Subway Comes To FOB Hammer

By Sgt. Natalie Rostek
3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER – Soldiers of the 3rd (Heavy) Brigade Combat Team and civilians living at Forward Operating Base Hammer can add one more morale boost to the rapidly growing list.

Leaders and Soldiers of the 3rd HBCT, along with civilian contractors, attended a ribbon cutting ceremony signifying the grand opening of a new Subway Aug. 30 at the FOB.

“Now Soldiers of the best heavy brigade combat team in the United States Army can, not only go to the best dining facility the Army has to offer, but can also go to Subway,” said Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., commander, 3rd HBCT. “It’s a break from the day’s routine.”

The contracted workers smiled widely as the ribbon was cut. They were proud of their accomplishment and contribution to the 3rd HBCT’s mission.

“We are all part of a team,” said Robert Gotshell, chief of service for one of the contracted companies. “We are here to support and anything we can do, we’ll do it.”

“This is a great boost for the Soldier’s morale,” said Brandon Dixon, service business manager for the Army and Air Force Exchange Services, in Baghdad. “This is what the AAFES motto is all about; ‘We go where you go.’”

From left to right: Gotshell, chief of service for one of the contracting companies; Frank Sorbin, an assistant technical manager; Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., commander of the 3rd (Heavy) Brigade Combat Team; Lt. Col. Kelly Lawler, commander of the 203rd Brigade Support Battalion; Brandon Dixon, service business manager for the Army and Air Force Exchange Services. The group, in Baghdad, cut the ribbon during a ceremony signifying the grand opening of a Subway Aug. 30, at Forward Operating Base Hammer.
Pfc. Tony Mendez, 19, Kingsville, Texas, Company E, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, orders the first sandwich at the new Subway after the ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 30, at Forward Operating Base Hammer.