Ministry Support Team visits troops in Tanzania

Photo By Master Sgt. Jennifer Redente | Navy Chief Petty Officer Wayne M. George, left, a religious programs specialist, piles on some traditional Thanksgiving foods onto Army Spc. Michael R. Johnston's plate at the house of a service member assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania who invited more than 20 people to his house to celebrate the holiday. George, a Bloomfield, N.M., native, is the Chaplains Department senior enlisted leader assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. Johnston, a Tulsa, Okla., native, is a civil affairs specialist assigned to Civil Affairs Team 11 of C Company, 486th Civil Affairs Battalion.  

11.27.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente 

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa

By Air Force Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania - A Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Ministry Support Team traveled to Tanzania to support the Civil Affairs Team 11, C Company, 486th Civil Affairs Battalion, Nov. 19-23.

Air Force Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Lawrence F. Keith, CJTF-HOA Religious Affairs deputy director, and Chaplains Department Senior Enlisted Leader Navy Chief Religious Programs Specialist Wayne M. George flew from Djibouti to support and provide religious and personal guidance to service members downrange in Tanzania.

"The purpose is to give the troops downrange a person they can talk to in complete confidence and gain some relief through communication and solutions," said George. "We are there to tend to their needs."

The goal of the Ministry Support Team was to talk with deployed service members, in complete confidence, in order to discuss their work environment and possibly render assistance and piece of mind, so service members have a more focused mindset.

"The troops downrange are isolated from their parent command," said George. "That means they deal with issues like loneliness and depression. They are not only away from their families, but they are working in small teams. This situation can be really rough for some service members to cope with, and if they are younger, it's even more critical we get out to them to show our presence and support."

While in Tanzania, the Ministry Support Team experienced some of what the civil affairs team is responsible for.

"It gave me a great sense of fulfillment to be involved in the good work our civil affairs team is accomplishing in the Tanga District and surrounding areas," said Keith. "The medical supplies we were able to share with the two hospitals we visited will go a long way in helping care for the medical needs of a community with few medical resources. Clearly, we are making a difference here."

Thanksgiving Day, the civil affairs and ministry support teams drove from the Tanga District to a home in Dar es Salaam belonging to the Country Coordination Element team and the J-34 engineer who support CJTF-HOA operations in Tanzania. There the teams enjoyed a holiday meal with more than 20 people from a variety of organizations including the State Department, United States Agency for International Development, Peace Corps and other members of CJTF-HOA.

"The chaplain's visit was fantastic," said Navy Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handler Shane D. Peterson, Embassy Country Coordination Element senior non-commissioned officer in charge. "It's great to see our HOA brothers and sisters in Tanzania."

Members of the civil affairs team were appreciative of the Ministry Support Team's visit.

"I think Chaplain Keith helped remind the team that even though we are away from our families, there are still many things to be thankful for," said Army Spc. Michael R. Johnston, a civil affairs specialist assigned to Civil Affairs Team 11 of C Company, 486th Civil Affairs Battalion.

Being able to visit and connect with the service members in Tanzania gave the chaplain a sense of a job well done.

"I left feeling that I had accomplished a bit of 'good work' by being available to improve the lives of some of God's children," said Keith.

• Date Taken: 11.27.2007
• Date Posted: 12.01.2007 05:10
• Story ID: 14331