Together we can

BAGHDAD -- Airmen wait for their plane to arrive next to the new flightline mural on Sather Air Base Feb. 19. The mural was the idea of Brig. Gen. Anthony Rock, the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing commander and Iraq Training and Advisory Mission – Air director, to improve the aesthetics of the area and promote teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)

Together we can

BAGHDAD -- Members of Iraq Training and Advisory Mission - Air set up a projector to help outline words on concrete barriers on Sather Air Base Jan. 24. Once the outlining was completed, they painted a mural to improve the aesthetics of the area and promote teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)

Together we can

BAGHDAD - Tech. Sgt. Sergeant Lewis Isassi, 321st Expeditionary Mission Support Advisory Group advisor, paints a concrete barrier on the flightline at Sather Air Base Jan. 24. The mural improved the aesthetics of the area and promotes teamwork. Sergeant Isassi is originally from Kingsville, Texas, and is currently deployed from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)

Together we can

BAGHDAD -- A new flightline mural welcomes Iraqi and U.S. Airmen to Sather Air Base. The artwork was the idea of Brig. Gen. Anthony Rock, the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing commander and Iraq Training and Advisory Mission – Air director, to improve the aesthetics of the area and promote teamwork. (Courtesy photo)

Together we can

Published Feb. 21, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Randy Redman
321st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGHDAD -- Airmen from the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing finished a new mural on the flightline at Sather Air Base Feb. 18. The ordinary concrete barriers received a facelift courtesy of three Airmen currently deployed in support of Operation New Dawn.

Senior Master Sgt. Jerry Thorton, Tech. Sgt. Amy Everhard and Tech. Sgt. Lewis Isassi painted the U.S. Air Force and 321st AEW mottos on the barricades in the parking ramp area directly in front of the building affectionately known as the Glass House.

The mural features bold, blue letters stating, "Aim High--Fly, Fight, Win" to the left of the Sather AB sign, which was already in place. To the right are the words, "Together We Can" and "Naqdar Sawihitan," which is the Arabic translation.

The mural was the brainchild of Brig. Gen. Anthony Rock, 321st AEW commander and Iraq Training and Advisory Mission - Air director. He said the intent in instituting this motto was to make it resonate with U.S. Airmen and Iraqis.

"Together as an expeditionary wing and ITAM-Air team we can fly, fight and win. Together as a joint team at Sather with U.S. Forces-Iraq teams around the country, we can achieve the unimaginable - like standing up a professional Iraqi Air Force and Army Aviation Command, as well as other professional institutions to help secure Iraq's democratic future," said General Rock.

"Together with our Iraqi partners, we can achieve the other part of our wing motto: 'Tomorrow will be better than today.' The very succinct words have a much deeper meaning and are important on multiple levels."

Sergeant Lewis Isassi, 321st Expeditionary Mission Support Advisory Group advisor, is currently deployed from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. He was the catalyst that set this project in motion and said the weather was the biggest issue the small team faced.

"It took two nights to go out and trace all the lettering, but with some of the rain that we had, it took several weeks to paint," said Sergeant Isassi, a Kingsville, Texas, native.

In total, about 24 hours of work went into making the project a reality. However, Sergeant Thornton, 321st AEW first sergeant, has high hopes the impact of the mural will last exponentially longer.

"I hope when it's all said and done, the remaining Airmen here on Sather will be inspired by the words. Our leadership that flies in and out of the [base] will see it and know that we, ITAM-Air and the 321st AEW, are committed to upholding all that is true. Our commitment, not only to... the United States Air Force but also a commitment to the partnership we have with our brothers in the Iraqi air force," Sergeant Thornton, a Center Hill, Fla., native said.

"It would be nice to return in 10 or 15 years and see the Iraqi air force motto in place of our motto. Something they can take pride in and something that gives them a sense of purpose."