News Report on Operation Outreach

Excerpts from a new article on Operation outreach include:

"Operation Outreach began in 2004 in an effort to forge stronger relationships with the local Bedouin populace that live around Ali Base, Iraq."

"'The goal of the program is to enhance base relationships with the local community and to foster communication and cooperation that can benefit force protection efforts,'" said Lt. Col. Charles F. Spencer Jr., 407th Expeditionary Support Squadron commander, deployed from Andrews. Colonel Spencer is also the 1st Airlift Squadron commander."

"The base chapel community has given monetary donations of more than $2,100, said Chaplain Reedy. Donations have been used to purchase needed items and to pay for postage. Also, approximately 70 pairs of sandals were purchased through donations. The commissary also worked with the vendors to donate 400 care packages consisting of toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo and chocolate candy bars. Andrews Officers' Spouses' Club donated stuffed animals."

Read the entire article about "Operation Outreach" in Andrews newspaper "The Capital Flyer" here: article

Off we go

Later this evening I'll say goodbye as a friend goes off for his deployment to the Middle East. As a chaplain, I'm sure he will have many opportunities to serve. Also one of our other staff members is off for his deployment. I myself depart Saturday for six weeks of training in how the AF does military chaplaincy. This will include a practice deployment training scenario in the field in Florida somewhere for about a week. After this training, I should be deployable myself. I'm looking forward to the school, though I must admit I will miss work. I truly enjoy the day to day work that we do and the people we work with. It will be a sad return as I will only have a few weeks left with one of our chaplains who will be leaving for better things. I've truly enjoyed working with all our chaplains.

The hardest part about leaving is trying to explain it to the littlest ones in the family. My two year old daughter sat on the porch the last time I was gone for an extended time asking if this way the day "daddy" was coming home. She's already aware that I'll be leaving again. But the truth is, it is still an honor, even with the cost to serve. Even when the time comes to deploy for an extended time to the theatre of operations, I do so recognizing the freedom and life that we enjoy here in this country is not guaranteed, but it must be preserved with much work and sometimes much cost.

Pictures from the desert

Here are some pictures back from Iraq of the school supplies and other items that were shipped from the chapel community at Andrews to one of our commanders who is deployed there and working with "Operation Outreach". His First Seargent and I made the purchases and arranged shipping. Airmen on the receiving end took the items out to local bedouyn tribes.


I especially like this first picture of this little barefooted girl with her box of crayons, paper, pencils, and other school supplies.







Another picture with a young family.







Here, the bulk of what was sent has arrived. Items included notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, rulers, sandals, and some toys. Also, other organizations on base here at Andrews sent some school supplies and clothing as well.








Notice the "Hooters" sweatshirt worn by the little boy on the left. What is considered a castoff in our world can be a great thing in another place.



Our troops are making a difference. So are the people who supported this program through the chapel. One constant message I hear from our wounded as they pass through, is how much they love the children of Iraq and how much the children love our soldiers. They are bright and beautiful people, and I suspect that one day American and Iraqi shall be the best of friends.