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Sports brings nations together

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Darrell Habisch
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
Ali Base, Iraq --  "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Unknown

A small group of U.S. servicemembers and Iraqi's, believing they have the power to change the world, played a few games of volleyball Dec. 16 at Ali Base, Iraq. And though no one felt a shift in the time-space continuum, everyone felt a tiny shift in their perception of each other.

"We're here to build trust and rapport," explained Lt. Col. Steven Ramsay, Senior Advisor, Tallil Logistics Military Advisory Team. "And this is a great way to do it."

Nine Logistics Military Advisory Teams (LMAT) are operating throughout Iraq with the goal of assisting Iraqi commanders and soldiers to support their country's transition to democracy.

Volleyball became a part of Lt. Col. Ramsay's mandatory physical training requirement for his team.

"I'm a firm believer in PT," he said. "Volleyball is a great team building tool, so we thought we could use sports to help build trust with our Iraqi friends."

The Iraqi team, from Camp Ur, ranged from a lieutenant colonel to gate guards, and everyone played to win.

"They're pretty competitive," commented 1st Lt. Barbara Seabert, an LMAT member and an emergency room nurse deployed from the 3rd Medical Company, Virginia Army National Guard, Ft. Pickett, VA. "We're not here just for fun. You play your best and you play to win."

The opposing teams squared off against each other. What started as a match between two groups of people sizing each other up quickly turned into a game of friendly competition. After a few missed spikes and face-plants in the sand by both teams, the competitors relaxed and realized that everyone is human and it's okay to laugh and have a good time. Both teams played to win; however, the Iraqis won the first two games out of three.

"We're ready to bring out the A team now," joked colonel Ramsay. More games ensued with lots of yelling, coaching and laughing between teammates and teams. An interpreter occasionally translated quips and barbs.

"They played a lot better than we thought," said Technical Sgt. Parrish Shaw, Medical Logistics Advisor, deployed from Randolph AFB, Texas.

"I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world," he continued. "They are the nicest folks you'll ever meet."

After competing against each other, the teams were intermixed with Iraqi soldiers and American airmen and soldiers working together to win.

The Iraqi colonel in charge stated that he was "Happy to accept the invitation. This is a fun day that we want to remember. It is good to share this bond of coalition.

"I am looking forward to next month's competition," he continued. "Except next month, I must bring my officers. They need to experience this joyful day."