Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Houston | Spc. Joseph Cook, a native of Carbondale, Ill., who serves with Headquarters and...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Whitney Houston
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WAR EAGLE, Iraq – Upkeep, maintenance, conservation and preservation are actions that ensure longevity and sustainment to any organization and functional society.
Spc. Joseph Cook, native of Carbondale, Ill., serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, leads an Iraqi workforce on Forward Operating Base War Eagle that ensures daily maintenance and improvement for Soldiers and others occupying the small base in northeastern Baghdad.
"My day usually starts out with a handful of work orders that come into the mayor's cell from throughout the FOB, which usually dictate the day," Cook said. "On top of that, we have this rather long checklist of things to be done on a daily basis around the FOB to keep it maintained and keep it running."
During his time on FOB War Eagle, he has had many opportunities to improve the quality of life for Soldiers living here.
"Part of maintaining the FOB is to also trying to find ways to better the lives of those who live on it," Cook said.
After being asked about bringing a sporting alternative to the Soldiers of the Striker Brigade, he looked up the measurements of a real basketball court and went from there. He was also involved in getting more phones and computers for the Morale Welfare and Recreation center.
He said he found his position on the team rewarding and has enjoyed working with the Soldiers whom he provides guidance.
"To have him fall into a position where he didn't have any experience in leadership or management, and to excel at the rate that he did is nothing short of an accomplishment. He really has excelled and has more than proven that he is a capable Soldier," said Capt. Walter Zurkowsky, a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, who is the executive officer for HHT, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
| Date Taken: | 01.12.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.12.2009 14:13 |
| Story ID: | 28764 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 282 |
| Downloads: | 140 |
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