Spc. Corey Weaver, HHB, 2nd Bn., 43rd ADA, loosens the ratchet on a rail car.

Patriot Battalions prepare
for movement to Persian Gulf Region

"We don't know exactly when we're leaving but we're ready," said Pfc. Severin Turner, 555th Maintenance Company, 108th Brigade, as the unit rail-loaded equipment to be shipped last week.

Turner, a generator mechanic, was among the soldiers who were loading equipment that was being shipped to a southern port.

According to Operations Officer Maj. Kyle Kelly, 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, 108th Bde., about 200 pieces of equipment, to include vehicles, generators, launchers, radar power platform communication and support equipment for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 weapons system were uploaded within days.

Kelly said that the soldiers worked really hard loading that much equipment on the rail cars in only a couple of days, making the mission successful.

The soldiers received a visit from Gen. Larry R. Ellis, U.S. Army Forces Command commanding general. Ellis thanked the soldiers for their work and support by handing them coins.

Sgt. Kevin Smith 555th, who received a coin from Ellis said that the general's visit was a morale booster. "He's here early in the operation, he's showing his support," said Smith.

Soldiers like Spc. Rose Maupin and Spc. Frances Crespo, 555th Maint. Co. said that they felt proud to be part of the unit and that their morale was high due to the support from their families.

Staff Sgt. Jeff Long, 555th Maintenance Company, (left), ensures the Humvee is securely chained to the rail car.

Spc. Ronald Wooster, D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, ties down a five-ton vehicle with trailer.

---

Paintball brings mock
combat to soldiers

Spc. Bobby Miller
19th PAD

There is only one soldier left still alive. The enemy does not know where he is, but he has to move fast or it is "curtains."

The soldier peeks over the obstruction he is hiding behind and fires: one shot, one kill. Now it is one on one, carefully crouched, waiting, the enemy peeks his head up and quickly the soldier fires and eliminates him. The last soldier left alive sprints to the flag, carries it to the enemy's starting area and basks in the victory. His teammates come out of the kill box and celebrate. The adrenaline rush is there and they move on to the next round. This is paintball at its best.

While servicemembers in Camp Doha, Kuwait, are restricted to post, it is hard to find things to keep them busy and smiling. Camp Doha Morale Welfare and Recreation found an activity to do just that: paintball. MWR held its first ever paintball tournament at the far end of the Camp Doha running track, Dec. 26.

"It is awesome. It is a break from the stresses of Camp Doha," said Sgt. James Mapp, 249th Engineer Battalion.

"It is a great thing, it gives us something to do and it is fun," said Sgt James Alan, 249th Eng. "It is relaxing, you are out here blowing off some steam, and there is rivalry and good competition," said Staff Sgt. Douglas Eshenbaugh, 249th Eng.

The tournament involved 16 teams that battled the day away for a championship trophy. The area used as the war zone was approximately 60 yards long and 40 yards wide with shrubbery and wooden obstructions to provide cover.

The pieces of plywood were nailed to pallates to form a 'V,' where a soldier could hide, take cover and avoid getting shot. Staff Sgt. Douglas Eshenbaugh said some times it hurts to get shot.

"It initially stings when you get hit. Most of the time you are on an adrenaline rush," he said.

The games lasted an average of one minute and were very aggressive. The rules were strict on safety and the spectators were kept back around 100 yards.

Three concrete walls surround the area where the games were played, which made the area ideal for the game. The teams started at opposite ends of the field and stood with their backs turned. When the starting whistle blew, the participants turned around and commenced the combat.

When one of the teams had all members 'killed,' the remaining team captured the flag and carried it to the opposing teams starting area and the game was over.

Lead Outdoor Recreation Specialist and coordinator and planner for this event, P.J. Hopkins, said that the soldiers couldn't go off post to play so she brought the game to Camp Doha.

"There are a lot of people interested in paintball, and a lot were going to the women's correctional facility to play. The correctional facility is not on Camp Doha. Since everybody is locked down we brought it to them."

Hopkins also said that people are showing interest in playing, and soldiers are having fun playing.

"They love it," Hopkins said. "Paintball is an up-and-coming sport and it is very popular now. As soon as we put out the e-mail that all teams and openings were taken, we had at least 15 teams call and want to be put on the stand-by list."

According to Hopkins, ideally, MWR would put on a paintball tournament every other month, but are working out monetary issues.

Capt. Jedd Welder, S-3 for Army Central Command-Kuwait, and one of the referees for the paintball tournament said that the game is great for morale. "This is a tremendous morale booster É I play back in the States, so this is like a part of home," said Eshenbaugh.