The Islamic holy month of Ramadan will begin on August 1st and continue until about the end of the month this year.
A press release from the wing chapel at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, explains the details and significance of the celebration: Read more
Articles from Iraq and Afghanistan highlight the importance of the military Chaplaincy and Chapels for US servicemembers deployed to war.
First, an Air Force article from Joint Base Balad, Iraq, notes the goals military members set in the deployed environment:
Many people on a deployment create goals such as getting in better physical shape or taking educational classes, but there is another area that is sometimes forgotten…spiritual fitness.
and the military’s remedy to the comprehensive fitness servicemembers need:
The mission of the…Wing Chapel is to ensure the free exercise of religion and promote spiritual fitness for the human weapon systems.
Chaplain (Col) George Meister explained the importance of the Chapel’s contribution to the getting the mission done: Read more
A recent Army article noted the continuation of a longstanding aviation tradition: conducting sorties with American flags onboard the aircraft. These “combat experienced” flags are then given to any of a variety of organizations or requesting individuals back home.
The [Army aviators] fly the flag a bit differently. They fly their flags inside an Apache attack helicopter while patrolling the skies of Iraq. Read more
An Air Force public affairs article described an officer’s deployment in support of mortuary affairs at Dover, a somber and honorable duty.
The article inadvertently touched on another historical tradition of the US Air Force (or, more accurately, the US Army Air Forces). The author published a photo of her grandfather with his A-20 Havoc in World War II:
A close up Read more
A Chaplain candidate recently explained what motivated her to join the US military Chaplaincy:
[Doretta] Fortenberry spent quite a bit of time visiting with battle-weary, solace-seeking soldiers [during a deployment to Iraq].
“They knew I was a Christian and would come ask me spiritual questions,” Fortenberry said. “We ended up losing six soldiers while we were there. Soldiers started to come to me trying to understand, questioning the deeper meaning of life, why does this happen, what happens when you die? Death was a real reality, and still is, for soldiers.”
It became obvious to Fortenberry that she could combine military with ministry.
“All of a sudden, there it was,” Fortenberry said. “This is what God Read more
The US Army proudly announced its MQ-1C Gray Eagle had successfully employed a Hellfire missile in Iraq.
Of course, the Army’s Gray Eagle is essentially the same aircraft as the Air Force’s Predator, which has been armed for some time.
The article notes some of the differences between Air Force and Army operations:
The Air Force’s Predator drones are flown by officers who are usually located back in the USA and connected to the airframes by satellite link. But flying the Army’s Gray Eagle is an enlisted soldier’s affair, done in theater and close to the ground troops that the airframe serves.
This Easter, celebrate the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, and take a moment to remember those who defend our freedoms while deployed around the world. They, too, will celebrate His resurrection — even in small outposts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. And then they’ll stand up, adjust their gear, and step out on their next mission, always at their Nation’s call.
The early morning sun drifts above the horizon during Easter sunrise services at Camp Liberty, Iraq. (Photo by Sgt. Mark Matthews)
A Chaplain assistant has an interesting story of his eventual enlistment in the US Army: God led him to it. From the Army article entitled “God Made a Path to the Army, It Made a Path to Peace:”
After Hurricane Ike, [Spc. Kendall] Jackson was laid off and out of work yet again. Desperate, Jackson said he started reading his Bible, looking for answers, but everything he read talked about fighting in the Army.
While he was out looking for work “with everyone else,” a stranger approached him, touched his shoulder, and said, “Do what God has told you to do.” Jackson shook off this odd encounter. Then, after a Read more