Spc. William Jones
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
TIKRIT, Iraq (Feb. 26, 2006) - Some Soldiers in the 101st Airborne Division are passing the time during their deployment by doing something they enjoyed doing as kids " building plastic models.
The Tikrit chapter of the International Plastic Models Society, the brainchild of Maj. Wellington "Duke" Samouce, 101st Airborne Division Aviation, has fifty members and that number is growing.
Samouce is a longtime model manufacturer himself.
"It is something that totally immerses you in to the activity. This is a great escape from being in Iraq and from what we are doing," said Samouce.
The club meets once a week at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center on Continuing Operating Base Speicher in northern Iraq. Service members can come in and choose from dozens of donated models. Supplies are available as well as space to put them together.
Model cars are the most popular kits available with jets and tanks bringing up the rear, according to Samouce. He says that surprises him a little.
"Most people are drawn to the muscle cars from the sixties and seventies," said Samouce.
Soldiers and Airmen stationed in northern Iraq have many choices on how to spend their free time. Model making is now one choice.