Photo By Spc. Andrew Slovensky | Jim E. Mora, former head coach of the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts, and...... read more read more
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BASRA, Iraq – When Jim E. Mora picked up the phone and made a call to the National Football League earlier this year his plan was to make it on the next trip to the Middle East.
“In January, I called the NFL and asked if they had any tours going to Iraq or Afghanistan,” said Mora. “I’ve always had an interest in it.”
The NFL and United Services Organization have been sending professional and retired football coaches to the Persian Gulf since 2009 as part of the USO Coaches Tour.
Service members with U.S. Division-South had the opportunity to meet these coaches on Contingency Operating Base Basra, July 4.
Even though he hadn’t coached in more than ten years, Mora said he was excited about the USO Coaches Tour, and wished he had the opportunity before retiring.
Mora, former head coach of the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts, joined Gary Kubiak, head coach of the Houston Texans; Ken Whisenhunt, head coach of the Arizona Cardinals; and Mora’s son, Jim L. Mora, former head coach of the Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons, on a trip to U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Iraq.
Whisenhunt said he couldn’t make the trip in 2010 due to scheduling conflicts, but felt determined to make it this year.
“My father and brother both served,” said Whisenhunt. “When I was asked to come again this year, it was an easy decision.”
The group had a rocky start with schedule changes and delayed flights before they could make it into Kuwait, July 2.
After spending the day visiting service members in Kuwait, they flew into Tikrit, Iraq, by C-130. The next day they traveled by Blackhawk into Baghdad and toured Al-Faw Palace. The coaches arrived at COB Basra on July 4 and met with Command Sgt. Maj. Wilson L. Early, 36th Infantry Division, before flying to Umm Qasr and visiting troops stationed there.
After enjoying an Independence Day barbecue at Umm Qasr, the coaches made their way back to COB Basra and had a meet-and-greet with more than 50 service members and civilians of USD-S, which included a one-on-four discussion and autograph session for each person in line.
One hour, several permanent markers, and more than a few questions about the NFL lockout debate later, the last of the crowd had dissipated and the coaches could prepare for their trip home the next day.
Kubiak said that if they left with anything, it would be an enlightened experience of the work being done by service members in theater.
“It’s really an education,” said Whisenhunt. “You can’t come away anything but impressed. We appreciate people coming together to accomplish a common goal.”
Amidst the jabs at each other or the favorite teams of present troops, the coaches seemed to be more honored to make the visit than the fans they were visiting.
“When given the opportunity, I couldn’t wait to come,” said Kubiak. “I hope to do it again one day.”
| Date Taken: | 07.04.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.06.2011 11:20 |
| Story ID: | 73284 |
| Location: | BASRA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 121 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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