HERE'S LOOKING AT YOUR FAVORITE BARTENDERS

PICTURED ABOVE ARE SOME OF THE REGULAR VOLUNTEER BARTENDERS READY TO SERVE YOU A GOURMET CUP OF JOE , REFRESHING "P.O.I." OR ONE OF THE MANY OTHER DRINKS OF CHOICE.

LEFT TO RIGHT: CPT HUGGINS, SPC GAINEY, CW2 HENDRIX, CPT CHAPPELL, CW2 THORNTON, SSG SIMMONS, CW3 WILLIAMS (NOT PICTURED CW2 MOORE, CW4 SMITH)

OASIS IN THE DESERT

“Oasis in the Desert”

If you’re looking for a little sanity in the middle of a war, what you need is an oasis in the desert. SSG Simmons, of the 57th Medical Company (Air Ambulance), LSA Anaconda, Iraq, provides just that with Original Java. His brain child consists of a trailer with a handmade serving bar, a reading area, a TV/gathering area, dozens of volunteers who man the serving bar 17 of 24 hours a day, and most importantly an ambiance that allows people to come in, relax to some good music and take a break from the tragedies they see every day. Original Java makes coffee drinks and smoothies in an environment that doesn’t even have running water and operates on donations and volunteer time alone. Between SSG Simmons’ daily flights as aero evacuation medic where he witnesses the worst that man can do to each other, he oversees Original Java with the care and love of a father. In fact, many people see him in just that light. He is a listening and caring man; anyone can pony up to the bar and be sure he is there to listen to their daily woes. I often see him come in after a flight and I ask him how the day is going, he answers that “today was a bloody one,” but later he comes back after a shower and says “it’s going to be better because the customers in Original Java always make me smile.” Not only does SSG Simmons provide great coffee with a homelike atmosphere, he takes care of our Soldiers and Airmen before and after they do their service for God and country, he is a true hero.

MAJ Deidra Siddall
332nd AEW/CCE
LSA Anaconda, Iraq

ORIGINAL JAVA LIGHTS UP

ORIGINAL JAVA SIGN LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT SKY. A BIG " THANK YOU " GOES OUT TO MR. MARKGRAFF (CW3) FOR HIS CRAFTSMANSHIP WORK ON CREATING THE SIGN AND PUTTING THE JAVA IN THE LIMELIGHT

DUSTOFF SOLDIERS

Dustoff Soldiers playing a competitive game of poker while others take time out from the extreme heat enjoying their refreshing " P.O.I. " & " CASF " smoothies.

DARTS ANYONE?

ORIGINAL DUSTOFF SOLDIERS CHALLENGING ONE ANOTHER TO A GAME OF DARTS. PLAYING DARTS IS ONE OF THE WAYS SOLDIERS ENJOY PASSING TIME WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

TEXAS HOLD 'EM

THE COMPETITION AT THE ORIGINAL JAVA IS HIGH AND TOUGH. THE DUSTOFF HAVE SOME PRETTY GOOD POKER FACE PLAYERS ALWAYS READY FOR A GAME.

MORTARITAVILLE OASIS

Mortaritaville Oasis
By Master Sergeant Jeffrey Phipps

Deployed life on Logistics Support Activity (LSA) Anaconda/Balad Air Base is an ongoing effort to maintain a high operations tempo dictated by the critical missions while maintaining some modicum of sanity and relaxation. The Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) units for the Army and Air Force offer many activities and services to help with this endeavor.

Quietly tucked away in the corner of the flightline, smack in the interface between the LSA and airfield, sits a caffeine-charged desert oasis called Original Java. This break from the stresses and strains of life in the combat zone is operated by the men and women of the 57th Air Ambulance Company, the Original Dustoff. The brainchild of the flight crews services a small clientele with coffee, frozen drinks, and a (relatively) peaceful setting where warriors can sit and unwind after a hard day.

“The best part about this place is the fact that people come here and get so much enjoyment out of a simple atmosphere. That warms us as much as anything we do.” remarks Staff Sergeant Richard Simmons, a MedEvac Flight Medic and one of the driving forces behind the coffee shop. “That we can bring a smile to the faces of these Soldiers, Airmen and Civilian Contractors with a simple drink and maybe a cigar is amazing.”

Smiles abound. “I didn’t know there was anything like this here until one of the firemen brought me here. Now I try to get here as often as possible.” says Technical Sergeant Donna Casas of the 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron at Balad AB. She is but one of the ‘customers’ that frequent the shop near MedEvac Flight Ops. SSG continues “We run entirely off of donations."

With the grim reminder of what man is capable of doing to other men looming ever so close by, Original Java provides a welcome spot to unwind, tell stories and compare notes about the families at home. Lifelong friendships are forged in this alcove slightly removed from the war. SSG Simmons sums it this way: “We are called upon to pick up the broken pieces from the results of the insurgency. By having this place available to ‘get away’ we are serving a greater cause.”

Living under the moniker ‘Mortaritaville’, LSA Anaconda/Balad AB has its’ fair share of drama. Original Java is an oasis, a desert hideaway with the right stuff to make the hard days seem like a mirage…if only for a little while.

AN OLD FRIEND STOPS BY TO SAY HELLO

An old friend and former Unit member of "The Original Dustoff" CPT Moyer stopped by for a visit. CPT Moyer served with the Dustoff during OIF I - II. Pictured above left to right is SSG Vasquez, CW2 Moore, CPT Moyer, CPT Richardson, CW2 Thornton, CPT Chappell. The Original Java once again proves itself as a place for all to reunite and enjoy eachother's company over a good cup of joe.

THE GENERAL AND COLONELS PAY A VISIT

GENERAL HOLSTEAD ALONG WITH A COUPLE OF COLONELS STOP BY FOR A FROZEN SMOOTHIE. PICTURED ABOVE STANDING WITH RICK AND PETE PROUDLY WEARING PATCHES FROM ORIGINAL DUSTOFF'S ''C TEAM". (WHICH HAPPENS TO BE THE BEST SELLING DUSTOFF PATCH OF THE UNIT) THE LADIES ALSO MADE SURE THEY BECAME PROUD OWNER'S OF A " ORIGINAL JAVA (tm) " T-SHIRT. A BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO GENERAL HOLSTEAD AND YOUR CREW FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

TAKING TIME OUT IN THE JAVA

SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN TAKING TIME OUT FROM THE MISSION AND HEAT OF IRAQ

MAKING NEW FRIENDS AND LASTING MEMORIES

SOLDIERS OF THE ORIGINAL DUSTOFF GET ACQUAINTED WITH AIRMEN.

Air Force Fire Chief and Crew

RECENTLY THE AIR FORCE FIRE CHIEF

AND NCOIC OF BALAD AIRBASE STOPPED

BY FOR A COOL SMOOTHIE.