Thunder Times A Bi-Monthly Chronicle of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team Volume 1 Issue 19 November 15, 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 this Veterans Day, I find myself working with the door open to my office as it finally cooled off here in Kuwait. I hear the sounds of Soldiers walking by laughing, probably headed to the PX or to visit the Lt. Col. Paul Lyon local vendors who set up shop here Commander,150 EN at Camp Patriot. Another Soldier walks by geared up; headed to duty in support of one of the security missions here. In the distance, I can hear music and the sounds of Soldiers gathered at the MWR celebrating Veterans Day with games, hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks and plenty of comradery. All seems right for the moment considering we are so far from home. The Soldiers of the 150th Brigade Engineer Battalion and the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team are making a name for themselves in this historic deployment. It has been a long road leading to Kuwait and this mission, filled with successes and setbacks alike. What we have learned along the way is, as a team, this brigade can accomplish any mission no matter how complex or how difficult. This time last year many of us were taking a much needed post-NTC break and spending time with families before reporting to Camp Shelby after the New Year. In many ways, it feels like years ago… Then memories of fam-
ily and friends come rushing back and it only seems like yesterday we were at home preparing to leave. Time seems to fly by when you are focused on the mission. The 150th BEB has the most diverse mission set in the brigade with Engineer, Military Intelligence, UAS, CBRN, Forward Support Company, Engineer and Brigade HHC’s providing support across the area of responsibility. We are accomplishing all mission sets with our U.S. counterparts and regional partners. We work daily with the Kuwait Naval Forces here at KNB in an effort to improve base security, quality of life, and interoperability with our partners. Working with Kuwaitis is quite an experience for all our Soldiers as they learn about the Kuwaiti military and begin to understand our cultural differences. It is an experience that can’t be duplicated in a training environment and one that will serve them well in their military careers and in their civilian life after returning home. I am proud to serve my country as part of the 155th ABCT and the 150th BEB; providing a combat ready and lethal force always prepared to respond when called upon. The successes of this brigade would not be possible without the continued support of our families back home, the true heroes of this deployment. Thank you for all the sacrifices you are making so your Soldier can serve our country. I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving in Kuwait and back in the U.S. as there is so much to be thankful for. Essayons! Knight 6
CURRENT NEWS U.S. Army Spc. Dakota Rich, an infantryman assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 198th Armor Regiment, discusses the capabilities of the M4 carbine with a Qatari soldier at Um Hattah, Qatar, Nov. 5, 2018. Eastern Action is a U.S. Army Central led exercise conducted between U.S. and Qatari military forces to enhance interoperability and demonstrate our commitment to long-term stability in the region. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Jovi Prevot)
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FRONTLINE FRAMES
Sgt. Edwin Plunkett, Echo Company, 150 EN, uses a grinder to fix the edges of a broken guard rail to be used in a guard tower. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Grenilo Caspillan)
Scouts with Alpha Troop, 1-18 CAV, establish an observation post to identify targets in support of the troop’s live fire exercise. (Photo by 1st Lt. Manny Soriano)
S A F E T Y
Spc. Cleveland Allison with 106th SPT ensures proper documentation and inventory of equipment at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (Photo by Sgt. Khume Rhymes)
2nd Lt. Alex Maggard, 2-114th FA, had an opportunity to speak to a class of 3rd graders at a school in Kuwait City. (Courtesy photo)
Tips to help prevent Deep Fried Turkey accidents • KEEP OUTDOOR FRYERS OFF DECKS, OUT OF GARAGES, AND A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY FROM TREES AND OTHER STRUCTURES • MAKE SURE THE TURKEY IS THAWED AND DRY BEFORE COOKING • LEAVE TWO FEET BETWEEN THE TANK AND BURNER WHEN USING A PROPANE-POWERED FRYER
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CHAPPY’S CHAT As we approach our ninemonth mark on the deployment, many Soldiers and family members have settled into new and sometimes unfamiliar routines which have somehow become familiar. Many spouses and families have developed new skill sets they did not know they Spc. Zuniga, Ch. Brown had and to quote my wife UMT, 2-137 IN Genie, “Wow I didn’t know taking care of a ranch and livestock involved so much time and effort. I think I’ve got this down.” I am sure many of you have similar stories. What I wanted to talk about today is Strong Bonds. Strong Bonds is an Army program sponsored and paid for by for the U.S. Army Chaplaincy to support single soldiers and families. Its core focus is on resiliency and strengthening relationships. As Soldiers and family members, we share a unique lifestyle that brings its own set of challenges. This program focuses on those challenges and is open to all regardless
of faith background. There are several forms of curriculum we use. All have been tried and tested, evolving over the years with changing deployment cycles. The event is usually one or two days involving a group setting and focuses on issues unique to the military. The setting is relaxed and can take place in a number of locations. 2-137 IN has two scheduled for next summer. The 155 ABCT has events scheduled from late spring to early fall. Locations are to be announced. For 155 ABCT Strong Bonds information contact CH (MAJ) David Morris at david.o.morris15.mil@mail.mil. This timeframe may seem far off but it will be here before you know it. If you have questions concerns or need more information please call, text, or WhatsApp me at 785-210-7664. I can also be reached by Voxer at dbrown52948 or douglas.s.brown.mil@mail.mil. Hope to see you all soon and may God bless you. Ch. Brown
Eastern Action 19 Kicks Off in Qatar Story by Vince Cummings
UM HATTAH, Qatar – Qatari and U.S. Army Central forces launched into Exercise Eastern Action 19 with the opening ceremony on Nov. 4, 2018. Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 198th Armor Regiment, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Spartan, and Qatari Emiri Land Forces, combined for the ceremony and will join forces in the command post and field training exercises. “This exercise is one that has been taking place for several years,” said Col. Robert B. Kuth, commander of Area Support Group-Qatar, ARCENT. “Since the first iteration, we have focused on enhancement of interoperability of land forces, as we build partnership capacity together. Both our nations are committed to promoting security and stability, in pursuit of shared mutual interests, throughout the region.” Kuth emphasized that this year will be the first that a field training exercise will be held in addition to the reoccurring command post exercise. “It is out in the desert where we will communicate and refine our common goals of contributing to regional and world stability, through improving operational readiness and mutual enhancement of the understanding of each other’s forces, as a symbol of our growing partnership,” said Kuth.
One individual looking forward to the combined exercise is Lt. Col. Chris Cooksey, battalion commander of the 2-198 AR. “As I look at the capabilities of the equipment gathered here, we have tremendous opportunity to exercise here with our Qatari partners,” said Cooksey. “Together we will achieve success as we learn and grow from each other in the days ahead.” Eastern Action is scheduled to take place through the first half of November.
Eastern Action 19 Opening Ceremonies
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Meet Your Team Hello, I’m Maj. Steven Meadows. I’m a native of Demopolis, Alabama, and joined the Mississippi Army National Guard in March 1983, while still a Cadet at Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama. I was commissioned as an 11A – Infantry Officer, and attended the Special Forces qualification course from 1985 – 1986 as a second lieutenant. I was then givMaj. Steven Meadows en the job identifier 18A – Special 155 ABCT S-8 Forces Officer. I served with the 20th Special Forces Group from 1983 - 1989 but took a break in service from the Army to serve with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New York City from 1988-1994, conducting counter terrorism/counter espionage surveillances, before returning to the National Guard in 2008. I had been out of the military for 19 years, when a classmate of mine from Marion Military Institute and also a former 20th SFG officer, convinced me to submit my application for re-instatement to the National Guard.
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PARTING SHOT
I am now serving as the S-8 Budget Officer for the 155th ABCT, I work with my NCOIC, Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Hambrick, behind the scenes for the Soldiers out in the fight. While working as the Budget Officer, the support coming from my desk goes directly to the battalions and companies that are conducting theater security cooperation and building and sustaining unit readiness to deter, disrupt, and prevent regional aggression. My civilian experience working in retail management most certainly provided a great benefit for understanding the movement of large amounts of money and contracting of supplies, quickly and efficiently, across a huge distribution network. Working in the military provides the experience of coordination with higher and subordinate commands as well as units outside of the ABCT. We are making an impact in supporting the restoration of stability in this region through our efforts with planning for and obtaining over $80 million dollars’ worth of equipment and supplies. The materiel supports our operations throughout the U.S. Central Command theater. Maj. Meadows
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PUBLISHED BY THE 155TH ABCT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE PAO - 1st Lt. Terry Hill II Lt. Col. Paul Boler, 1-155 IN commander and Col. Jack Vantress, 177 AR BDE commander pose for a picture in Kuwait after a radio interview with ROCK 104.5 host Tom Colt. (Courtesy photo)
PAO NCOIC - Staff Sgt. Michael Williams PA SPECIALIST - Spc. Jovi Prevot
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