thedrifter
04-23-07, 06:46 AM
April 23, 2007 - 12:00AM
Command master chief proud of Navy role in Iraq
CHRISSY VICK / DAILY NEWS STAFF
Editor's note: In Country is a series of profiles on high-ranking enlisted leading troops in the war on terror. The series will run periodically on Monday's Liberty.
Command Master Chief Michael Munn is proud of the 2,700 sailors serving in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
He says they are not only doing a "superb job" in all areas from combat to surgery, but that they are making a difference in the lives of others.
"One of their services is providing life-saving medical skills to the (Marine Air Ground Task Force)," said Munn, command master chief of II Marine Expeditionary Force Forward and the senior enlisted sailor in Al Anbar Province. "Marines fight because they know in the event of injury they're going to get good medical care. We're saving lives daily."
Munn's job is to oversee the sailors in Al Anbar Province, where a large majority serve as medical support. Around 50 serve as chaplains or religious program specialists, while sailors also serve as members of the ground element, air wing and logistics group. The 30th Naval Construction Regiment, based in California, heads up a number of construction projects on bases and in Iraqi towns.
Munn says each of the sailors play a vital role in the war.
"Wherever you find a Marine, you're going to find a sailor alongside him," he said. "They believe in what they're doing because they see such a difference being made. I think that today, in comparison to four years ago, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel."
Many of Munn's sailors have seen up to four tours in Iraq, but he says morale remains high.
"I see their heroic actions daily," Munn said. "For some, this is their fourth deployment to Iraq and they still come here without hesitation and they do their job exceptionally well."
Sailors say they're making the biggest difference as a part of the transition of operations to the Iraqi security forces and government, he said.
"We're beginning to transfer security to the Iraqi Army," Munn said. "They are independently running operations that are very successful. Recruiting is great and they've got a very functional police force."
Naval construction teams are renovating and rebuilding office spaces for the judiciary system, while doing civil repairs.
"They are exceptionally busy," Munn said. "They have a lot of projects internally and out in town. They are constructing bridges, repairing roads and the public health system. They do it all."
Military and police transition teams are embedded with the Iraqi Army and police forces - each of which has a corpsman attached.
"I watch the media like everybody else does and a lot of the stories are untold here, stories of how we're rebuilding everything from the school systems to public health," Munn said. "And our transition teams are training the Iraqis to be an effective force."
Navy corpsman and doctors are also teaching Iraqi doctors and medics how to "effectively operate on their own," he said. Sailors also serve with border transition teams, which are training the Iraqis to protect their country.
"There are a number of sailors doing a number of jobs over here - probably 30 separate rates of jobs," Munn said.
Chaplains fill the religious need of the troops, he said, calling them the "unsung heroes" of the war.
"Wherever there are sailors, they want to worship," Munn said. "The chaplains travel all over the place providing that basic need... They also provide counseling - if someone needs to talk, the chaplain is always there to listen."
That support is something that has helped many sailors, especially those who deal with difficult situations as medical personnel. Munn says the sailors' "moral courage" is what keeps them going despite the challenges they face.
"They're dedicated to what they're doing for their fellow Marines and sailors," Munn said. "They do see some very violent things, but we give them time to decompress. As a whole they do very well because they know they are making a difference."
He says everyone at home should be proud.
"The Marines, sailors, airmen and soldiers here in Al Anbar Province are doing a stand-up job," he said. "I think when we do leave there will be a government in place that will be able to protect itself and the Iraqi people."
Contact staff writer Chrissy Vick at cvick@freedomenc.com or by calling 353-1171, ext. 239.
Ellie
Command master chief proud of Navy role in Iraq
CHRISSY VICK / DAILY NEWS STAFF
Editor's note: In Country is a series of profiles on high-ranking enlisted leading troops in the war on terror. The series will run periodically on Monday's Liberty.
Command Master Chief Michael Munn is proud of the 2,700 sailors serving in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
He says they are not only doing a "superb job" in all areas from combat to surgery, but that they are making a difference in the lives of others.
"One of their services is providing life-saving medical skills to the (Marine Air Ground Task Force)," said Munn, command master chief of II Marine Expeditionary Force Forward and the senior enlisted sailor in Al Anbar Province. "Marines fight because they know in the event of injury they're going to get good medical care. We're saving lives daily."
Munn's job is to oversee the sailors in Al Anbar Province, where a large majority serve as medical support. Around 50 serve as chaplains or religious program specialists, while sailors also serve as members of the ground element, air wing and logistics group. The 30th Naval Construction Regiment, based in California, heads up a number of construction projects on bases and in Iraqi towns.
Munn says each of the sailors play a vital role in the war.
"Wherever you find a Marine, you're going to find a sailor alongside him," he said. "They believe in what they're doing because they see such a difference being made. I think that today, in comparison to four years ago, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel."
Many of Munn's sailors have seen up to four tours in Iraq, but he says morale remains high.
"I see their heroic actions daily," Munn said. "For some, this is their fourth deployment to Iraq and they still come here without hesitation and they do their job exceptionally well."
Sailors say they're making the biggest difference as a part of the transition of operations to the Iraqi security forces and government, he said.
"We're beginning to transfer security to the Iraqi Army," Munn said. "They are independently running operations that are very successful. Recruiting is great and they've got a very functional police force."
Naval construction teams are renovating and rebuilding office spaces for the judiciary system, while doing civil repairs.
"They are exceptionally busy," Munn said. "They have a lot of projects internally and out in town. They are constructing bridges, repairing roads and the public health system. They do it all."
Military and police transition teams are embedded with the Iraqi Army and police forces - each of which has a corpsman attached.
"I watch the media like everybody else does and a lot of the stories are untold here, stories of how we're rebuilding everything from the school systems to public health," Munn said. "And our transition teams are training the Iraqis to be an effective force."
Navy corpsman and doctors are also teaching Iraqi doctors and medics how to "effectively operate on their own," he said. Sailors also serve with border transition teams, which are training the Iraqis to protect their country.
"There are a number of sailors doing a number of jobs over here - probably 30 separate rates of jobs," Munn said.
Chaplains fill the religious need of the troops, he said, calling them the "unsung heroes" of the war.
"Wherever there are sailors, they want to worship," Munn said. "The chaplains travel all over the place providing that basic need... They also provide counseling - if someone needs to talk, the chaplain is always there to listen."
That support is something that has helped many sailors, especially those who deal with difficult situations as medical personnel. Munn says the sailors' "moral courage" is what keeps them going despite the challenges they face.
"They're dedicated to what they're doing for their fellow Marines and sailors," Munn said. "They do see some very violent things, but we give them time to decompress. As a whole they do very well because they know they are making a difference."
He says everyone at home should be proud.
"The Marines, sailors, airmen and soldiers here in Al Anbar Province are doing a stand-up job," he said. "I think when we do leave there will be a government in place that will be able to protect itself and the Iraqi people."
Contact staff writer Chrissy Vick at cvick@freedomenc.com or by calling 353-1171, ext. 239.
Ellie