Some of My Iraqi Army Friends

Here is a picture from Tower 5 of me standing with some of the IA (Iraqi Army) soldiers who have joined us in defending our base. Some of them have been in service for years, where as others only months. They none speak fluent English which makes it hard, but what little we can say we enjoy the conversations.

Peacemakers' Men of Service

To the Left is Chaplin Clark and to the right his assistant SSG Young

Chapel of the Peacemakers

This is the Chapel of the Peacemakers. It is a small building that holds about 25 people and is an awesome place to be. Captain (Chaplin) Clark is the primary spiritual advisors of the 2 Squadron Peacemakers and joined in service with him is SSG Dewey Young of Sparta (member of Gum Springs). These two men have done a lot for the Christians and non-Christian by providing a loving and caring environment for all who wish to partake. On the inside are wonderfully paneled walls and ceilings done by the two of them with banners provided by churches in Tennessee. "Blessed are the Peacemakers."

Shooting From Inside the FOB Today

Today Gun 12 got to shoot another mission; this time without us. Not sure on the total number but they did a great job of hitting the target once again. Something note worthy; SGT Stewart who is the primary gunner of his section got to fire his first live mission as a chieft-solo-today. Great job! If you were wondering about the guy standing behind the Gun as it was firing that is our Smoke (Platoon Sergeant). Not sure why he was there but holding your ears when that close is always a good thing to do.

Candy Success

About five days ago I received my first shipment of candy in from the new Candy ministry of FBC Sparta. Not knowing when I would be leaving the FOB again I put the box of candy away to find out that my next mission was only days away. So the day came of the mission and we got all of our stuff ready to go and I couldn’t forget the box. Unfortunately I had to stay in the bottom of the Gun on this trip but the work still had to be done. SGT Campbell, the Chief of Section, did the work of throwing the candy out to all the children he saw and was quick enough to get a picture of them picking it up also. Thanks to all who participated in the new ministry and remember that this isn't by any means my ministry, but out ministry. I just get to see the fruits. Hope you enjoy the picture (used by permission of SGT Campbell).

Iraqi School

On the way back in from our mission we drove though Tuz and saw this school. It looked like a pretty big school, but maybe not compared to our standards. The children seemed pretty happy to see us as they all ran to the wall; to bad we couldn't throw the candy we had left that far. Also, notice their love for basketball. The goal isn't even there. Got to feel bad for the country; just joking.

The Mission for the Day

This was one of our longest missions. We were out of the FOB for about 6 hours and shot a total of 13 rounds. This is a picture of Gun 12 shooting, SGT Linebarger's section. We were shooting our Super 8 Red Bag, the largest powder bag we have and as you can see it puts out a little smoke. After firing we headed up to the impact area to talk to the FO's (Forward Observers) who are the ones who call in the grids for us to hit. They said we were STEEL ON TARGET once again. This has been another added to a good list of accomplished training missions where our shooting has been flawless. If I was the insurgents I would stay away for the Peacemaker AO (Area of Operation).

Scorpions

We found these little guys up on the roof of our bunker. Well, actually SPC Bridges did and he was the one with the courage to catch them. I would have rather just stepped on them myself, but that is just me. They were only about the size of a thumb so I don't think they were too dangerous yet, but what do I know. Nor do I know how big they will get. Hopefully not too big and hopefully we don't find anymore, especially near my sleeping area.

My Brother: Matt

Hey everyone, this is my brother, Matt Rhoton. You can see that he got the blessing of the good looks from the family gene pool. He is now living in Mesa, AZ. He is a pretty cool guy and wanted a place in my blog so here he is.

Cross Cannons

The Finest Artillery Platoon in the Army

Section 11

This is the section I am privileged enough to be a part of: Section 11, Gun 1. From left to right we have: SPC Hayman (Driver), SPC Bridges (Section Driver), SGT Campbell (Chief of Section), SPC Franco (secondary Chief & Primary Gunner), myself (Secondary Chief, Secondary Gunner & Number One Man), SPC Lloyd (Secondary Chief, Ammo Carrier Chief, Secondary Gunner, and Number One Man), [not pictured] SGT Woodby (Secondary Chief & Secondary Gunner).

REGULATORS: 3rd Platoon 1 HOW BTRY of the 278th RCT

Say hello to the Regulators. This is the platoon that I am apart of and is now located at FOB Bernstein. Our mission is to aid the 2nd Squadron Peacemakers in their efforts to maintain and promote peace in this region.

SGT Bryant Standing in One of Our Craters

This is SGT Bryant standing in one of the many craters we left on this impact area. It was a special treat to go to the impact area after one of the training missions we accomplished. Thankfully there weren't any sheep in the field on this day which has been a problem for us in the past.

Largest Mosque in Tuz

This is a picture I got when coming back in from one of our missions. It is the largest mosque in Tuz and the picture really doesn't do it credit. It is a wonderful building when compared to the ones which surround it through out the rest of the city.

Iraqi Children

These are some of the local children of Iraq. They are some who live just a few miles north of FOB Bernstein. Seeing children like this who love to give thumbs up and asking for candy is a norm for a day convoy.

Stairway to Heaven

This is a picture that was taken from the OP (Observation Post) at Brassfield-Mora one morning.  If you will look to the bottom right of the sun you will see the Tower of Bable, also know as the Stairway to Heaven.  It is located in the nothern past of Samarra and is one of thier most loved religious structures.

B-Day Blanket

Thanks you guys

I just want to send out a special thanks to Ryanne who has helped me with the problem of pictures. Due to her educating me I will now be able to put some pics to support my writings. Thank you Rye.

Getting Better

Over the past four days I haven't been able to eat or drink anything. I was pretty dehydrated and in pretty bad shape. So yesterday morning I went to sick call and the docs hooked me up. They gave me an IV and pumped 1000ml of fluid, and some meds to ease my stomach so I could eat and drink, into my veins. I'm taking some pills now and feeling much better. Thank you to all who prayed for me as God has answered your prayers.

The Old Pastor

In reading a book about how the church is suppose to be, "The Master's Plan for the Chruch" (John MacArtur), I came across a story that was so wonderful that tears came close. I hope you enjoy.

I read about an old pastor who had been forced to retire because years of preaching had caused his voice to crack. Although a humble man, he was invited to a high-society luncheon by a friend. The person heading up the luncheon requested a famous actor who was present to recite something for the guests. Agreeing to do so, he asked if anyone had a specific request. The old pastor thought for a moment and said, "How about the Twenty-Third Psalm?" The actor replied, "That's an unusual request, but I happen to know it. I'll do it on one condition, though: you recite it after me." The old pastor hadn't bargained for that, but for the sake of the Lord, he agreed. The actor stood up and recited the Twenty-Third Psalm with the great intonation of his lyrical voice. When he finished, everyone applauded. The old pastor then stood up and went through the psalm in his humble way with a crackling voice. When he was done, there was not a dry eye in the room. Sensing the emotion of the moment, the actor stood up and said, "You clapped for me, but you wept for him. The difference is obvious. I know the psalm, but he knows the Shepherd."

--The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (Psalm 23)

Out and About--Candy for the Children

Yesterday was a good day, up at 0330 for me so that I could go talk to some friends who are more like family. Got to talk to Leah and Nancy for a while and to Dustin along enough for him to give me a picture he took of himself with his new camera. And I also got to talk to Sampson about the ever changing story of his life and the girls mixed it to it. So it was a good morning, even if a little early. Then I went on to work at around 0515 because even though the mission was on for the afternoon we still had to replace Gun12 at 06. About 0645 we got relieved and headed back to the bunker to get our Gun ready to role out (for those who may not know what I do I am in artillery and a gun isn’t like a M16 but it is a 56,000 lb track vehicle that shoots 100 lb rounds along way). The Lt. gave his mission briefing at 0800 and we started our training on the certain type of mission planned for the day.

It was a different sort of mission that we did this time then we would normally do so we had to make sure that any sort of bugs were worked out and we would be able to fire in a fast and safe manner. So we left out at 1245 and headed to the firing point. It wasn’t a long trip to the firing point, about one hour. It was a good trip though the city of Tuz, my first being up out of the hatch to see what is going on around me. I had ridden though before but that was in a Hum V and it is a little different when your in a track and your 10ft of the ground. The Gas lines were long as ever, poor people. Children were out on the streets also, many who seem to work with their parents selling all sorts of merchandise. With so many children out it gave us a great chance to give out some of the candy that we had prepared for the trip.

So we got down to the firing point and set up and were ready to fire. One of the hard things about this mission we did today is that it is designed to work in cooperation with the Air Force. We are to fire projectiles as the Air Force comes in and drops there bombs on top of the enemy target. Today’s wasn’t a really mission, just a practice for the real thing encase it is needed. But the thing is, we have to be fast and on time to do this sort of mission. If we are seconds late in the real thing it could mean a horrible end for some pilot. So we began the mission and everything went great, but for some reason the Lt. didn’t think we were ready to stop training so we repeated the whole thing again. In all we shot 12 rounds down range. Then we picked up our gear and headed toward the impact area.

This was something pretty neat for me because I have never been to the impact zone. Being a 13B shooting rounds is what I do so I don’t usually get to see what damage we do. So we march down to the impact area and look around. It was pretty interesting. Got to see where the rounds hit. It doesn’t make that big of a hole usually because as soon as it hits the round blows throwing shrapnel all over the place. But one hit a trench of some sort and made a pretty nice little hole in the ground. We also shot four M825 Smoke rounds which are filled with WP (white phosperous). That is basically a chemical that when mixed with water and oxygen is highly flammable and if ever came into contact with a person it would burn though their flesh. Thankfully we didn’t have any sheep in the impact area today, what a way to die. But when we came up along the impact of a couple they still had some of it burning in small clumps. It was pretty neat to see what it looks like. Well we got the view of the damage we came for so we headed back to the base.

Went back though Tuz and gave out more candy and Gatorades to the children and Iraqi Army soldiers manning the check points we went though. I got some pretty cool pictures of the Mosk that is in the city, well the big one at least.

Well I hope you enjoyed my little of excitement for the day. If anything about the candy distribution to the children affected you in any sort of way you might think about becoming a partner in the ministry FBC Sparta is starting up. They will be sending me candy though the next few months that I am here and I will be giving it out to the children of Iraq in my area of operation. One reason it is so good to do so is to show that we, Americans, are here not to hurt or rule them, but to help them to a better life where they can govern themselves. These kids are to young at the point to understand that, but it may be our kindness of today that makes them have good relations with us in the future and may be a small measure in preventing our next couple of generations from having to make the journey I have had to make over here.

Also, in all things we are to glorify God in the product. If you have anyway of getting the Word of God in Iraqi form I encourage you to send that to me so that I can put that info in the candy bags and they read and maybe though the Word of God and the Holy Spirit be led to a life given to Jesus. Packing the candy in small Ziploc bags will also be a tremendous help in saving me time and bags may be hard to come by here, but if that is to much trouble do worry about it.

So if you are interested in joining the ministry send what you can to either


FBC Candy Ministry
308 N. Spring St.
Sparta, TN 38583

Or

SGT. Naaktgeboren
HWB 1/278
OIF 3, Bernstein
APO-AE-09374

GOD BLESS (MATTHEW 6:33)