4th Inf. Div.'s CAB ministry team supports mission, Soldiers

By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt

CAB PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Serving in today's Army can be rough on the body, mind and soul, but there is always someone there to help.

For bumps and bruises, there is a medic to patch you up; if you need to blow off steam, there is an array of after hour events to help you forget about work; and if you need to strengthen your soul, there are chaplains.

"We provide for the religious needs of Soldiers, which helps them cope with the stress of combat and the deployment," said Chaplain (Maj.) Allen Staley, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad. "We provide a listening ear for the Soldiers and seek to inspire them to a higher purpose for what they are doing."

Chaplain (Maj.) Allen Staley, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, talks with Soldiers from the brigade about suicide prevention at the Tigris River Chapel on Camp Taji Sept. 4.

Currently, more than 2,700 Soldiers of the Fort Hood, Texas, based CAB are deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. With full spectrum aviation operations in full swing 24/7, supporting Soldiers on the ground throughout Iraq can mean a lot of long days and nights for the aviators who are in the midst of a 15-month deployment.

In addition, many Soldiers serving here are on their second, third and even fourth deployment. Throw in problems at home, kids starting school and keeping long distance relationships, many Soldiers have a lot to deal with on a daily basis.

"We share in the challenges Soldiers face every day, and we let them know they are not alone," Staley said. "We try to remind them of God's presence and support no matter where they are and connect them to resources that will help them deal with their problems."

Chaplain (Capt.) Timothy Gresham (left), Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, congratulates Pfc. Ryan Bruin, an Apache helicopter mechanic with Company D, 1st Bn., 4th Avn. Regt., after being baptized at the Tigris River Chapel on Camp Taji Aug. 31.

Chaplains provide counseling for hundreds of Soldiers per month on issues such as stress, marital and Family issues, work place issues, spiritual issues, grief and suicide prevention. They also provide religious services several times a week for Soldiers both at the chapel and on the flightline where most CAB Soldiers work.

"The chaplain is easy to talk to, and he is someone who I can vent to whenever I feel like it," said Pfc. Ryan Bruin, Apache helicopter mechanic, Company D, 1st Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, CAB, from Lansing, Mich., who smiles as he works on an attack helicopter in the middle of the day where temperatures are soaring to more than 120 degrees.

"He talks to me as a person. He really cares, and I appreciate it," he said. "I knew I needed something and he gave me answers. Out here, I really need something to hold on to."

A large part of what chaplains do is battlefield circulation. Everywhere you find a Soldier working, whether it is rescuing the sick or wounded on a medical evacuation flight, turning wrenches on the flightline, or updating military records - a chaplain can be found not very far away.

Chaplain (Maj.) Allen Staley, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, leads a prayer before three Soldiers from the CAB were baptized just outside the Tigris River Chapel on Camp Taji Aug. 31.

"I see the chaplain a lot as he walks from office to office checking on Soldiers and asking how they are doing," said Staff Sgt. John West, brigade career counselor, HHC, CAB, from Pittsburgh. "He makes a great impact on Soldiers lives as they conduct their day to day operations. He makes sure no one is forgotten.

"I think he wants everyone to know he is always there for them, their Families and their friends. He is an invaluable asset to the Soldiers and Families of this brigade," he said.