Thunder Times A Bi-Monthly Chronicle of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team Volume 1 Issue 18 November 1, 2018
THIS ISSUE From the Top Current News
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Frontline Frames
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Play It Safe
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Chappy’s Chat
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From the Front
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Meet Your Team
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Parting Shot
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155th ABCT FAMILY READINESS 24 HOUR HOTLINE 601-313-0155
FROM THE TOP On behalf of the 1-98 CAV Command Sgt. Maj. Dwight Brown and myself, “marhabaan”. The entire 1-98 CAV leadership and staff want to take a moment to personally thank you for your work ethic and duty as a United States Lt. Col. Glenn Adams Soldier. Commander, 1-98 CAV We also want to take this time and thank your families for their continued support and keeping your family affairs in order as we once again answer the call to protect our nation’s interests. As we continue our deployment in the Middle East, the prayers, phone calls, and letters from home become more and more cherished. It is now that we, as Soldiers and military families, realize how special and important the bond is between us and not take our precious time for granted when we are in the comforts of our home. As the Squadron Commander, it has been an honor to work each day with you either directly or indirectly over the past three years. Since my enlistment in 1989, I and all of my peers can
honestly say we have never seen a more professional and lethal unit in our entire military career. This has come with a great price, to yourself, your family, and your employment. We are what’s meant when it is said “if it were easy, everyone would do it.” Since arriving in country this summer, we have had the opportunity to go to parts of the world no one in the 155 ABCT has ever been and make a true impact to the strategic mission. The Soldiers of the 155 ABCT have performed missions and training opportunities with our Middle East allies and NATO forces and will take this experience back to help mentor our future Soldiers and leaders. Unlike previous deployments, we have Soldiers operating in remote areas away from their senior leadership and you, the NCO/Leader have answered the call each time. This is a true testament of your can-do attitude and your love for your fellow team member. In closing, I would like to personally thank the Troopers of 1-98 CAV for their work, determination, and support in accomplishing every mission we have asked of them. The past three years in command have been the best of my military career and I will never forget the sacrifices you have selflessly given. SCOUTS OUT! Gunslinger 6
CURRENT NEWS “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” ~
Henry Ford
Soldiers with 2-198 AR conduct room clearing procedures as officers from the Kuwait Land Forces Institute look on. The partnership increases interoperability and lethality between U.S. and Kuwaiti forces. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Williams)
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FRONTLINE FRAMES
Troopers with B/1-18 CAV, conduct a mortar live fire exercise in preparation for integrated platoon and troop level training. (Photo by Capt. Darell Baldwin)
Soldiers with 2-137 IN compete for the coveted silver spurs during a Spur Ride at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (Photo by Spc. Stephan Morgan)
Spc. Terry Martin, of HC/106 SPT conducts M2 machine gun qualification near Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (Photo by Sgt. Khume Rhymes)
C/150 EN conducts retrans support for B/150 EN to conduct gunnery at Udairi Range, Kuwait. (Photo by Spc. Nicholas Kelley)
S A F E T Y
COLD WEATHER SAFETY • CHANGE SOCKS OFTEN • COVER HEAD AND NECK, 80% OF HEAT LOSS IF FROM HERE • USE SYNTHETIC FIBERS, NATURAL FIBERS RETAIN MOISTURE AND HAVE POOR WICKING ABILITY • REMEMBER TO HYDRATE AND REST
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CHAPPY’S CHAT We all go through ups and downs in life. The question is not IF but WHEN bad stuff hits the fan. When the outlook gets bad, how do we respond? When the bills pile up, the breakup is final, a loved one passes away, the effects of being away from home for so long begin to manifest, what will you do? How will you get through it?
flects those beliefs. We need to practice those responses on the small scale so we are prepared. Is someone annoying you at work? That is chance to practice patience and love. Later on you may find yourself in greater need of patience and love. Is there a pressing need your family has? You can exercise your faith in God, for he has said he will provide for you. There are dozens of opportunities each day to practice the habits of walking with the Lord. Trials and tribulations are never easy, but the closer you are with God through them, the more you will learn, the more you will be aware of his presence, and the more peace you will have.
1. Decide ahead of time how you want to respond to life’s gutter balls. Remember: not IF but WHEN! When the bad stuff happens, are you prepared spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically to deal with it the way you would like to? Decide ahead of time how you want to walk through the fire. God promises to be your shepherd in the good times and bad, in the darkest, scariest valley and the peaceful plains (Psalm 23). God is with you wherever you go, but we need to decide ahead of time that if stuff hits the fan, we will stick close to God through the process.
3. Know your Shepherd. God is the good shepherd, he promises to be with you. Jesus said, “I am with you, even until the end of time.” Is God calling you to follow him; to adjust your normal approach to life’s storms? Walking with him requires faith, even if small at first. The Bible says faith comes through hearing the word of God. The Bible and prayer help us to know him better. The more we know him, the more we can place our trust in him. If you stick close to him, you will see the fruit of the spirit (Love, peace, joy, goodness, kindness, patience, gentleness, discipline, faithfulness) in your life - even when the “stuff” hits the fan!
2. Practice Makes Perfect. Every day we are faced with challenges that call into question our core beliefs, our response re-
Blessings! Ch. Triesch
Capt. Jeff Triesch
Chaplain, 1-18 CAV
Going for the Gold Story by Spc. Jovi M. Prevot
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – A long-standing relationship between the U.S. and German armies has led to decades of exchange in language, culture and tactics; additionally the continued combined training has allowed Soldiers from both countries to challenge themselves by attempting to achieve the standards of their partner nation. Fifteen Soldiers of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, along with Service Members from throughout the U.S. and numerous partner nations, competed for the German Armed Forces Badge of Military Proficiency (GAFPB), October 15-18, 2018. “This week I competed for the GAFPB,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Bobby L. Horne Jr., a geospatial engineer assigned to Headquarters Company, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Mississippi Army National Guard. “Overall I finished with the silver. “ In total, 334 Service Members competed for the GAFPB, but only 188 badges were awarded. The standards measured many areas of basic soldiering skills. “The GAFPB requires completion of six events total: a swim
test, weapons qualification with the M9, a Basic Fitness Test (consisting of 11x10m sprints, a flexed arm hang, and 1000m sprint), and a ruck march,” said Horne. Two of the events were validated before the Soldiers could compete for the badge. “Before coming to the event, competitors were required to be verified by their units to be competent in Hazmat and CLS,” said Horne. In each event you are competing for the badge, not against other competitors, but with and among them. “I competed next to soldiers from Spain, France, Italy, and various other countries. I also competed next to Army Soldiers I would have never met without this event,” he said. For the Firefighter and Greenville, Miss. native the challenge was about more than the badge. “Personally I always look for a new exciting way to benefit and develop myself as a person and a Soldier,” said Horne. “The GAFBP not only tested my grit, but also gave an insight to military branches from around the world.” Though he missed the gold standard by a 10 second flexed arm hang, Horne got so much more from the competition. “I made friendships with a few folks I never would have met. I believe I will be a better leader and Soldier because of this experience,” said Horne. Events like the GAFPB allow for the long-standing tradition of cultural exchange between U.S and German armies to continue, training soldiers to be well-rounded leaders.
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Meet Your Team The 155 ABCT S-6 section is the overarching communication section for the Brigade. We are comprised of seven different departments including Helpdesk Operations, Network Operations, Systems Operations, Combat Network Radio (CNR), Communication Security (COMSEC), Spectrum Management, and Cyber Network Defense/InMaj. Steve Mitchell formation Assurance. My team 155 ABCT S-6 is the largest in the Headquarters Company consisting of 22 personnel. My team consists of a mixture of IT and radio experts who are some of the best and brightest individuals I have ever served with. The 155 ABCT S-6 section is primarily responsible for planning, maintaining, and supporting the brigade’s communication network. We provide helpdesk support for IT and radios throughout the brigade. We assist our subordinate battalions if needed whenever they have issues with
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PARTING SHOT
their equipment. We coordinate with outside organizations for maintenance support on communication systems. We provide communication security for all transmission systems. We also monitor and defend our DOD Information Network (DODIN) from Cyber Attacks. Our overall mission is to be ready to provide tactical and strategic communications at any time in any place. The S-6 section is important because without communication no unit can fight effectively. Eventually the bullets, the food, the water, and the fuel will all run out. If there is no way for forward units to call back to the rear for support, then the mission will fail and Soldiers could die. We are also the backbone of Mission Command. The commanders will not be able to maneuver their forces on the battlefield without some form of communication. We establish the Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency (PACE) plans for how everyone will talk if one echelon fails. There is an old saying: “You can talk about us, but you can’t talk without us.” Maj. Steve “Squirrel” Mitchell
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PUBLISHED BY THE 155TH ABCT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE PAO - 1st Lt. Terry Hill II Warrant Officer John Harlan and Sgt. 1st Class Lee Stringer, both with the 155th ABCT Mobility Team, observe an Army logistics support vessel at a port near Kuwait City. (Photo by 1st. Lt. Terry Hill)
PAO NCOIC - Staff Sgt. Michael Williams PA SPECIALIST - Spc. Jovi Prevot
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