I'm an Ethics Instructor at the U.S. Army Aviation Centerof Excellence
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Chaplain Densford first entered the Army in 1988 as an enlisted Chaplain Assistant and served in the 4th Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. He returned to the Army as a Chaplain in January 2004 and has served as the Battalion Chaplain for 5th Squadron, 15th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Knox, Kentucky; 25th Signal Battalion, Camp Asalayah, Qatar; 3-159 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, Illesheim, Germany and 2nd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Chaplain Densford also served as the Brigade Chaplain for the 1st Engineer Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, the MP Regimental Chaplain and Ethics Instructor at the U.S. Army Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, the Deputy Garrison Chaplain at USAG Alaska and is now an Ethics Instructor at at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence. His deployments include a 13 month tour in Iraq with 3-159 ARB and a 12 month tour in Qatar and Afghanistan with 25th Signal BN.
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Chaplain Densford entered the Army as a Chaplain after about 15 years of civilian ministry in Ohio, Colorado and Upstate New York. He is endorsed by the Church of the Nazarene where he has served the majority of his ministry, though he has also ministered in various capacities in Wesleyan, Baptist (BGC), Lutheran (LCMS) and United Church of Christ (UCC) churches.
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Chaplain Densford earned an Associate of Christian Education (ACE) and Bachelor of Biblical Studies (BBS) from Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, Colorado (1995), a Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) from Northeastern Seminary in Rochester, New York (2003) and a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, MO (2013) and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Northeastern Seminary. In May 2021 he received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.
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His military education includes enlisted Basic Combat Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey (1988); the Chaplain Assistant Course at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey (1988); the Chaplain Officer Basic and Chaplain Captain Career Courses (2004 & 2010) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina; and the Cultural Awareness Training Course (Middle East Region) (2005).
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Chaplain Densford’s awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3 Device), NATO Medal (Afghanistan), and the Cold War Service Certificate.
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Chaplain Densford is married to the former Holly Lorraine Parr who together have five children: Jacob, Hannah, Jonathan, Julia and Heidi.
Description During 2008 and 2009, all non-U.S. foreign forces withdrew from Iraq. Withdrawal of all non-U.S. forces was complete by 31 July 2009. As of 1 January 2009, the Iraqi government became fully responsible, through its security ministries, for maintaining and providing security and rule of law for its populace. Furthermore, as of 28 June 2009, no foreign forces were stationed within any of Iraq's major cities. The United States decided after negotiations to cease combat operations, that is, patrolling, serving arrest warrants, route clearance, etc., within Iraq by 1 September 2010, and transition to a pure advise, train and assist role. The changing mission entailed major troop reductions; from 115,000 on 15 December 2009, to 50,000 by 1 September 2010, and to zero by 31 December 2011.
As a result of the evolution of Operation Iraqi Freedom, three major commands (Multi-National Force – Iraq, Multi-National Corps – Iraq and Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq) were merged on 1 January 2010. The streamlining reduced the total number of staff positions by 41%, and serves the new advise, train and assist role of the American forces under the U.S.–Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement. The reduced number of staff positions decreased the personnel requirements on the United States armed forces. This also meant that further space was created for the reconstitution of the U.S. military after the end of significant combat operations. (This reconstitution may include, for example, longer leave for many personnel, enhanced space for psychological counselling, equipment repair and maintenance, transport of enormous amounts of equipment, supplies, and materiel south to Kuwait and onward, reconsideration of requirements, etc.).
The new USF–I was claimed to be organized into three divisions, which as of January 2010 were actually four. United States Division – North takes over from the former MND–N, United States Division – Center takes over from United States Force – West and MND–Baghdad, amalgamated on 23 January 2010, and United States Division – South, takes over from the old MND–South. In December 2009/January 2010 when the transition occurred, the 34th Infantry Division was providing the headquarters of MND/USD South. On 3 February 2010, the 1st Infantry Division took command of USD–South (covering nine Governorates of Iraq, including Wasit Governorate and Babil Governorate) from the 34th Infantry Division. A number of Advise and Assist (A&A) Brigades were created to carry out the Advise and Assist mission. Advise and Assist brigades were 'standard combat brigades with a complement of forty-eight extra majors and colonels to serve as advisers to Iraqi troops.'
MNSTC–I became U.S. Forces – Iraq, Advising and Training, which was under a major general, double-hatted as Commander, NATO Training Mission – Iraq (NTM–I).
Withdrawals
1 January 2009 – The U.S.–Iraq Status of Forces Agreement went into effect, and gave the Government of Iraq de jure responsibility of maintaining and providing security for all of its people. Approximately 150,000 foreign troops in Iraq.
28 June 2009 – Foreign forces were no longer stationed within any of Iraq's major cities. Proclaimed as a national holiday by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
31 July 2009 – The last large groups of non-U.S. foreign forces completed their withdrawal from Iraq.
1 January 2010 – The major commands Multi-National Force – Iraq, Multi-National Corps – Iraq and Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq merged into the unified command United States Forces – Iraq, reducing the total number of staff positions by 41%. Approximately 112,000 U.S. troops in Iraq.
7 March 2010 – Iraq held parliamentary elections, its second under its democratic constitution, and is seen as an important milestone for the young Iraqi political system; this leaves approximately 96,000 U.S. troops in Iraq.
1 September 2010 – American forces ceased all combat operations, i.e. patrolling, serving arrest warrants, route clearance, etc., and transitioned to a pure advise, train and assist role. Operation Iraqi Freedom is officially concluded
