Dr. A. Way Fountain III Returns From Temporary Assignment In Iraq

Dr. A. Way Fountain III, senior technologist for chemistry at Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), recently returned from his 30-day temporary assignment in Iraq, where he served as chief scientist for Task Force Troy. The task force coordinates the Counter Improvised Explosive Device, or C-IED, mission in Iraq.

“My two biggest regrets are that I was not able to get over there sooner to work with Task

Force Troy and the Counter Explosives Exploitation Cell (CEXC) and that I was not able to stay longer,” Fountain said.

“It was a wonderful experience to work with the soldiers, sailors (U.S. Navy electronics technicians), Marines (Marine Explosive Ordnance Disposal, or EOD), and airmen (U.S. Air Force EOD) in CEXC as well as the number of people from an alphabet soup of other government agencies,” Fountain said. “In theater, you have a relevant mission that slaps you in the face every morning and although you work long tiring hours every single day, you are greatly rewarded just knowing that you are helping our soldiers in a very tangible manner. If my wife promised not to revolt, I'd go back there or to Afghanistan in an instant."

*In the first photo, Fountain and other members of the Counter Explosives Exploitation Cell (CEXC) fly to Northern Iraq by UH-60 Blackhawk.

*In the second photo, Fountain visits the Al-Faw Palace (Water Palace) and Headquarters of U.S. Forces Iraq.