, and CPT Garcia and his team are eager to begin their mission of sharing the sustainers story from across Iraq to all of you.

It has been my honor to serve alongside all of the amazing people that have been supporting the ESC mission, and ensuring those experiences were shared with all of you.  On behalf of my crew - SFC Raymond Calef, SPC Emily Walter and I, we wish all those that remain in Iraq a safe and satisfying deployment, and smooth transition home to their Families.

I am pleased, for the last time, to be able to bring you all another edition of the Expeditionary Times.  I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.  Here are some highlights from this week's Expeditionary Times:

- TOA ceremony brings relief for CSSB.....
- Ammo specialists join 'Super Bullets' on COB Adder.....
- 'Wrangler' leader proves age is just a number.....
- Daughter finds comfort in nearby family......
- Two sets of brothers serve in same company.....
- Finance unit helps sharpen Soldiers' focus.....

It has been a fantastic journey for my team, and I would be remiss if I didn't thank special individuals that contributed to ensuring we were able to provide you a quality product each week.  It was because of professionals with the 3rd, 224th and 4th Sustainment Brigades and their UPARs, sending in tons of edited products that made it work.  Special thanks to the following individuals: SFC Rhonda Lawson, SGT Gaelen Lowers, SGT Angeine Myers, LT Nathan Lavy, SSG Constance Oberg and SSG Patrick Caldwell.  Each of you continually have gone above and beyond to ensure the Soldiers story was told. 

To our two MPAD teams that have kept us smiling - the 109th MPAD with SFC Askew, SGT Slempa, SPC Keeler and SPC Craig; and the 29th MPAD with SFC Barker, SGT Fujikawa, SGT Scott and SGT Gray (newly promoted); keep doing what you do.  An amazing and talented group that continues to impress with their knowledge, professionalism and creativity - we have been blessed to have you.  You are family, and will truly be missed though I know you are in great hands with the 310th. 

Also, your service members (or Family members) want to hear from you, so if you want to send a message to your loved one, send it to escpao@iraq.centcom.mi  and we will make sure it gets placed in the next edition of The Expeditionary Times.

Warm Regards,

V/R - ANGEL WALLACE
MAJ, AD
Chief OF Public Affairs
103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Joint Base Balad, Iraq
DSN: (318) 433-2412
SVOIP: 241-1225
SIPR: angela.wallace@s-iraq.centcom.smil.mil
On the web:      http://editor.qbsoft.com/www.armyreserve.army.mil/103rdESC
DVIDS website:    http://www.dvidshub.net/units/103esc
TWITTER PAGE:     http://twitter.com/103rdESC
FACEBOOK PAGE:    http://editor.qbsoft.com/www.facebook.com/reqs.php#!/103rdESC
Flickr PAGE:    http://editor.qbsoft.com/www.flickr.com/photos/103rdesc

20 MARCH 2011

UNCLASSIFIED

Greetings from Balad, Iraq!

This week we welcomed our friends with the 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command out of Indianapolis, Indiana.  Everyone involved has been in great spirits - the 103rd, in the opportunity to share their collective knowledge, and the 310th, in their eagerness to take their place in history as they continue to sustain the force while retrograding excess equipment throughout Iraq (no small feat to be sure).

I am truly pleased to be able to bring you all another edition of the Expeditionary Times.  This week there is a special story about parents serving in Iraq while their children are deployed elsewhere.  It is a touching reflection of the devotion and sacrifice many Families continue to make in the name of freedom. 

On that note, here are some highlights from this week's Expeditionary Times:
- Services work together to build CSC Adder.....
- The American Red Cross: Yesterday and today.....
- Postal workers help boost service members' morale.....
- Allied trade shop Soldiers learn dual specialty......
- Head Hunter Soldiers train Iraqi troops.....
- For some, deployment is a Family affair.....

Ladies and Gentlemen?  This week's unusual holiday is one of my favorites!  This Tuesday, March 22nd, is National Goof Off Day.  It's true - there is actually a day set aside to sit around and just recover from the dull thumps of normal routine and the stress we absorb with day to day life.

There really is something to be said for taking a day to just pause and reset.  It allows us to refocus and gain the energy needed to charge up the hills we may have otherwise been timid to entertain.  Though deployed Soldiers rarely get an entire day (and neither do their Families who keep everything going in our absence), but even if only for an hour or two - seize the opportunity to relax, and exercise your 'goof'y side.

Also, your service members (or Family members) want to hear from you, so if you want to send a message to your loved one, send it to escpao@iraq.centcom.mil and we will make sure it gets placed in the next edition of The Expeditionary Times.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.  If you do not want to receive this weekly electronic newspaper, please email me to remove you from the distribution list.

Warm Regards,

V/R - ANGEL WALLACE
MAJ, AD
Chief OF Public Affairs
103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Joint Base Balad, Iraq
DSN: (318) 433-2412
SVOIP: 241-1225
SIPR: angela.wallace@s-iraq.centcom.smil.mil
On the web:      http://editor.qbsoft.com/www.armyreserve.army.mil/103rdESC
DVIDS website:    http://www.dvidshub.net/units/103esc
TWITTER PAGE:     http://twitter.com/103rdESC
FACEBOOK PAGE:    http://editor.qbsoft.com/www.facebook.com/reqs.php#!/103rdESC
Flickr PAGE:    http://editor.qbsoft.com/www.flickr.com/photos/103rdesc