MND-B anglers vie for bragging rights

By Pfc. Samantha Schutz
Multi-National Division-Baghdad Public Affairs Office

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – On a warm, sunny day in February, more than 300 service members and civilians from across the Multi-National Division – Baghdad area of operations gathered here to enjoy a day filled with one of the world's favorite pastimes – fishing.

The idea of Operation: Catch Fish was brought to fruition by the joint efforts of two pro-fishermen from Florida and senior leaders from the military's Central Command, Joint Inter-Agency Coordination Group; Multi-National Corps – Iraq; and the Armed Forces Entertainment group.

The competitors cast their first lines mid-morning and continued on late into the afternoon, Feb. 9, at the local fishermen's paradise: Z Lake.

The idea for the tournament was born in September when Air Force Maj. Steven Mathews, a native of Los Fresnos, Texas, who serves as an action officer with CENTCOM, JIACG, introduced himself to a new boss. Mathews mentioned fishing as one of his hobbies, and his boss introduced him to Joe Mercurio, who hosts the Florida-based "Professional Tarpon Tournament Series" television show.

"Joe is a good American who supports his troops," said Mathews, "You know, I want to go fishing with those guys, and I thought it would be a good thing to do."

Mathews, with help from Mercurio and other troops in his unit, began ramping up for the project just after Christmas. He coordinated with MNC-I and AFE to set up the schedule, which brought forth Operation: Catch Fish to more than 20 locations in Iraq and Kuwait throughout a 10-day period.

Mercurio and his co-host, Kristen Berset, along with another Floridian pro-fisherman, Eric Mannino, coordinated with various sponsors to acquire nearly 12,000 pounds and $20,000 worth of donated equipment, prizes and giveaways.

Everyone competing in the tournament, whether they pre-registered or showed up just before the event, had the option of either using their own equipment or fishing with brand-new, sponsor-donated rods and lures. After the competition, the donations were passed on to the Camp Liberty Morale, Welfare and Recreation center.

Spc. Adam Hartley, a native of Big Point, Miss., who serves as a gunner on a personal security team with Company D, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B, chose to use a new rod in honor of his first time fishing since Hurricane Katrina.

"I used to fish out my bedroom window," said Hartley, adding that he once lived in a houseboat.

Before Hartley was displaced by a hurricane, he and his Family participated in many small fishing competitions, he explained. In fact, the Family even claimed 5th place honors in a semi-professional bass fishing tournament in Louisiana.

Grabbing top honors for the day was Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Carter, a native of Smith, Ala., who serves as a maintenance officer with the Iraq Assistance Group, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, who hooked a 14-pound carp.

"It's a great feeling," said Carter, who has competed in small tournaments in the United States. "I can't win one back home, but now I can say I came to Iraq and won a fishing tournament."

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help create fond fishing memories for deployed troops is what Berset said drew him to the idea of being part of Operation: Catch Fish.

"The most interesting thing is being able to talk to the troops," Berset said. "Of course, I get to hear all their stories about going out and securing these neighborhoods – but mostly what I hear is fishing stories. It seems like everyone has a fishing story."

Mercurio, Berset and Mannino not only plan to use footage from the tour to produce episodes for their television shows in Florida and on ESPN2, but they also want to put together a documentary to tell the troops' stories.

"This has been an unbelievable experience for the three of us. We want to thank you all for your sacrifices for us, our country and our freedom," said Mannino.

The organizers said they hope to make Operation: Catch Fish an annual event, and the MWR center plans to add smaller-scale fishing tournaments to its monthly program schedule in the near future.