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Utahn Aims to Spread Positive Stories of Iraq

Jul-30-2005 » Filed Under: Iraq News

Link to Full Article
Jed Boal Reporting

In addition to the war against Iraqi insurgents, American troops continue to help rebuild the country. The news media is often accused of not telling the story of the reconstruction, the positive stories, but a Utah man is on his way to Iraq to spread that story.

Returning troops, soldiers in Iraq, and the Department of Defense often claim negative stories and pictures are the only images you get to see from the war. They say their success stories rarely make it to air or print. Public Affairs Specialist Claude McKinney packed up his office at the 96th Regional Readiness Command at Fort Douglas; he's headed over to help out. [...]

McKinney will live in Mosul and cover provinces in the north. He came to Fort Douglas 14 years ago as a uniformed Public Affairs Officer and moved into the civilian position.

Claude McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist: "I'm certain there's going to be some level of risk. I'm going into a war zone, but I feel calm and comfortable in my safety. I don't have any fear in that regard."

In a year, McKinney will return to Fort Douglas and return to his public affairs duties with the 96th. He said he will certainly miss family and friends, but there are some job opportunities too important to pass up.

McKinney says the public affairs team will be comprised of six to eight specialists who will cover different regions of Iraq.


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