DVIDS – News – Faith in the Fight: 101st CAB Chaplains Strengthen Soldier Resilience Through Spiritual Support

ERBIL AIR BASE, Iraq – Spiritual celebrations strengthen the non secular development of Troopers within the one hundred and first Fight Aviation Brigade, one hundred and first Airborne Division (Air Assault), as they assist ongoing operations within the Center East. Religious assist from the one hundred and first CAB and associate chaplains play a key function in sustaining troop resilience, whereas additionally permitting Troopers to follow their religion and uphold private convictions.

“Spiritual assist is a fight multiplier,” mentioned Maj. Michael Dawson, pastor and chaplain for the one hundred and first Fight Aviation Brigade. “The Military has acknowledged the significance of non secular connection to our resiliency and lethality, and have embraced it. We perceive {that a} Soldier is just not going to be at their finest in the event that they’re not in a position to train

their faith.”

On a chilly morning in March, a small group of Troopers and civilians, observe Imam Mohammed Ekililu, into the little picket chapel for a meal at Logistical Assist Space (LSA) Hazard on Erbil Air Base, Iraq. This jovial group gathers to rejoice Eid al-Fitr, an Islamic Vacation that marks the tip of the dawn-to-sunset fasting throughout the month-long celebration of Ramadan. Capt. Ekililu, the 2nd Squadron seventeenth Air Cavalry Regiment chaplain, claims the expertise provided a strong morale enhance and belonging.

“When Troopers see that they’ve a spot of worship and somebody that understands them spiritually, they gentle up,” mentioned Ekililu. “Typically they’re nonetheless studying and once they can come to a spot and there’s somebody to guide the prayers, they’re completely satisfied. They discover peace in training their faith.”

Later that day, the identical chapel is inhabited by Christians who collect, 4 days after the Catholic Feast of the Annunciation, to fill the sanctuary and worship within the time main as much as Easter. The Catholic Feast of the Annunciation commemorates the Virgin Mary being visited by the archangel Gabriel to announce the approaching beginning of Jesus. Easter celebrates Jesus’ resurrection and his overcome loss of life.

A number of weeks later a Jewish rabbi leads Troopers by way of a Passover Seder, April 19 at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. Capt. Adam Strater, the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) chaplain, reads from the Haggadah, the Jewish writings that designate the sequence for the Seder. The Seder is the ritual meal and repair held for Passover. Strater defined that Passover marks the Jews gaining their freedom from Egypt.

“Virtually 90% of Jews rejoice Passover in some capability,” mentioned Strater. “We’re celebrating the discharge of our bondage from below Pharaoh. The concept is that in doing so we’re placing ourselves within the place of the Israelites who had been slaves in Egypt, and we’re embodying their motion from slavery to freedom by way of this meal that has totally different steps alongside the best way.”

Muslim Troopers additionally search to realize empathy by placing themselves by way of bodily experiences that signify what another person went by way of. Ekililu defined the bodily illustration discovered within the commentary of Ramadan.

“After we are fasting, ravenous, and going by way of testing, it reminds us of the individuals in creating nations, the individuals on the road, the beggars.” mentioned Ekililu. “You get a style of what some individuals face day-after-day of their lives.”

Deploying in service of their nation carries deep private that means for Troopers within the unit. The sense of shared goal is one thing the chaplains work exhausting to nurture for Troopers of all spiritual backgrounds.

“My principal viewers are Troopers,” mentioned Strater. “I make certain they’re supported the most effective I can by giving them entry to their very own spiritual practices, supporting them by way of pastoral care, and providing them 100% confidentiality to have the ability to have conversations.”

Dawson echoed the significance of dialogue.

“This deployment is a chance to stroll alongside our Troopers as they take a journey,” mentioned Dawson. “To have conversations, that in my thoughts are divine appointments. We’re on this location; we’re in shut proximity, and it creates these alternatives to have these very intimate discussions about one thing that’s life altering.”

By persevering with to prioritize non secular well-being as a part of its pledge to construct resilient Troopers, the brigade fosters an surroundings of belief and unity. This surroundings strengthens mission readiness and deepens dedication to the workforce.

“Our unit bond transcends quite a lot of variations that now we have,” mentioned Dawson. “You possibly can have a look at socioeconomic variables, you may have a look at political variables, and you’ll have a look at spiritual variables and see, although we come from totally different locations, we’re all part of the one hundred and first Fight Aviation Brigade.”