Expeditionary prayer force serves Tallil AB

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Gerardo Gonzalez
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Caring for casualties, nurturing the living and honoring the dead are all goals of an organization here that strives daily to uplift morale and spirituality.

Within the walls of the chapel, a four-person staff stands ready to help those who seek religious growth -- or simply a sympathetic ear.

“We're here to be a way for people to recognize there is a higher purpose," said Chaplain (Capt.) Eugene Theisen, a Catholic priest with the 407th Air Expeditionary Group. “We're visible reminders that there is something out there bigger than what we are.”

Chaplains do not just do business in the chapel. They visit people in their respective work centers to see first-hand how troops are doing. Often a simple walk around the base could turn into more than a neighborly stroll as airmen flock to them with requests of all sorts, he said.

"I've had people ask, 'Father can you bless this cross?'" Theisen said.

Determined to be ready to bless just about anything that comes his way, Theisen grabbed a standard-issue web gear pouch and filled it with what he refers to as his “implements of holiness.” So in the pocket-sized green canvas pouch he carefully packed a vial of holy water for blessings, a stole for hearing confessions and holy oil for anointing the sick, hurt or injured.

“It's a Christian combat assault kit,” he joked.

Military chaplains do not promote one religion over another, said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Rodger Ericson, 407th AEG head chaplain.

“Our role is really to help with morale as well as religious rites and services,” he said.

The fact that each chaplain is from a specific denomination does not restrict the his or her ability to offer a full spectrum of religious services. In some cases, a lay leader can be appointed to represent other faiths, such as Judaism or Islam.

“Lay leaders can lead different denominations,” Ericson said. “They provide the service, and we provide the oversight and the facility.”

Tallil’s chapel recently underwent renovations and is expanding to accommodate a growing staff and congregation. The chapel added separate office space to allow more privacy for those seeking spiritual guidance or counseling.

"A lot of times, (it) is just venting," said Ericson about requests for counseling.

But people experiencing problems -- at all levels -- can always turn to the chaplains. Their unique organization and mission enables them to offer a service that cannot be matched by any other base agency.

“We're really the one place (people) can come and be guaranteed confidentiality, where they can come and speak about anything," Thiesen said. “It's a great program that we offer.”

With only two chaplains at Tallil, it is not always easy to keep a finger on the pulse of the base populace. So, they rely heavily on two enlisted assistants to be the “extra eyes and ears” they need.

Just like chaplains, chapel assistants make their way around the base.

“We also visit with the troops to make sure they're doing well," said Staff Sgt. John Virden, 407th AEG chaplain assistant.

The assistants indicate that their junior-enlisted status gives them a distinct advantage when relating to the younger airmen, Ericson said.

But the assistants also perform another function, a function the chaplains cannot do for themselves. They carry a weapon.

“During wartime, we become bodyguards for the chaplains because they're non-combatants," said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Mathe, 407th AEG chaplain assistant.

New to Iraq, the chapel staff said they look forward to a memorable experience at Tallil AB.

“To me, the Lord said ‘go there and I will lead you,’” Ericson said. “It's really an exciting place to be.”