Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Bryant Maude | Left to right, Col. Douglas Sallee, a Junction City, Kan., native and the assistant...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Bryant Maude
1st Sustainment Brigade, Public Affairs Officer
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – "It's a small Army," says Col. Kevin O'Connell, a Clinton, Md., native and the commander of the 1st Sustainment Brigade, out of Fort Riley, Kan. This comment came moments after taking a picture with Col. Douglas Sallee, a Junction City, Kan., native, and the assistant chief of staff for operations with the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command.
"We met when I went for the initial planning conferences for deployment with the 316th ESC, in Coraopolis, Pa. Come to find out he was from Junction City," said O'Connell.
The two colonels made a very quick connection in Pennsylvania and have had a great working relationship ever since.
"We appreciate having someone we know and have a good relationship with at our higher headquarters," stated O'Connell.
"So far the visit has been real good," said Sallee. "We've already talked about some issues we needed to address."
Sallee's visit was part of some ongoing discussions with the 1st SB S-3.
"I wanted to look at some of the programs he has in place and also see what's available at Taji," said Sallee.
The commanders could not pass up the opportunity to pose in front of the giant Kansas State Wildcat painted on a wall outside of the brigade headquarters building.
"I am a K-State fan, I'm also a Kansas State graduate, I graduated in December of 1980 ... from their Air Force ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) program," said Sallee.
Sallee has been serving the citizens of Junction City, Kansas for 22 years as a teacher.
"I've taught math for the secondary level for 18 years at Junction High School ... I've also coached football, basketball, softball and track," said Sallee.
When asked about the K-State Wildcats overall chances in the upcoming basketball tournament, both of them smiled.
"Their basketball team has a good shot. They've beat Kansas and Texas, so I think they have a real good chance to go all the way in the Big 12, which is exciting," stated Sallee.
| Date Taken: | 03.10.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.11.2008 17:22 |
| Story ID: | 17264 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 241 |
| Downloads: | 187 |
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