ORIGINAL JAVA (tm)

TRADEMARK

2006-10-25T22:00:00.000-04:00

RICK & PETE

2006-10-24T21:45:00.000-04:00

Rick & Pete proudly stand in front of the entrance door to the Original Java

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION PRESENTED TO DUSTOFF VOLUNTEERS BY COL. HAMPTON

2006-09-23T21:38:00.000-04:00

35 Area Support Group
Certificate of Appreciation

SSG Richard Simmons

For your dedication and professionalism while serving at LSA Anaconda in support of Operation Iraq Freedom. In addition to your courage displayed on every “Dustoff” mission, your selfless service toward high morale and enjoyable recreation is worthy of great recognition. Volunteering countless hours of your off duty time toward the construction and operation of the “Original Java” led to the establishment of one of the best areas of relaxation on LSA Anaconda. Your exhaustive efforts ensured that every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Civilian Contract Worker could seek relaxing camaraderie over a wide variety of cold and hot non-alcoholic beverages. This one selfless act reflects great credit upon you, the 57th Medical Company and LSA Anaconda.

1SG GLENN DOES SOME VOLUNTEER DUTY TIME

2006-09-03T21:27:00.000-04:00

THANK YOU, 1SG GLENN, FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF ORIGINAL JAVA AND WILLINGNESS TO SERVE UP SOME JOE TO THE DUSTOFF SOLDIERS AND LSA ANACONDA COMMUNITY!

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOUR FAVORITE BARTENDERS

2006-08-28T19:42:00.000-04:00

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

2006-08-28T19:40:00.000-04:00

“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

2006-08-28T19:32:00.000-04:00

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

2006-08-28T19:30:00.000-04:00

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?

2006-08-28T19:27:00.000-04:00

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

2006-08-27T20:23:00.000-04:00

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

2006-08-20T23:09:00.000-04:00

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

2006-08-13T21:10:00.000-04:00

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

2006-08-13T21:07:00.000-04:00

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

2006-08-01T22:15:00.000-04:00

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

MAKING NEW FRIENDS AND LASTING MEMORIES

2006-08-01T21:52:00.000-04:00

SOLDIERS OF THE ORIGINAL DUSTOFF GET ACQUAINTED WITH AIRMEN.

Air Force Fire Chief and Crew

2006-08-01T21:44:00.000-04:00

RECENTLY THE AIR FORCE FIRE CHIEF

AND NCOIC OF BALAD AIRBASE STOPPED

BY FOR A COOL SMOOTHIE.

DRINK OF CHOICE

2006-07-26T13:10:00.000-04:00

“THE ORIGINAL”
A GOURMET CUP OF JOE- favorite of CW2 Hendrix, pilot, coffee bartender

“THE DOUBLE EXPOSURE”
CAPPUCINO – War Photographer Jim Natcheway’s drink of choice while
covering the Original Dustoff for National Geographic

“60 MINUTES”
SINGLE, DOUBLE OR TRIPLE ESPRESSO – favorite of SSG Stephenson, interviewed by 60 Minutes and keeps you ticking for 60 min

“ZERO 6”
CHILLED COFFEE, CREAM, SUGAR SERVED ON THE ROCKS–favorite of MAJ Rose aka Dustoff 6

“DIRTY JOE”
CHILLED COFFEE, CHOCOLATE MILK, SUGAR SERVED ON THE ROCKS – favorite of SGT Dunbar, aka Dirty Joe
“CHAI”
SERVED HOT WITH STEAMED MILK , CHILLED WITH MILK, OR FROZEN WITH ICE AND MILK – mysterious spicy flavor

“COCO LOPEZ”
CREAM OF COCONUT MIXED WITH PINEAPPLE JUICE BLENDED WITH ICE– the virgin Pina Colada, this frozen concoction leaves you wishing you had 2, one for each hand

“CASF”
BANANA, STRAWBERRIES, MILK SERVED FROZEN AND TOPPED WITH RASPBERRY SYRUP – favorite of SGT Ramos, interviewed by San Antonio TV News during our nightly CASF run

“P.O.I.”
PINAPPLE AND GRAPE JUICE BLENDED WITH ICE, STAWBERRIES, BANANAS, TOPPED WITH RASPBERRY SYRUP – P.O.I is the acronym of “point of injury”, or otherwise called a “dustoff mission”

“SOUTH VIC”
CHILLED ESPRESSO, CHOCOLATE MILK, BLENDED WITH ICE AND TOPPED WITH CHOCOLATE SYRUP – favorite of CPT Huggins, named after a exciting flight to South Victory Pad in Baghdad

“COCOA CHILLER”
CHOCOLATE MILK, COCOA MIX, CHOCOLATE SYRUP. BLENDED WITH ICE. TOPPED WITH DARK AND WHITE CHOCOLATE SYRUPS
Truly a chocolate lover’s dream

“MORTARITA”
ON THE BOARDER MARGARITA MIX SERVED WITH SPRITE – Although this is the virgin sister to the real thing, its very thirst quenching and can be served on the rocks or blended

A PLACE TO ESCAPE

2006-07-04T00:10:00.000-04:00

A Place to Escape

You may wonder how a coffee shop in the middle of Iraq offers a place to escape to. I will tell you a way that I have experienced. I am sitting on the couch watching two fellow Soldiers play Xbox 360, drinking a coffee with raspberry syrup, and talking to some friends about where our next PCS move will be when my radio goes off, I'm 1st up, Chase, urgent mission. I quickly head out the door, leaving my conversation and coffee, and head to Operations to check on the mission, where we will be going, and what the injuries are. Point of Injury mission, out on the MSR near Balad, one urgent litter. The patient has shrapnel injuries to both lower extremities and to the abdomen. We head to the aircraft and are off the ground within 7 minutes of the initial radio call. Its pitch black outside and our aircraft is blacked out. We can see only with the aid of Night Vision Goggles. I make a call on the radio letting them know we are 2 minutes out, we can see a burning vehicle. Our aircraft comes around and we land in the middle of the road. I jump out and run towards the huddled Soldiers gathered around a litter. Burning flames light the night, in the for-front of my mind is the danger of a secondary IED or an ambush set up for the helicopter. Security is two HUMMWVs on either end of the road, stopping traffic, .50 caliber weapons at the ready. As I approach, I notice that the patient has bandages on his injuries and he is alert and oriented. The medic on the ground try's to yell the injuries to me, but the aircraft is so loud, it is difficult to hear. I quickly assess the patient and motion to the ground medic to grab onto the litter. We move the patient to the aircraft and are off the ground. Three minutes is my goal for time on the ground, and I just made it. On the 7 minute flight back to Balad and the Air Force Theater Hospital, I check the patient's vitals and make sure all life saving measures are holding. I make the call to the hospital, and we land and unload the patient. I follow them into the ER and give the doctor the information that I know. Then it's back to the helicopter and to the Original Dustoff Compound. Once the aircraft is shutdown and refueled, I fill out the needed paperwork, and go to the coffee shop to find my cold cup of coffee. As I sit I look at my watch, less than 45 mins have passed. I review the mission in my head as I sip my coffee, fast and furious, no room for mistakes, mission complete. I have found my place to escape.
I can only speak for myself, but I would not be surprised if others felt the same way. If our little coffee shop can provide some kind of sanity in an insane environment, then we have accomplished our goal. The acronym MWR stand for morale, welfare, and recreation and I think the Original Java fits it to the T.
Tomorrow is Independence Day in the United States. This Holiday is very special to all of us in the military, and we are celebrating it here in the Kelly Compound with a BBQ. A smile comes to my face as I think of the future of Iraq, will there be a National Holiday similar to ours, honoring the Democratic Independence of Iraq. Knowing that I had a small part in their freedom plays heavily in my heart. Serving beside my bothers and sisters in arms, I am humbled. Happy 4th, God Bless.

SSG Simmons

THE ORIGINAL DUSTOFF

2006-07-03T12:52:00.000-04:00