An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

“Strike First” Battalion Unit Ministry Team Opens Resilience Center

  • Published
  • By Capt. Timothy Baranoski
  • 1st Bn. 44th Air Defense Artillery Regt.
AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR - --  During a long deployment, small comforts can help ease homesickness and boost morale. The 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment chapel, decided to create a resilience center to provide comforts and help the Soldiers of the "Strike First" Battalion through their current deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

With help from kind-hearted citizens from across the United States the resilience center, under the direction of Pfc. Derrick White, chaplain assistant, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Bn. 44th ADA, has grown beyond the original intent.

The command team from the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade and the 1st Bn. 44th ADA Regiment along with the unit ministry team opened the "CSM James D. Blankenbecler Resilience Center" with a ribbon cutting ceremony Dec. 21, 2013, marking the beginning of a great new facility and program for Soldiers.

The resilience center has a full stock of basic hygiene items for Soldiers, and there are a variety of snacks and goods along with occasional homemade cookies from different family members donated from across the U.S. While hygiene items and snacks are enough to boost morale, the resilience center also offers a library of DVDs and books for Soldiers to enjoy in their down-time.
Perhaps the greatest feature of the resilience center is the "Reading Corner." Soldiers have the opportunity to record themselves reading a book to their children and families and send a DVD along with a copy of the book back to their families.

The resiliency center was dedicated to Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Blankenbecler. Blankenbecler, who was assigned to 1stBattalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment in 2003, was deployed to Iraq. He was in a convoy that was hit by an improvised explosive device and rocket propelled grenade. Blankenbecler died of his injuries Oct. 1, 2003. Blankenbecler demonstrated the Army Values in service to his Soldiers and country by putting his Soldiers and their welfare above his own, giving his life for the freedom of others.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Blankenbecler was a good man who cared about his Soldiers, this is a great legacy to his name," reflected Command Sgt. Maj. Gerardo Dominguez 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade Command Sergeant Major.