Photo By Staff Sgt. Joshua E. Powell | U.S. Navy Cmdr. Christopher Fronk, the command chaplain of the USS George H W Bush...... read more read more
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UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, Southwest Asia – U.S. service members with Task Force Al Taqaddum (TFTQ) and Task Force Al Asad (TFAA) are currently deployed to Iraq with the mission of providing advise and assist (A&A) support to Iraqi Security Forces members. U.S. Marines and Sailors with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) are also deployed to U.S. Central Command area of responsibility (AOR), serving as a crisis response element, and providing support to the task forces.
Being deployed often means maintaining mission focus, long working hours, being away from family and friends, and missing holidays or special occasions. Many service members find peace and strength to get through difficult times by maintaining spiritual practices.
Service members count on their chaplains to provide them with spiritual and religious resources when deployed, as well as at home.
While ensuring adequate support was being provided to troops in the AOR, U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ron Kennedy, the chaplain for SPMAGTF-CR-CC, noticed there was a shortage of catholic priests supporting troops of that denomination at the task forces.
With Christmas 2015 around the corner, Kennedy requested support to have a priest travel to the AOR and hold Mass for catholic troops.
Meanwhile in Norfolk, Va., as his ship was undergoing maintenance, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Christopher Fronk, the command chaplain of the USS George H W Bush (CVN 77), and a catholic priest, wondered where he could be of use while the ship was in the yards.
“I think the important piece here is that two chaplains were asking the same question; how can we take care of our people?” said Fronk. “Two people who had never met before, in different parts of the world were asking that question… my ship is in the yards, so I knew I wasn’t going to be employed that well, so I asked if I could be used elsewhere.”
Kennedy’s request was approved by the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, thanks to the tireless support of Cmdr. Steve Mills, brigade chaplain. A few weeks later Fronk was on his way to the Middle East to meet with Kennedy and bring catholic troops in the AOR the opportunity to practice their faith.
Fronk visited Al Asad Air Base where he held Christmas Mass during his first trip, but due to adverse weather conditions; he didn’t make it to Al Taqaddum. However, on his second trip, Fronk held services for Easter in both locations.
“I was very thrilled to come over,” said Fronk. “I spent a lot of my time on the green side with Marines, I’ve deployed with them a couple of times, so I knew what it was like not having enough of a particular resource, in this case catholic priests to go around. I was happy to come over and help.”
Kennedy said that as the MAGTF chaplain it was important for him to ensure that the troops were able to exercise their free expression of faith during the holidays.
“In the Chaplain Corps we provide for our own, facilitate for other faith groups, advise our leadership and care for all...I knew there was a significant amount of catholic believers in Al Asad and Al Taqaddum,” said Kennedy. “I was going to make every effort to ensure they had catholic coverage for Easter, because our service members are serving in kinetic and austere environments in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Fronk said he enjoyed the opportunity to serve the troops in the Iraq.
“For me as a priest, it’s incredible to go somewhere where people say ‘thank you for making the trip out’ instead of just expecting it,” said Fronk. “[The troops] were happy they got to practice their faith on those particular holidays.”
Fronk also attributes the success of Easter and Christmas Masses in Al Asad and Al Taqaddum to Kennedy for caring and ensuring the troops received the proper support.
“Credit goes to Chaplain Kennedy for taking the initiative to do this, instead of just presuming that nobody was available,” said Fronk. “He asked the question and was able to take care of the religious need of the people that come under his pastoral leadership.”
| Date Taken: | 04.08.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.08.2016 13:16 |
| Story ID: | 194825 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Web Views: | 470 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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