AFN Iraq

AFN Iraq is the American Forces Network of radio stations within Iraq. The network, nicknamed Freedom Radio, broadcasts news, information, and entertainment programs, including adult contemporary music. Its mission is to "sustain and improve the morale and readiness" of U.S. forces in Iraq.

The first song played live on AFN was "Freedom" by Paul McCartney.

SGT Brittany Holloway (left) and SPC Kristen King (right) sit outside the Baghdad PX while on a live remote for AFN Iraq.

The network includes the following stations:

• Baghdad 1 kW on 93.3 and 107.7 FM
• Mosul, 1 kW on 105.1 FM
• Tikrit, 1 kW on 93.3 FM
• Balad (LSA Anaconda) 250w on 107.3 FM
• Qayarrah West Airfield (Q-West), 250w on 93.3 FM
• Sinjar, 250w on 107.9 FM
• Kirkuk, 200w on 100.1 and 107.3 FM
• Ali, (formerly Tallil), 200w on 100.1 and 107.3 FM

Founding members and disc jockeys

• Air Force Master Sergeant Erik Brazones, founding member
• Air Force Technical Sergeant Bob Herron, founding member
• Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Troy Ruby, founding member
• Air Force Staff Sergeant Chris Eder, founding member
• Air Force Senior Airman Brent Skeen, founding member
• Air Force MSgt Bobby L. Herron, founding member
• MSgt Erik Brazones, original disc jockey
• Army Sergeant Sandra Mercado, first morning DJ
• Specialist Abbey Cayanan, first afternoon DJ
• 222nd Broadcast Operations Detachment out of California, received control of the AFN Radio Station after the first day of operation. The unit broadcasted from the station for more than 1 year and was replaced by another Army Reserve unit from Ga.

Current members of the freedom radio team include:

Air Force SrA Mike "Hutch" Hutchinson...Wake up, 0600-0800

Air Force SrA Mike "Hutch" Hutchinson and Air Force A1C Jackie Gonzales..."the Morning Deuce", 0800-1200

Air Force A1C Jackie Gonzales...You're girl, Jackie G., 1200-1400

MC3 Erik Crosby...afternoons, 1400-1600

Air Force SSgt Sasha Navarro...evenings, 1600-2200

AF MSgt Pachari Lutke...80's Ear Spank, Saturday 1000-1200

AF A1C Jackie Gonzales...Rock your face off, Saturdays, 1200-1500

MC1 Tracey Goff...Country Convoy, Sundays, 100-1400

AF MSgt Dorlinda Barker...Classic Rock Sunday, Sunday 1400-1800

Television

Freedom Journal Iraq is produced by the electronic news gathering (ENG) team of the American Forces Network-Iraq, five times a week. The 10 minute newscast is produced Monday through Friday and uploaded via satellite to the Pentagon Channel in Washington D.C. Originally, the program was produced weekly. The newscast was awarded 1st and 2nd place Keith L. Ware Broadcast Journalism Awards in 2005 for best Army Television Newscast while being produced by the 206th BOD. Broadcast journalists have traveled the entire theater of operations in support of Freedom Journal Iraq, from Kuwait to Turkey. Although, not desiginated combat camera correspondents, several broadcast journalists have been awarded the Combat Action Badge for their duty serving at American Forces Network-Iraq.

External links

• AFN Iraq, official website
• Kasbah Radio, un-official website
• 206 BOD, 206th BOD site (The 206th manned AFN Iraq from August, 2005-July, 2006)

SSgt Eder (Kasbah) and TSgt Herron (Bob) won the Thomas Jefferson Award for a show they hosted. It was the third live show on AFN Iraq.