CWOs aboard Al Asad hold inter-service BBQ

10/15/2009 By Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez , Multi National Force - West

On a cool, breezy evening, warrant officers and chief warrant officers deployed with II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) hosted a barbecue for their counterparts in the United States Army aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Oct. 3, 2009.

The barbecue was designed to present a relaxing environment for the soldiers and Marines to mingle and network, bringing the already small warrant officer community ever closer.

As steaks, burgers and hot dogs cooked on the grill, the technical experts conversed and shared stories, which helped build connections.

“We’re meeting up here so that way we can exchange contacts and so on,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Tony R. Ulep, a motor transport and engineer maintenance officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 46. “It’s important that we exchange as many contacts as possible because the warrant officer community is such a small one.”

What made the gathering unique were the new additions amongst the guests.

Several chief warrant officers from the U.S. Army were in attendance and the plan is to further build relationships among the military branches.

“I like Army chief warrant officers and I respect them,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Troy A. Price, the II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward) Communications Detachment telephone systems operator. “They hold a long and proud history and they’ve done a lot to advance the status of chief warrant officers throughout the military.”

The Marine chief warrant officers have been holding these monthly meetings since their arrival in theater. The plan is to continue doing so, now inviting their Army counterparts.

“These barbecues are really nothing new,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Denise V. Barnes, the officer in charge of detention evaluation and assessment with Task Force Military Police. “It’s good to hold meetings like this and bring in new people. It helps everyone to better learn from each other’s experiences.”

“Events like these really help push out a lot of connections and hookups that, in most other instances, would never happen,” said Ulep. “For example: You’ve got some guy who’s a heavy equipment operator and one of his vehicles needs to be repaired in a timely manner. He’ll know that there are people he can call who may be able to advance the process.”

As the evening went on, chief warrant officers of various commands shared their thoughts and experiences before retiring to their shops. It is events like this, and the comradeship which develops from it, that help build a strong warrant officer corps.

Ellie