Photo By Capt. Robert Burnham | U.S. Army Spc. Richard Frost, Pittsfield, N.H., is assisted by a translator as he...... read more read more
BAGHDAD, Iraq - For Soldiers of the 114th Public Affairs Detachment based out of Concord, N.H., deployment has brought about constant periods of adjustment and personal development.
Their road to deployment was not unlike many other National Guard units who balanced the domestic responsibilities of long-term absences from their full-time jobs, homes and families while committing to additional training assemblies and duty days to meet pre-mobilization requirements.
Once finally on the ground in Baghdad, the members of the 114th soon faced the additional challenge of providing the major manpower necessary to support public affairs activities for the ground forces headquarters of the Operation Iraqi Freedom campaign.
"As a small unit supporting a corps level public affairs office, the pace of our operations has surprised us. We are producing news, photos and videos that we only could have dreamed of during training," said Master Sgt. Michael Daigle, Andover, N.H.
Commenting on the demands of daily operations, Daigle went on to say, "There are even brief moments when we can forget that we miss home and everything we left behind."
For some members of the 114th, life deployed in Iraq is a more familiar experience, though the mission and operational environment are quite different from only a few years ago.
Staff Sgt. Attila Fazekas, Webster, N.H., who contributes to both the broadcast and print journalism mission of the 114th, last served as a Black Hawk maintenance crew chief with aviation Soldiers from the Montana Army National Guard in 2004.
"Last time was about combat missions, this time is about reconciliation and partnership, allowing our Iraq partners to take the lead," he said.
Speaking about the differences between his last deployment and the present deployment, Fazekas reflects that as a Black Hawk crew chief the experience was mostly autonomous, focusing on the aircraft. Now as the leader of a small section applying new skills, he is responsible for working closely with his section members to maintain their welfare and growth as soldiers and journalists.
"I'm definitely glad that I've come along on this mission," Fazekas said.
Private 1st Class Karin Leach of Keene, N.H., is the detachment's youngest member. Leach joined the unit just after graduating from Keene High School. Now, less than a year later the 18 year old journalist has contributed to informing US citizens of current battlefield information as her photographs and news stories that have graced the pages of newspapers and media websites throughout America.
When asked about the comparison between herself and her fellow classmates Leach comments, "I think the biggest difference between myself and my classmates are my priorities. When I joined the Guard I knew I would be in Iraq a year later. Their day to day problems are different from mine. I have to think about what's important in a combat zone."
Leach recently reported on the first ever college graduation ceremony to be held amidst combat operations in Iraq. The story she wrote was successfully marketed to the Associated Press and reached a national audience of over 19 million readers.
In addition to news production, some members of the 114th are working in support of current and future operations through training and partnership with Iraqi Army public affairs counterparts.
Members of the 114th have developed a working relationship and friendship with soldiers of the Iraqi ground forces command media section also based out of Baghdad. Weekly, journalists representing U.S. and Iraqi military collaborate on joint engagements and meet to share experiences.
"In the classroom we build on the common principles of newsgathering, working through the small differences in layout and broadcast editing techniques of Arabic media," said Staff Sgt. Luke Koladish, Manchester, N.H., a print journalist with the unit since 2005.
"I get the most enjoyment being on a shoot with my Iraqi counterparts, working together to get the angles and the footage we need to complete our mission."
Spc. Amburr Reese, Franklin, N.H., quickly found herself adjusting to foreign responsibilities when she volunteered to fill the Multi-National Corps — Iraq Joint Operations Center Public Affairs non-commissioned officer position.
"I've gained a better perspective of operations and a better understanding of the whole picture," Reese said. "Working in the JOC, I have learned to pay better attention to open source media. I'm optimistic that this experience will make me a more well-rounded public affairs specialist."
Faced with a multitude of demanding responsibilities and challenges, it has been the unit's strong sense of togetherness and positive attitude that have been the trademarks of the 114th.
Lt. Col. Brian Tribus, Morristown, N.J., chief of media operations for Multi-National Corps — Iraq commented on the disposition of the unit, "What a group of characters. They really are a military family. I admire the way they joke with and take care of each other."
Tribus went on to say, "Despite the challenges of their mission and the environment we're in, the 114th chooses to be fired up — they are always smiling and motivated. Their attitude is contagious —I am a happier person when I get to spend time with them."
The 114th assumed responsibilities from the 13th Public Affairs Detachment out of Fort Hood, Texas in April and is scheduled to maintain their current mission through winter of 2010.
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.23.2009 13:02 |
| Story ID: | 35534 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 585 |
| Downloads: | 440 |
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