Thunder Times A Bi-Monthly Chronicle of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team Volume 1
THIS ISSUE From the Top Current News
Pg. 1
Pg. 1
Frontline Frames
Pg. 2
Play It Safe
Pg. 2
Chappy’s Chat APS-5 Draw Mail Call
Pg. 3 Pg. 3
Pg. 4
155th ABCT FAMILY READINESS 24 HOUR HOTLINE 601-313-0155
Issue 10
July 1, 2018
FROM THE TOP Hello from blissful Camp Buehring, Kuwait. I’m LTC William Walley, also known as Ghostchaser 06, and I’m the commander of LTC William Walley the 106th Brigade 106th BSB Support Battalion headquartered in Monticello, Magee, Hattiesburg (Camp Shelby), and Crystal Springs and our mission is to provide tactical logistics and health service support to the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team. Sustaining an ABCT is not an easy task. It takes Soldiers working around the clock providing maintenance, bulk fuel, ammunition,
food, water, transportation, and health care. The Ghostchaser Team does an outstanding job supporting our brigade and that was very evident this past predeployment training rotation at Fort Bliss, Texas. As we deploy in support of Operation Spartan Shield, I just want to thank the families, employers, communities for their continued support of their Soldiers and this unit. We’ll continue to sustain the brigade and represent our communities, the Mississippi Army National Guard and the State of Mississippi as we accomplish the tasks ahead of us. “We Shall Provide” Ghostchaser 06
CURRENT NEWS “Its been an intense road, but the 155th Thunder Brigade has [once again] arrived in the Middle East,” said Col. Doug Ferguson, 155th ABCT commander. “We are looking forward to a great deployment.”
1
FRONTLINE FRAMES
Dixie Thunder brigade Soldiers maintains their readiness as they prepare to draw and inspect at the Army Prepositioned Stock 5 yard. (Photo by 2Lt. William Hill)
Vehicles are loaded off the HET’s and are ready to used by Soldiers of the Thunder Brigade. (Photo by Sgt. Brittany Johnson)
S A F E T Y
1-155th INF REGT Air Assault Instructor monitor Air Assault cadets as they move through an obstacle course. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Williams)
Vehicles are staged in the Army Prepositioned Stock 5 yard for inspection and draw for the Thunder Brigade as they begin their vehile processing. (Photo by 2Lt. William Hill)
HEAT INJURY PREVENTION • PROVIDE WORKERS WITH WATER, REST AND SHADE • ALLOW SM TO GRADUALLY INCREASE WORKLOADS, FREQUENT BREAKS AS THEY ACCLIMATIZE OR BUILD A TOLERANCE FOR WORKING IN THE HEAT • PLAN FOR EMERGENCIES AND TRAIN WORKERS ON PREVENTION • MONITOR WORKERS FOR SIGNS OF ILLNESS
2
CHAPPY’S CHAT Often when thinking of the deployment cycle, we think of Predeployment notice and preparation training. Deployment, departure, sustainment (combat and conflict). Reunion, and Reintegration/ Post Deployment. But what Maj. Doug Brown do these terms mean? How Chaplain, 2-137th CAB doe we integrate these phases and activities while nuturing our lives and the lives of our loved ones. First we have to understand these are phased the whole family experiences, not just the Service Member. During each phase there are different feelings and emotions at work. Every Soldier has a family member who is excited to get their call, message, or email. Same goes for the Soldier. But Spirituality and resilience require a little more work than checking your Smart Phone, email or Facebook. Spirituality and Resilience require intentionally and effort. So how do we get from terms to actions?
Here are some tips that can help you on your journey to Spirituality and Resilience. Share your thoughts and beliefs with those who hold similiar beliefs. Take part in creative arts, painting, music, writing, ect. Embrace the outdoors. Participate in physical activities like walks, hikes, swims, or runs. Read about Spiritual teachings. Develop a prayer life (try it, it works) and pray as a Family. Find a religious service or practice that meets your needs. Think positively. Practice these tips with your love ones. Have Fun and know the spiritual dimension is one of the most powerful dimensions of a person. Let’s take care of it. A good resilience founded on strong Spirituality helps Soldiers and families. If kyou have any questions or concerns, you can always call or email me at 785-210-7664 or hoper959@gmail.com. God bless and know your Religious Support Team is praying for you and your family every day. Doug+
Army Prepositioned Stock keeps brigade “ready” Modern and lethal equipment that Soldiers can fall-in on is essential to assuring the readiness of Army units. When Soldiers deploy there are several preparations that are essential in assuring a successful transition. Especially when it comes to getting the equipment they need. For the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team this means drawing equipment from the Army Prepositioned Stock located nearby. APS is a program that consists of prepositioned sets of equipment in different places in the world so military units can fall-in on what they need to help speed response time for a deploying unit and save on cost. With the APS draw, the Thunder Brigade boasts its readiness rate of 90 percent of being ready and mission capable.
“I think drawing APS-5 versus shipping our own equipment is better,” said Sgt. Christopher Holliday, a multichannel transmission systems operator-maintainer, with Company C, 150th Engineer Battalion. It saves money and considering that they are getting fairly new equipment it helps to prevent further maintenance problems with the vehicles, said Holliday. At the APS site, equipment is checked and maintained to ensure that it will be ready at a moment’s notice. After arriving in country, the battalions have begun to inventory and inspect equipment and vehicles that will be used throughout the deployment. “The progress of inspecting the vehicles and loading them is moving fairly quickly,” said Holliday. “It takes us collectively as a brigade, to sign for the equipment, inventory it and move to other locations in a little over three days.” As the 155th ABCT continues to draw their equipment they maintain their readiness and remain ready to complete a successful mission in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
3
KNOW YOUR MIL 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment is the reconnaissance element of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the California Army National Guard. Prior to the most recent reorganization of the United States Army National Guard, the unit was an aviation unit. It was equipped with AH-1F Cobras, and formred part of the 40th Infantry Dvisions Aviation Brigade. The unit reogranized and was redesignated on March 1, 1963 as the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 18th Armored Cavalry, and relieved from assignment to the 40th Armored Division. It was reorganized and redesignated on November 1, 1965 as the 1st Squadron 18th Armored Cavalry; and ordered into active federal service on May 13, 1968 at home stations; before released on December 12, 1969 from active federal service and reverting to state control. On December 13, its headquarters was moved to Ontario. It was reorganized and redesignated on January 13, 1974 as the 18th Cavalry, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regmiental Systems, to consist of the 1st Squadron, an element of the 40th Infantry Division. It was withdrawn on January 1988 from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System. In the 2003-2004 time peroid Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Troops were actived in support of Operation Noble Eagle. In 2005-2006, the Squadron were mobilized to provide a security force for Camp Delta which fell under the GWOT Campaign. A few of the troopers were assigned to the 184th Infantry during their 2004 deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom, with some dying in combat.
Check us out online!
@155ABCT
Check out our Homepage
Parting Shot
Staff Sgt. Soulivony Thiphavong, an Air Assault instructor, gives encouraging words to an Air Assault cadet as he completes an obstacle at Fort Bliss, Texas.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD OUR APP! APP STORE & GOOGLE PLAY PUBLISHED BY THE 155TH ABCT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE PAO - 1st Lt. Terry Hill II PAO NCOIC - Staff Sgt. Michael Williams PA SPECIALIST - Sgt. Brittany Johnson
4