From the S&S archives: President's stopover appears to play well with deployed GIs

BELI DOGLE, Somalia — President Bush's visit drew a mixed but mostly favorable reaction from a small sampling of troops he has deployed to bring food and order to Somalia.

"I think it's great. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to eat with the president, especially here in Somalia," said Pfc. Michael Brown, an aviation operations specialist usually with the 3rd Inf Div's 4th Aviation Brigade in Katterbach, Germany.

Brown is serving temporarily with Task Force 5-158, a mixture of about 700 soldiers assigned to helicopter units from across Germany that have deployed to Somalia as part of Operation Restore Hope.

Fellow task force member Victor Lozada, a fuel handler from the 158th Aviation Regt in Würzburg, Germany, found Bush's visit remarkable, "especially since he's leaving in January. You gotta respect that."

"I got a picture of his arm around me," said Marine Pfc. Valarie C. Thomas, 19, of Marine Air Logistics Sq 39 at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

"I think it was worthwhile, really," she said of the president's visit. "It upped the morale, and it reminded us that we're not forgotten."

However, some troops thought the reception arranged for the president was too staged.

"My opinion, he should come and see what we really do," said Warrant Officer Phillip D. Breske, a helicopter pilot from Co A, 7th Bn, 227th Aviation Regt, in Hanau, Germany.

Breske now works as part of the task force, which had only three days to prepare for the Bush visit. It was also flying missions to two Somalian towns.

Some troops, though happy to see Bush, said better living conditions would please them more.

"It's nice for the president to come by, but I'd rather have a soda pop, a newspaper and a hot meal," said Air Force Chief Master Sgt,. Jack Kitterman of the 60th Aerial Combat Sq, Travis AFB, Calif.