Mugging the camera during the Tournament of Roses Parade are, from left, Dan Weidmann, president of Weidmann Remodeling-Renovation; Jennie Marshall; and Capt. Kris Marshall, an Army National Guardsman deployed to Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Dan Weidmann
Greg Lee, senior vice president of human resources for Sears and Roebuck, signs a statement of support for the Guard and Reserve following the parade. Photo courtesy of Dan Weidmann
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airman Michael Holder stands guard as a herd of camels cross the road during a convoy Dec. 29. Animals can carry improvised explosive devices, and security forces airmen must treat them as hazards. Airman Holder is assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Tallil Air Base, Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. C.E. Lewis)
Air Force convoys end in Iraq
by Staff Sgt. Chris Stagner
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
1/5/2004 - TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- With the closure of the Tallil Tavern Dining Facility, the dangerous 150-mile convoy trip from here to Kuwait has ended for the Air Force convoy team.
“Most of the convoys were for food supplies,” said Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron superintendent. “With the closure of the dining hall there is no longer a need for them.”
The 332nd ESFS convoy fire team made more than 50 trips during the current rotation, transporting about 5,000 tons of supplies valued at more than $2 million, Chief Dearduff said.
Hazards for convoys ranged beyond the dangers of enemy attacks, said Tech. Sgt. Judson Lamoree, 332nd ESFS convoy commander.
“The [local] drivers are very unpredictable,” Sergeant Lamoree said. “It gets really crazy sometimes.”