Pine Grove Soldier Protects the Force in Iraq

CAMP ADDER, IRAQ

07.10.2009

Courtesy Photo

28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade

Spc. Anthony Blain, a resident of Pine Grove, Pa., sits in the driver's seat of a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle, or MRAP, at Camp Adder, Iraq. Blain, a force protection specialist in the 628th Aviation Support Battalion, was picked for the job because his instructor, Spc. Christopher Leonard, found him to be "smart, reliable, observant... a quick learner who is able to handle virtually any situation that comes up." The job is not to be taken lightly according to the brigade's force protection advisor, Master Sgt. David Engel. It can be a dangerous position at times and always carries the heavy weight of responsibility. Among other duties, the soldiers conduct routine inspections in and around the base. Blain joined the Pennsylvania National Guard looking for a career to give him a sense of accomplishment. He initially trained as a truck driver, but took a position a range inspector at Fort Indiantown Gap in 2008. Following the deployment, he wants to work toward becoming a corrections officer, an occupation that at least five of his fellow soldiers and officers coincidentally hold as civilians. Until then, Blain has lighter plans in mind. When he takes his two weeks of leave, he plans to take his wife Jennifer, his six-year old stepdaughter Rachelle, and their nine-month old daughter Haylee to Hershey Park, near their Pine Grove home.

• Date Taken: 07.10.2009
• Date Posted: 07.21.2009 10:18
• Photo ID: 189152
• VIRIN: 090710-A-3047W-002
• Resolution: 3872x2592
• Size: 1.12 MB
• Location: CAMP ADDER, IQ