Soldiers celebrate Spring Break at FOB Sharana

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers participate in the pie eating contest during "Spring Break 2008" festival at Forward Operating Base Sharana.  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, AFGHANISTAN

04.10.2008

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

By Army Cpt. Kenya V. Saenz
Task Force Pacemaker Public Affairs Office

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan- Soldiers from Task Force Pacemaker, out of Fort Lewis, Wash., celebrated spring with an organizational day, "Spring Break 2008!" Soldiers were relaxed, enjoyed live music and food, and participated in a pie-eating contest.

Soldiers at Spring Break enjoyed live music from the 101st band, "Out of Uniform". They performed for the first time at FOB Sharana on Apr. 10. The band, led by Army Staff Sgt. Carlos Llanes from Miami Florida, played everything from Rock and Hip-Hop, to Country and Latin.

"Our mission changes when we are deployed; instead of the Army Band doing ceremonies and historic events, we are here to support our troops and bring 'home' to them. I was surprised how the chains of command had fun with the Soldiers and, for one moment, forget that we were in Afghanistan. This was a great opportunity to support our deployed Soldiers," said Llanes.

"I enjoyed putting on the show and having the crowd respond. It is a nice way to support troops," said Army Spc. Jessica Krzmarzick, the lead female vocalist of the "Out of Uniform".

"Affording the Soldiers of Task Force Pacemaker and other members of FOB Sharana a little down time at the 14th month in their deployment was a great morale booster. These Soldiers have worked extremely hard constructing new facilities for Soldiers throughout RC-East and deserved to let their hair down and have some fun," said Army Maj. James Delapp, the Task Force Pacemaker executive officer.

Besides live music provided by the band, Task Force Pacemaker Soldiers also enjoyed great food, participated in a pie eating contest, played flag football, soccer, and launched softballs at a dunk booth where Soldiers had a chance to dunk their chain of command in cold water. Soldiers also enjoyed riding and taking pictures with a camel throughout the day.

Task Force Pacemaker provides general engineering services, assured mobility, and survivability operations to coalition forces in support of ISAF and Afghanistan. The Task Force is getting ready to transition the mission to 62nd Engineer Battalion form Fort Hood, Texas, as they get ready to re-deploy to Fort Lewis, Wash.

• Date Taken: 04.10.2008
• Date Posted: 04.22.2008 15:03
• Story ID: 18649
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, AF