Welcome NMCB 74

“Can Do”

Christmas Carol pg. 2

Well Dedication pg. 4
NMCB 74 pg. 5
MWR: Instanbul pg. 7

https://www.cnic.navy.mil/cldj/lemonnierpost/index.htm

Captain’s
Corner
Cover: Steelworker 3rd Class Damion
Davis, from Naval Mobile Construction Bat-
talion (NMCB) 74 welds a truss at Camp
Lemonnier as part of a camp construction
project. NMCB 74 recently relieved NMCB 7.
(MC1 Garza)
Lemonnier Post Staff: MCC Frank Mon-
tellano, CLDJ PAO; MC2 (SW/AW) Marc
Rockwell-Pate, Editor/Writer; Scott Camp-
bell, Technical Advisor. Camp Lemonnier
Post is a monthly publication for personnel
and the family members of personnel based
at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ) . If you
have questions or suggestions, contact the
editor at: marc.rockwellpate@eu.navy.mil
A
Christmas
Carol
Making Camp Lemonnier history, the
American Community Theater group
performed the camp’s first ever stage
production Dec. 18-19, bringing to life
Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol,”
with a twist, at 11 Degrees North.
Volunteers, both military and civilian,
performed an adaption written by Mark
Landon Smith, and gave a comical and
humorous spin to the classic tale.
Service members, civilians, contrac-
tors and distinguished visitors packed
the theater the first night, not knowing
exactly what to expect but welcomed
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and
Happy New Year!
My thanks to MWR, Command
Chaplain Beyer and our choirs for ar-
ranging the first Tree Lighting Cere-
mony at Camp Lemonnier. This tradi-
tion, witnessed in cities across the U.S.
and around the world is a very proud
Holiday tradition. Regardless of faith
or denomination, it should bring found
memories and remind us we are all part
of the same human family.
For some this may be your first de-
ployment during the Holidays…or the
first in a while. Whether it’s your first
deployment or you’re a seasoned vet-
eran – it’s tough being away this time of
the year. Know you aren’t alone. Also
know, you have an amazing deployed
family here with you. Please take ad-
vantage of and enjoy the well deserved
break with each other over the upcom-
the cast with applause and laughter.
“We had no expectations except that
people would come and be entertained,”
said Rob James, a University of Mary-
land forward deployed representative
at camp and the play’s director. “We
didn’t know how many would come, but
we couldn’t have had a warmer recep-
tion.”
Over the two days, more than 600
people attended the show, added
James.
“At the end of both shows, we weren’t
able to finish our last lines because of
the audience’s applause was so deaf-
2
ing Holiday weekends. I also hope
you’ll participate in the events orga-
nized by MWR and enjoy the incredible
meals being prepared by our galley
staff.
As we spend this Holiday season
together in Djibouti, please accept my
thanks for your selfless service. Please
pass along my sincere thanks to your
families for their sacrifice and commit-
ment, which allows you to be here sup-
porting a vital and incredible mission.
I wish each of you and your fami-
lies the best this Holiday season. The
thought I won’t be home with my wife
this year is lessened knowing I’ll spend
it with an amazing and proud group of
men and women.
CAPT Darius Banaji, C.O.
ening, even though the lines were
shouted,” said James.
Support for the play came not only
from camp but also from around the
region, “without which, the play would
not have been possible.” Navy and
Army MWR Europe offices provided
the elaborate and authentic costumes,
many props and aided with copyright
and infringement issues.
“It was a very gratifying experience
because of the time of the year and
where we are – so far away from friends
and family,” said James.
U.S., Burundi exercise prepares
BNDF for peacekeeping mission
Story by Staff Sgt. Heather
Stanton

BURUNDI — A three-
officer team from the 2nd
Combined Arms Battalion,
137 Infantry with Combined
Joint Task Force-Horn of
Africa (CJTF-HOA) recently
returned from Burundi where
they worked alongside the
Burundian National Defense
Force (BNDF) in a com-
mand post exercise (CPX).
The exercise was the
capstone of a U.S. Depart-
ment of State-sponsored
command staff operations
course. The five-week
course is where battalion
commanders and staff “learn
the NATO military decision
making process,” according
Above: Burundian National Defense Force (BNDF) Captain Commander Jean Claude Bizoza, chief
to James Cobb, U.S. State
of staff during the exercise, gives the morning situation report to BNDF and U.S. command staff.
Department program coun-
try manager for Burundi. deployed location, Mittman and try to fix it and go on of our exchange is we pro-
During the exercise, the said. They were given frag- through. It’s trial and error.” vide them with a baseline
BNDF used what they previ- mentary orders from brigade The CJTF-HOA Soldiers of doctrine and information
ously learned in a scenario telling them they were go- provided a military pres- that is NATO-standard and
similar to what they may ex- ing to proceed as a brigade ence that their U.S. State can be applied to all peace-
perience during their upcom- and what their role would Department counterparts keeping operations on the
ing peacekeeping mission. be. With the order, they used did not necessarily possess. continent. It also gives (Afri-
“If you look back through the NATO decision process: “All of the (U.S. State De- can) battalion commanders
history, staff work probably analyze the situation, figure partment) instructors have a an opportunity to train their
gets more Soldiers killed on out the best course of action, wealth of experience and are staff with our assistance.”
the battlefield than an actual “wargame” the course of ac- all very competent,” Mittman Mittman understands
engagement, (more) than tion, make a final decision said. “But the fact that some- that the main purpose of
poor tactics decisions,” said and execute that decision. one is here wearing the uni- his presence in Burundi
Army Lt. Col. Gregory Mitt- Although there was a lan- form brings some legitimacy. wasn’t to teach the BNDF
man, 2-137 commander. guage barrier, Mittman said (It says) ‘here is real-time in- how to conduct their opera-
“Poor staff work can lead the BNDF’s inexperience with formation straight out of the tions, but really to build a
large numbers of Soldiers these type of seniors was the ranks of the U.S. military.’” partnership with the force
down the totally wrong biggest hurdle to overcome. The U.S. military partners and share best practices.
path with no options. If we “You try to teach through with the U.S. State Depart- “The truth is I really like
continue to help them re- it,” Mittman said. “Some- ment in many capacities to doing these types of en-
fine their staff work, ideally, times you don’t realize assist in developing African gagements,” Mittman said.
they’ll be able to minimize there is a problem until it armies’ skills for peacekeep- “Hopefully, if we can bring
their own casualties and is needed. You go through ing operations throughout them a little bit of sophistica-
try to lessen the suffering and ask questions and you Africa, according to Cobb. tion with regard to staff work,
on innocent populations.” find out there is a very ba- “It helps both Americans it’ll lessen the casualties they
During the CPX, the BNDF sic piece of information and Africans,” Cobb said. are having and help them be
battalion worked as though missing that is causing a lot “It gives us an opportunity more accomplished in finish-
they were in position at their of problems. You go back to partner together and part ing their mission.”

3
U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia
Dedicates New Well in Dire Dawa
Story and Photos by Spc. men farm and the chil-
Sheri Carter dren attend school.
DIRE DAWA, “In the past we
Ethiopia — U.S. Am- sometimes had to
bassador to Ethio- walk from sunrise to
pia Donald E. Booth sunset to collect water
dedicated a new well from the city but now
in the Adiga Falima our job will be easier,”
area of Dire Dawa said a village woman.
November 29, 2010. “On behalf of my
Members of the commander, Admiral
U.S. Naval Mobile Brian Losey, I would
Construction Battalion like to pass his best
7 (NMCB-7) complet- wishes to all the villag-
ed the first of seven ers and for the support
hand-pump-operated that you had in helping
wells Combined Joint the construction team
Task Force - Horn of that was here building
Africa (CJTF-HOA) the well,” said Capt.
committed to drill in Scott Vasina, Strate-
Above: Female members of the Gugure clan gather to test out a new well that
the Dire Dawa region was built by U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 (NMCB-7), June 14.
gic Communications
June 14. This is the director, CJTF-HOA.
only working well in and three in Gota. their crops alive and “God only knows Since the comple-
a 10 kilometer radius “This is a sign of benefit the com- all the hard work tion of the well, the
and services two vil- the commitment of munity as a whole.” they put into this and NMCB-7 have been
lages. the United States, The Gugure clan may God lead them involved in the main-
Since the well in the U.S. military and will be using this well. in the future,” said tenance and upkeep
Dire Dawa began the American people Many from the com- Chairman of Adiga of the well, making
use, another well has to assist here,” said munity turned out Falima, Jamal Issa. several repairs. That
been completed in Le- Ambassador Booth. in force to express In the Gugure clan, responsibility is be-
gota Mirga. Five wells “Having clean water their appreciation. it is customary that ing transitioned to the
remain to be built; is essential to life. They celebrated with the village women Dire Dawa Adminis-
one each in Ashadel- The well will help song and dance af- collect the water for tration of Wells, Mines
li and Gol Adag, keep villagers healthy, ter the dedication. their family, while the and Energy,

2010 Frocking Ceremony

Chief Utilitiesman Miguel Fernandez adjusts the
new cover of Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Arielle
Elrod during a frocking ceremony at the camp’s rec-
reational facility, 11 Degrees North, Dec. 1.
Elrod was one of nine Sailors who are part of the
Camp Lemonnier staff that were frocked during the
ceremony.
Frocking is an administrative authorization to as-
sume the title and wear the uniform of a higher
paygrade without entitlement to the pay and allow-
ances of that grade. (MCC Frank Montellano)

4
NMCB
74

5
You’ve Been Spotted!

6
 CMC’s
Corner
Hello Warriors,
Season’s greetings! The holidays
are here and I hope that you are ex-
periencing the joy and inspiration they
bring. I know that some of you are work-
ing through your first holiday season
away from friends and families. Sepa-
ration can make anyone feel anxious,
depressed or guilty. But, thankfully,
there are resources on Camp Lemon-
nier to help anyone through this time.
One of the many wonderful resources
on camp is the Family and Fleet Sup-
port Center (FFSC). The professionals
at the center are here to listen, talk and
offer guidance. They can help you find
ways to cope with the holiday season
when you are separated from your fam-
ily. Another great way to relieve holiday
stress is to participate in the activities
offered by the Morale, Recreation and
Welfare office (MWR).
Trips, clubs and local activities can
keep you involved and build profes-
sional relationships within the Camp
Lemonnier community, not only reliev-
ing stress in your personal life, but also
helping your career. Recently, Camp
Lemonnier’s American Community
Theatre put on a production of “A Dick-
ens’ Christmas Carol,” a classic holiday
story. With volunteers from various de-
partments, both military and civilian, the
play was a great example of volunteer-
ism at its finest. Many opportunities like
this are available to help you make the
most of your time at Camp Lemonnier.
Opportunities include spending time
volunteering at the infants’ orphanage,
the boys’ orphanage or the cheetah ref-
uge. These are all great ways to give
“gifts,” like your time or a smile, to oth-
ers this holiday season.
Even though we are far away from
loved ones, through today’s technology,
we can easily communicate during the
holidays through a simple phone call,
instant messaging or through video
communication like Skype or Oovoo.
One suggestion from our friends at
FFSC is to set aside a time specifically
with your family to celebrate the holi-
days. Plan ahead to ensure that friends
and family will be present for your call.
You can be a “virtual guest” at the holi-
day party, and offer your best wishes
for the holidays and the New Year to
friends and family.
And, speaking of family, don’t forget
to celebrate the holidays with your mili-
tary family. Decorate your workspace,
exchange gifts or even have your own
departmental celebration. Spread the
holiday cheer to your fellow service
members and our gracious host nation
neighbors.
Spending time with others is a great
way to celebrate the holidays, but an-
other form of spending can be trouble-
some. The temptation to compensate
for your absence by overspending on
gifts for loved ones can be a problem.
Matt Salas, the personal financial
manager at the FFSC says that the key
to a financially successful holiday sea-
son is planning. “Setting up a reserve
fund and allocating a portion of your
income will help prevent overspending
and paying interest on purchases well
into the new year. Setting limits, mak-
ing lists (and checking them twice), and
considering low-or no-cost alternatives
are additional ways to ensure a finan-
cially successful holiday season.”
Above all, be safe this holiday sea-
son. Do this both for yourself, and your
loved ones. Look out for one another
and remember that the ones you miss
will see you soon.
MWR
Left: Personnel from CLDJ
check out a lioness during a
MWR trip to Tanzania.
MWR is offering another trip to
Instanbul, Turkey, Feb. 15-20.
The trip includes a tround-trip
airplane ticket, 3-nights stay in
a centrally located 5-star hotel
(with breakfast), and entrance
to the Blue Mosque and Saint
Sophia Museum.
There are 35 slots avaliable
for the trip. Trip sign ups and
payments must be made at
the MWR Liberty Tour Office.
Contact Rahma Ahmed @
824-4689.