3rd Ed., Vol. 4: Dec. 2012
A PUBLICATION FOR THE SOLDIERS AND FAMILIES OF THE 1ST AIR CAVALRY BRIGADE
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a l r v y a B C r r i i g A ad t Commanding Officer Col. Cory A. Mendenhall
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Command Sergeant Major Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Amagliani
Public Affairs OIC Capt. Joshua Amstutz Public Affairs Layout/Design Staff Sgt. Richard D. Sherba In accordance with AR 360-1 and the regulations set forth by the U.S. Army Public Affairs Center, the Air Cav Journal is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of Air Cav Journal are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, the 1st Cavalry Division or the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade. All editorial content of Air Cav Journal is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade Public Affairs Office. The 1st Air Cavalry Brigade Public Affairs Office is located in Camp Marmal, Afghanisian
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Commander’s Corner Warriors, Families and friends of for their Nation Training Center Rothe 1st ACB, tation in January 2013. 615th Aviation Support Battalion Greetings and Happy Holidays to is deploying their water purification everyone on the AIR CAV Team. section to the field to work with and Our Troopers just finished up a become familiar with new water pusuccessful aerial gunnery exercise, rification equipment. qualifying AH-64D Apache, UH4-227th will be deploying their 60 Blackhawk, and CH-47 Chinook tactical operations center to the field aircrews in live fire proficiency. to work communications and trackBefore we could unpack our bags, ing systems, and flying their aircraft Thanksgiving was upon us and the against simulated air defense threat. smell of turkey and stuffing could Additionally, our Families are be smelled around post. deep in the planning process to exThere on only 10 full training ecute their unit Christmas Parties. days in the month of December be- I’m sure we can expect a visit from fore we go into the Holiday ½ day Jolly Ole Saint Nick. schedule and our units are taken full On behalf of the CSM and Comadvantage of their time. mand Chief Warrant Officer, we TF Attack (1-227th with sup- wish everyone a very safe and enporting aircraft from 2-227th and joyable Holiday Season. 3-227th) are executing a 10 day Please take time to spend with your field training exercise in preparation Families and look forward to seeing
everyone’s smiling faces back at work following the New Year. AIR CAV – America’s First Team. Col. Cory A. Mendenhall 1ACB, Commanding
Chaplain’s Corner Warriors, As Thanksgiving fast approaches, most of us are wrapped up with thoughts of family members, travel plans and the biggest meal we cook allyear long. On Monday some Fort Hood Chaplains, Chaplain Assistants and a great group of civilian volunteers stop to give back to our Fort Hoodcommunity. A group of about 15 civilian volunteers made up of Military family members and retirees contacted Fort Hood with a Thanksgiving mission. The mission was to assemble and disseminate over 200 Turkey meals to our troops. Chaplain, Chaplain Assistants and Civilians gathered early Monday morning and worked
together to provide these outstanding meals to brighten festivities for some Soldiers. Some Turkeys weighed as much as 18 pounds and went to larger families consisting of 6-8 children. These meals included Turkey and all the traditional fixings to make this holiday a little more special. Each basket was complete with the Soldier or a Soldier’s family member choice of a special desert from a large assortments donated by HEB and Killeen Food Bank. Many families small and large benefited greatly from these kind acts and it was simply stated by a spouse, “I am thankful that people give.” There are many events going on all over Fort Hood to celebrate and give thanks during the Holiday Sea-
son. In our neck of the woods the ACB Unit Ministry Team was hard at work to get out the message of thanksgiving. 1-227th held a prayer breakfast at Theodore Roosevelt DFAC on Tuesday morning. The battalion commander (LTC) Cain Baker gave a rousing message about family and his faith. The following morning CH (CPT) Montgomery and SPC Potter presented a great venue for Soldiers to reflect on what Thanksgiving means to them through CH (MAJ)Shabazz’s inspirational message as the guest speaker. Have a happy thanksgiving.... CH (MAJ) Khallid Shabazz BDE CHAP
Ready for a Thanksgiving Feast Story by Rose L.Thayer, Killeen Daily Herald FORT HOOD, Texas - Inside the eight operating Fort Hood dining facilities, “92 Golfs” are preparing for their busiest day of the year — Thanksgiving. “It gets crazy in here,” said Pfc. Arielle Stine, a cook in the Theodore Roosevelt Dining Facility. “I was nervous my first year, but now it’s exciting.” This is Stine’s third year preparing a Thanksgiving feast at an Army dining facility, which are known for going all out on the holiday with ice and chocolate sculptures, elaborate cakes and large food displays. Last year, more than 2,500 people dined at six Fort Hood dining facilities, said Cloise Graves, installation food adviser. Fort Hood has 12 total dining facilities and the number open varies by which units are home, and this year with two more open, Graves is expecting a larger crowd. “It’s been a tradition forever,” he said of the elaborate
Thanksgiving meals. “Where it started, I do not know, but it is a tradition and we maintain it.” At the Roosevelt, which serves 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 36th Engineer Brigade and 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, they are expecting 1,200 soldiers, family members and retirees. Sgt. 1st Class John Contreras, Roosevelt manager, said they began planning two months ago for a traditional meal with turkeys, hams and all the sides. “All of it’s fun and great to do,” he said. “The soldiers put all that work in and get creative.” Part of the fun for the cooks is to get creative, which is encouraged, he said. “I’ve had a number of soldiers say, ‘Hey, I’d like to make X, Y and Z. Can I do it?’ It’s always fun to see them create,” Contreras said. “You have to have a lot of pride in what you do. Those soldiers with pride enjoy
FORT HOOD, Texas - Spc. Devan Haben Support Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, and Pvt. Tia Brown, 615th Avaition Support Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, prepare a scarecrow while preparing for the Thanksgiving feast, Monday, November 19, 2012 at Fort Hood. (Photo by Catrina Rawson, Killeen Daily Herald)
Photos by Catrina Rawson, Killeen Daily Herald
these meals.” The Roosevelt’s cooks have already been hard at work building pilgrim and Indian tallow sculptures, a violin cake, a Bible cake and four other cakes bearing the patches of the units they serve and III Corps. A shrimp boat is also planned. Even though decorations are a big deal, Contreras said taste is what people will remember. “All (the soldiers) will remember is if they had a good meal or a bad meal,” he said. Master Sgt. Clinton Ellis, chief food operations sergeant for the Roosevelt, said they strive to create a “home away from home” atmosphere. “To me it’s about taking care of the soldiers and providing an outstanding meal,” he said. “It’s not Momma’s cooking, but we try to get as close to that as we can and show we care about them.” But there’s another aspect to preparing an extravagant Thanksgiving feast that fuels cooks during those long, overnight hours — a post-wide competition. The winner is awarded a trophy from the III Corps commanding general, who then has lunch in that facility. “It’s a fierce competition,” said Jason Hicks, senior food advisor for III Corps and Fort Hood. “It’s a good opportunity for the soldiers to showcase their skills not only to the III Corps commander, but all commanders ... It’s a time-out for the command to come out and say hey, ‘This is what your soldiers are doing for single soldiers and family members to inspire esprit de corps.’” Last year, the Freeman Cafe, which serves 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command, took home to top prize. The Roosevelt had just reopened after a yearlong deployment last Thanksgiving, but this year, they are ready to compete. “Everybody really, really wants to win,” Contreras said. “I really want them to FORT HOOD, Texas - Pfc. Nikki Dixon, 8th Forward Support Company, 8th Engineer win, but as long as they create a really Division, help prepare to carve pumpkins while preparing for the Thanksgiving feast, good product, it’s a win no matter what.”
Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade and Pfc. Jahleah Savage, 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Monday, November 19, 2012 at Fort Hood.(Photo by Catrina Rawson, Killeen Daily Herald)
HHC “Wolfpack”
2-227 AV
November has been another busy month in Wolfpack land! Our primary focus this month was ensuring Aerial Gunnery was a success. Having the Wolfpack as the driving force for the entire Battalion, Aerial Gunnery was a smashing success. The S3 shop conducted all the planning and coordination for this massive event. The S3 shop also maintained Mission Command for the two weeks of Aerial Gunnery. Lobos S6 shop coordinated with 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion to support our operation with network assets. Without the dedication of the S6 shop, communication and connectivity vital to the success of Aerial Gunnery would have been impossible. In the beginning of November Eloisa Cox was promoted from First Lieutenant to Captain. Congrats to CPT Cox with the well deserved recognition, she has and will continue to do great things for the Lobos. With Aerial Gunnery now in the past the Wolfpack is looking forward to taking a much needed break with Thanksgiving and Christmas. Christmas Break is a time for relation and family time for the Wolfpack family. All of our Soldiers are extremely looking forward to making up for Christmas’s missed in the past and to making amazing memories for the future. Happy Holidays from the Wolfpack!
Bravo Company “Black Cats”
With the change in season this autumn also comes a change of pace for Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion of the 227 Aviation Brigade. As our aircraft trickle in from reset, we are
seeing a vast array of unique missions being handed down to the unit. Missions ranging from assisting ground units with training to public relation missions. We have supplied multiple support missions to units conducting sling load certification courses to include flying for the first time on Fort Hood a M777A2. Even though these missions are extremely important and necessary to better develop our army as a whole, the public has no idea of what we do for them. That is why we take pride in accepting missions that we can get public interaction with our aircraft and its devoted team. On the First of November CW2 Torrey Callum, CW2 Kenneth Lynch, SSG Octaviano Aguila Jr. and SPC Cody Walker flew to El Dorado, Arkansas for a static display for Hermitage School’s 8th grade career orientation class. The crew enjoyed the idea of this mission so much that they coordinated with the school so the students could get a field trip to the airport allowing them to have a day to see what we do and have a sufficient time to ask questions. Another public relation mission that the “Black Cats” participated in was providing Chinook support for the filming of Peter Berg’s Lone Survivor staring Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch and Eric Bana. The crews for this mission consisted of CPT Michael Moyer, CW4 Kenneth Gunter, CW3 Christopher Ryan, CW2 Jason Skelton, SSG Jason Engel, SSG Octaviano Aguila Jr., SSG Jean Munoz, SSG Johnathan Smithers, SPC Christopher Botero, SPC Travis Peters. They flew 2 aircraft to New Mexico where the filming is taking place, and while there not only did they get to meet some of the cast, but they were also providing support for 7 scenes. Now we wait anxiously to see what the rest of fall and beginning of winter has in store for us.
VN REGT Charlie Company “Witchdoctors”
It’s been another busy month for the Witchdoctors. The light at the end of the reset tunnel is growing larger. The Witchdoctors have also had numerous Air Mission Requests this month, which has aided in training for crewmembers and showed some of our sister units at Ft Hood just what MEDEVAC can do for them. The Trunk-or-Treat festivities marked a great ending to October, and so a three-day week with Thanksgiving marks a great ending to November. The Witchdoctors hope that everyone enjoys the upcoming festivities safely, surrounded by the warm company of friends, family and tradition. If you’re driving, it goes without saying to drive safe, get plenty of rest beforehand and check the weather. If you’re flying be mindful of OPSEC and your surroundings. Finally, there might be some Soldiers who haven’t made any plans to do anything. If you are able, invite them over and include them in your plans. The Witchdoctors would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let us be thankful for who and what we have. God Bless and see you in 2013! DUSTOFF!!!
Delta Company “Outlaws” November has been quite a busy month for the Outlaws of D Co 2-227, filled with accomplishments both on and off duty. The Outlaws sent several soldiers to New Mexico to provide aircraft maintenance support during the production of the Motion Picture The Lone Survivor.
Our soldiers returned from their “Hollywood experience”, and got the opportunity to act as extras (Navy Seals) in the movie and we look forward to seeing them on the big screen. The Outlaws are very proud of SPC Bowman who graduated the Air Assault Course on October 26th, representing the Lobo Battalion at the highest level. The Air Assault Course is often referred to as “the 10 toughest days in the Army,” and consists of ground to air communications, sling loads operations, repelling and concludes with a grueling 12 mile road march. SGT Bishop, SPC Wheeler, and PFC Telles also received slots for the course and will be attending the course on the 29th of November. The Outlaws are confident that they will not only succeed, but also establish a tradition of excellence in the course. The outlaws would like to congratulate 2LT Adrian Hill on his promotion to 1LT as well as several additional promotions within the company. SPCs Jason Bishop and Champion Agbogidi, made points and were promoted to Sergeant. SPC Michael Bain went to the E-5 promotion board, successfully attained a promotable status, and will be promoted next month. Outlaws are thrilled to welcome two young additions into the Outlaw family. SSG Pampell and his wife, Rehanon had a baby girl, Seda Evelyn-Marie, born Friday Nov 9th; and CPT Wallace and his wife Frankie had a baby boy, Nate, born, Sunday Nov 11th. Additionally, SGT Cundiff married Rebecca Saturday November 10th in Killeen, and they will be leaving on their honeymoon later this month. With Thanksgiving approaching many of our Ranks have opened their homes to their peers, and every Soldier will have somewhere available to enjoy the Holiday.
2-227 A
AVN REGT
Echo Company “Renegades”
2-227 AV
Standing tall and strong the Echo Company, “Renegades”, 2-227th AVN Regt., push through another month of accomplishments. Making sure missions happen in a good timing manor, this month we have “RENEGADES” everywhere. 17 Renegades participated in the presidential election by voting in local county polls. Also, Echo company RESET team transported 12 vehicles to C4IR reset yard, and then picked up three vehicles. Echo company “RENEGADES” have conducted TA-50 layouts within the company. Half of the Company participated in field support for the Aerial Gunnery. Their missions consisted of fueling aircraft, serving good hot meals, setting up COMSEC, and maintaining the Battalion’s ground equipment. Meanwhile the rest of the “RENEGADES” were still making sure missions happen back at the company. Echo Company Headquarters Platoon “RENEGADE – MOTIVATERS” have been making sure soldiers are taken care of, whether it’s being fed at the DEFAC, getting supplies they need from supply, or getting paperwork completed by the orderly room. Making missions happen is what “MOTIVATERS” do best. “MOTIVATERS” continue to support Theodore Roosevelt DFAC by providing seven Soldiers (92G) and two cooks attached to 615th ASB in the support of BDE Aerial Gunnery performing field feeding operations at FARP W. The cooks are capable of feeding 800 Soldiers through field operations utilizing the CK (Containerized Kitchen). The highly motivated headquarters platoon Sergeant, SSG Pryor, is currently enrolled in the senior leadership (SLC) course at Fort
Lee, to better her leadership skills. This is a really busy month for the Echo Company Distro Platoon “RENEGADE – HOLD WHAT YOU GOT,” with the Brigade Aerial Gunnery, pumping out gallons and gallons of fuel. Distro Platoon continues to provide cold fuel support to our Battalion; simultaneously Distro has issued 12,350 gallons and received 17,608 gallons in one week this month. Echo’s Distro Platoon is prepared to provide Rapid Fuel Support to TF LOBOS during Brigade Aerial Gunnery at FARPW. Distro has conducted equipment inventories, staged ground and stored all aerial gunnery equipment. Battalion RESET OIC (1LT Davis) completed medical RESET and remained engaged with the Battalion’s C4ISR reset inductions, currently 70% complete. Distro Platoon is capable of providing 11 fuel teams for day/night cold fuel ops and has 17,750 gallons of fuel on hand and with a capability of holding 42,300 gallons of fuel by utilizing 18 fuel trucks. Distro’s Platoon Sergeant, SSG Lynn, has been attending the one day DTMS leaders course also, SSG Rivers, renewing his fuel handlers license at the Fuel Handlers course strengthening his warrior skills. One of Distro’s motivated NCOs, SSG Washington, recently completed the TC-AIMS II course. “HOLD WHAT YOU GOT!!” Maintaining the best and fixing the rest, has Echo Company Maintance Platoon “RENEGADE – HIT’EM WITH A WRENCH”, moving and getting things done. Echo Company’s Motor Pool conducted command maintenance, continuing to provide services on vehicles and also to ground maintenance support to our subordinates units. Motor Pool has conducted SSA runs where they pick up and return parts, also turned in recon with a 100%. Echo company maintenance Tech updated this week’s man hours, scrubbed 5988-E and parts received not installed, completed five
VN REGT services HQ10E, HQ40E, HQ32E, F1T, F2T and completed T/I for heaters. Echo Company Maintance is capable of providing two recovery assets including HEMTT and LMTV Wreckers, plus two forward repair teams with their contact trucks. Maintenance’s leadership team attended man hours training conducted by the COMET Team. Echo Company Maintenance Platoon has SPC Wiggins currently attending WLC; two outstanding NCOs have completed classes as well SGT Martinez completed UME class; and SSG Wagner completed Pegasus/CLS class. The Echo Company Motor Pool has rearranged maintenance platoon and assigned new team leader. “HIT’EM WITH A WRENCH!!” Echo Company Renegades continues to stand strong and tall while completing every mission. Renegades continue to grow with new incoming soldiers, and won’t stop being the best at doing the right thing day and night. We are ready for the Holidays and would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Holiday this Year.
Foxtrot Company “Ravens”
F Co. 2-227th has been hard at work, generating combat power, accomplishing missions, building cohesion between the unit and its families, and promoting Espri de Corp amongst its ranks. This past month F CO took to the field ISO 1ACB Gunnery in order to streamline traffic in and out of FARP West. In five short days they successfully conducted over 100 incident free air movements in and around FARP West. After a short Thanksgiving break F CO will again take to the field, occupying North Fort Hood Tower, the Ravens will provide mission essential support
to 1st BN IOT support the Attack CALFEX. Meanwhile, back on Fort Hood proper, the Ravens continue to generate combat power by augmenting Hood Army Airfield Tower personnel with Ravens controllers. Currently the Ravens have four personnel assigned to HAAF Tower, two personnel operating Robert Grey GCA and Hood radio and one 94D augmenting maintenance operations; all working to earn their Control Tower Operator (CTO) card. The Ravens would like to congratulate SSG Vanessa Smith on earning her recent promotion to Staff Sergeant effective 1 November, and SPC(P) Nicklaus Moore and SGT Brandi Neece on their re-enlistments. Their efforts have played an instrumental role in mission success for the Ravens. SPC Reuben Heule and SPC Alexander Vargas earned the Volunteer Service Award for contributing over 100 volunteer hours ISO of restoring the TX Capital building located in Austin TX. The Ravens FRG has been especially busy this month with the planning of family festivities in light of the Holiday Season quickly approaching. The Ravens “Gobble till you Wobble” was a huge success, bringing together the families and soldiers for a feast that will not soon be forgotten. With December just around the corner the Ravens FRG is extremely excited to host its holiday party loaded with treats and sweets of all kinds. It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog, and this dog is ready! As missions continue to roll in the Ravens continue to stand ready to deploy in support of the BDE where ever they may be called to control traffic. As preparations continue, the Ravens are gearing up IOT support 1-227th as they take to the battle field of Fort Irwin CA at the National Training Center this January. With the completion of gunnery the Ravens TAC Team is ready and waiting to do their part to ensure the safety of the 1ACB pilots as they fly their missions ISO of 3rd BCT 1CD . Ravens in Control!
E S S AY S F R O M S O L D I E R S , B Y S O L D I E R S
THE WARRIOR VOICE Helicopter Gunnery Story by 1LT Adrian S. Hill, D Co 2-227 AVN Preparing for wartime missions in the Aviation community involves training in Aerial Gunnery. Every step of the way into making the aircrew a combat proficient aircrew must be vigilantly planned, forcefully executed and meticulously assessed. The helicopter gunnery program begins with individual qualification on an aircraft weapon system and develops through crew qualification to unit collective training events. Aerial Gunnery training for 1st Air Cavalry Brigade took place in the month of November in order to get crews ready for their CTC cycle in January. Apaches, Blackhawks and Chinooks will all be forward deployed to Fort Irwin, CA with the intention to prepare for deployment. This essay with briefly describe what is entailed in helicopter gunnery first we will take a look at attack helicopter gunnery and then utility and cargo helicopters. Table I and II in Apache gunnery are utilized for initial weapon qualification. Table III and IV are the prequalification training and commander’s assessment of newly assigned crew members. These tables can be used to refresh qualified aviators or to evaluate unit trainers. Table V is an evaluation of the crew’s
gunnery skills and knowledge prior to live-fire gunnery. Table VI is the calibration and verification table. The aircraft must meet Table VI standards prior to it being used on the range. Table VII is a training table and Table VIII is the qualification table. In order to qualify, Apache aircrews must successfully hit 7 of the 10 engagements on Table VIII. Each engagement is worth 100 points therefore 700 points is the minimum score an aircrew needs to qualify. Additionally crews must have at least one eligible engagement on each evaluated weapon system. Apaches must make at least one engagement on all of the following weapons systems: cannon, rocket and Hellfire missiles. The ratings for qualification are: Distinguished -- 900-1000 points, Superior -- 800-899, Qualified – 700-799 and Unqualified – 699 or less. If a crew has to reshoot Table VIII, their next table is called Q2 (qualification on second attempt) if they still do not qualify their second attempt the commander must decide whether or not they try again. Blackhawk and Chinook door gunners’ primary focus is to ensure the safety of the crew and the heli-
copter. They must be able to engage targets from a variety of flight profiles. Crew coordination between pilots and door gunners is extremely important. Their primary weapon is the M60D machine gun. Utility and cargo door gunnery tables are slightly different to that of the Attack helicopter tables. Tables I through IV are the initial ground qualification on the M60. Qualifying Soldiers on the ground is to fill confidence in the door gunner. Table V is the Door Gunnery Skills Training and Test table. The Soldier will learn the correct skills to execute door gunnery duties. Table VI is the initial aircraft live-fire table. This table has 5 day tasking, including one NBC task. Table VII is a day/night practice table and includes 8 tasks. Table VIII is the qualification table of door gunnery. For a door gunner to be qualified 5 out the 8 task must be successful and they must score at least 350 points. Aerial Gunnery is a crucial skill in Army Aviation. Each individual airframe has slightly different set of tasks and standards. Without the proper training Army Aviators would not be combat efficient crews.
1st Cav aviators
s bring ‘Hellfire’ Story by Sgt. Nathan Booth, 4th Public Affairs Detachment , and photos by Sgt. Eric J. Glassey, 4th PAD
Soldiers from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division began their first field exercise since returning from a deployment to Afghanistan, Nov. 5-7. The gunnery table, designed to test the equipment and skills of pilot crews, will run through January, testing the entire brigade’s capabilities. “Gunnery is essentially a walk training phase where cews go out and run the aircraft through its phases,” Capt. Gregory Sievers, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st ACB, said. “It’s all very scripted – pop-up targets on a range in a controlled environment. They’re being tested on a very specific skill set.” The amount of planning required from support elements, however, makes this exercise for more than just the gunship crews. “There’s a lot of coordination going on behind the scenes,” Sievers said. “Everything from fuel trucks, maintenance support and food, it’s really a good exercise to make sure the support systems and the lines of communication are set between the different units.” For the pilots, the exercise also builds experience and preserves expertise. “For the seasoned crew, it’s to maintain their skills,” Sievers said. “For the newer pilots it’ll be familiarization
of aerial gunnery. The new guy will be in the front, pulling the trigger. The guy in the back will be talking him through it and advise them. By the time they shoot two tables, they are comfortable.” Sgt. James Swearengin, a crew chief assigned to 2-227 Avn. Regt., 1st ACB, said the largest benefit to the crew is familiarization with weapon systems. “The more you fly together, the more you work better together and the more you trust each other,” Swearengin said. “Once they’ve seen you fly a few times, they learn that you know what you’re doing.” According to Swearengin, these types of field exercises allow the brigade to hone its processes for future engagements. “It gives the entire brigade an idea of where everybody stands when it comes down to a potential mission set before a deployment or whatever the case may be,” he said. Sievers said the gunnery range has gone swimmingly so far. “The coordination between all of the battalions in the brigade has been really good,” Sievers said. “It’s definitely been a collective effort to make it happen. It’s not just on one unit. It’s on the Air Cav as a whole.”
FORT HOOD, Texas - AH-64D Longbow aviators with 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, fire 30mm rounds at targets at Browns Creek Multipurpose Range, at Fort Hood Nov. 6. This training is a refresher and qualification range for the aviators. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric J. Glassey, 4th Public Affairs Detachment)
FORT HOOD, Texas – AH-64D Longbow aviators with 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, fire M274 Point Detonating Practice Rockets at targets at Browns Creek Multipurpose Range, at Fort hood Nov. 6. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric J. Glassey, 4th Public Affairs Detachment)
3-227 spearhead
The largest organized training this battalion has experienced since return from the deployment took place this past month. Helicopters flying in and out throughout two days picking up and dropping off groups of Soldiers to partake in a personnel recovery range where they began seated in a helicopter where they had “taken fire” and now needed to abandon the aircraft and reach a secure location where they could be picked up by an evacuation helicopter. Troops in groups of what would be a normal load up for flight, 2 pilots, 2 crew members and 2 passengers; were sent on a trek through the woods in full battle rattle evading the enemy, maintaining 360 security and following what little directions
they were given. A moderator to grade the group on the crew’s ability to evacuate and evade the enemy in a combat-like setting followed all groups. Incorporating the use of the rifles all crewmembers the midpoint for the trek through the woods was a range with targets that would go down automatically after they were hit a certain amount of times. The personnel recovery range was a great follow up for the ranges 3rd battalion did last month, qualifying the vast majority of the battalion on their M9s, M16s, M4s, M240s and M249s. Upon completion of the personnel recovery range the battalion picked right back up with an aerial gunnery range.
Out with the old and in with the new seems to be the direction not only the Army on a grand scale is experiencing right now but all the lower levels as well. We began by bringing in our new battalion commander, LTC Vine, and our new battalion command sergeant major, CSM Schley. A few months later we replaced the Delta Company Commander from CPT Lachner to CPT Maciuba. We most recently replaced our Headquarters & Headquarters Company Commander, saying goodbye to
CPT Hildebrand and inviting CPT Guidry in with open arms. We look forward to new and amazing improvements from Headquarters & Headquarters Company.
E S S AY S F R O M S O L D I E R S , B Y S O L D I E R S
THE WARRIOR VOICE Female Soldiers in combat; one female Soldier’s Prospective Story by SPC Nicole Krampitz, 3/227th AHB 1ACB 1CD When I was in basic training I asked my drill sergeant what his opinion on female soldiers in direct combat was and he told me something that I will never forget. “America is not ready to see their daughters come home in body bags in the numbers they would be if females are allowed to be in direct combat.” I neither agree nor disagree on whether or not females should be allowed in direct combat (i.e. Infantry, Special Operations, etc.). I do, however, believe that if select females believe they can be an infantryman and serve on the front lines with our infantryman than they need to pass the same requirements that the men do, unlike the Army wide PT test. If a woman believes she is no different than she should not be treated any different. No “handicaps” should be authorized. As women are prone to certain hygiene related infections (Urinary Tract Infections, Yeast Infections and bacterial infections) cer-
tain circumstances that men are faced with when they are on the front lines that prevent them from showering or getting the amount of time that they need to hygienically care for themselves would not bode well with females. It would cost the Army more than it would save to allow female Soldiers to put themselves in the position to acquire these medical problems than it has cost the Army to just keep female Soldiers from being in direct combat situations. Testing on the same levels as men that currently serve on the front lines should be mandatory. Same sit-up requirements, same push-up requirements and same run requirements, if a woman cannot handle the same circumstances that a man can handle she should not be permitted to do the same job the man does in direct combat. When you are in a direct combat situation you need to be able to run with all of your gear on just as fast as everyone else, if you
are slow you will end up dead or costing the lives of other Soldiers. If a Soldier is shot and needs to be removed from danger and the female Soldier serving beside him cannot physically handle removing him from danger that will cost the life of that Soldier and quite possibly the female Soldier attempting to remove him. Real combat is not Call of Duty, there are no do-over’s or retries and you don’t get shot to death and stand back up just to play again. If female Soldiers so strongly believe they need to be a part of direct combat and they need to be on the front lines than they need to be able to take care of themselves in the same way that every other Soldier serving on the front lines takes care of himself. If a female Soldier cannot handle the circumstances surrounding her at any given moment in combat she will cost other Soldiers their lives and end up costing her own life.
4-227th ARB “Guns” Guns Attack, October and the beginning of November proved to be a great time for theGuns Attack Battalion and the 1ACB! Not only did we show our unit pride in supporting our fabulous Family Readiness Group, but we conducted critical training at Fort Rucker (Dunker Training) as well as here at Fort Hood. It takes engaged leaders to successfully and safely accomplish our training plans, build esprit-de-corps, and ensure we negotiate this period of transition—Soldiers and Families PCSing and ETSing. Periods of Transition are typically the most tumultuous and dangerous for our Soldiers. Even though we will see numerous Soldiers and Families leave the Guns Attack Team from now through the beginning of February as well as a few new faces coming in. I know we will accomplish all of our training requirements while taking care of Soldiers, always! We will continue to take extra care addressing risks during these periods of transition. For Halloween this year, Guns Attack put on a wonderful Trunk-o-Treat and Haunted Hangar for our Families. I am very proud of every company for making this an event to remember! Julia and I know our kids had a great time and Delta Company’s haunted hangar (coordinated by Mrs. Niki McCoubrey) did not disappoint! We were all amazed at the level of effort put into the vehicle decorations as well as the time spent making the haunted hangar spooky enough to scare some of the adults. Thanks again to our FRG volunteers for dedicating their time! On November 1st, COL Mendenhall held the inaugural 1ACB Officer and Warrant Officer of the Quarter Board. LT’s Arrington and Goodwin along with CW2 Hughes represented themselves and the Guns Attack Battalion with distinction. All three gave tremendous effort in preparing and standing before the board members while answering questions about 1st CAV’s history, Safety, Family programs, and Doctrine.
As we approach Thanksgiving and the Holiday period, let us all remember those who are serving in harms’ way and let us be grateful for what we are blessed with. As I close, I want to remind everyone that we anticipate our 4-227th ARB Holiday Formal “Resilient Together” on 13 DEC from 1800-2200 in the Club Hood Ball Room to be a great success. We will show our Guns Attack pride while enjoying a wonderful meal, music, and poignant words from our guest speaker, MG Ierardi. As always, it is an honor to serve as the 4-227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion “Guns Attack” commander. As always, take an active role in making the Army and this unit better every day! “GUNS ATTACK!”
4-227th ARB “Guns” Season’s Greetings and Happy Holidays to 1 ACB from everyone in 4-227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion “Guns Attack”! Over the past few months, any soldier in our battalion can tell you that the operational tempo of the battalion has steadily increased. The Guns Attack Team supported the brigade aerial gunnery, provided aircraft and crews in support of the filming of Lone Survivor, conducted a COMEX, continued to prepare for the TOCEX, supported a Medal of Honor recipient’s funeral with three aircraft, and continued to prepare for our gunnery exercise in January. This large amount of effort is preparing our battalion for deployment this summer. However, the holidays are upon us and will provide everyone a great opportunity for some much needed rest and relaxation. Take this upcoming break to spend time with your Family and friends, reduce stress, and enjoy the Holidays! As everyone already knows, the 4-227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion Ball is coming up on 13 December. This is extremely pertinent because the theme of the ball is “Resilient Together”. Stress levels are high during normal operations, and for some, the holiday season only makes this stress increase even further. To overcome this, we need to stay true to our theme, and help our brothers and sisters throughout our battalion with any issues they may be experiencing. This will strengthen our unit as a team and help to overcome adversity while supporting one another to complete our mission. Take the time and identify your brethren in arms who have nowhere to go during the holiday season, invite them over for dinner one night.
Remember, this is the season of giving; it never hurts to help another Soldier out. Stay safe and Happy Holidays! Guns Attack!
1LT Andrew Knisely, 4-227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion “Guns Attack”
615th ASB “coldsteel”
Highlanders
operation to provide a hot lunch in support of GEN (Ret) McKiernan’s This month Highlanders had the visit. great honor of promoting SFC OsWith minimal time to react, our born to MSG. Our heartfelt con- cooks prepared a delicious meal, gratulations go out to him, his wife transported it to the airfield where daisy, and his children for this sig- they loaded it into a 3-227th Blacknificant achievement. hawk, and flew it out to FARP West, A highlight for this month was the where an E/2-227th HMMWV met brigade-wide coordination and co- us to transport the meal to the feed-
ing tent. After the meal was served, everything was packed up neatly, and F/2-227th assisted in recovering our Soldiers back to Fort Hood. All told, I could not have been more impressed by all the Soldiers involved and their eagerness to accomplish the mission and assist their fellow Warriors.
615th ASB “coldsteel” HSC HSC also held an FRG fundraiser where they sold 8$ briskets plates with support from across the Battalion they sold over 600 dollars worth of plates which will greatly support the Highlander’s Family Readiness Group. SGT Cave and his father were both recognized for the numerous times they have volunteered their time and talent at HSC functions. Automatics The operational tempo of Alpha Company began to increase this month as work for several major training events overlapped. Operations in support of the Brigade Gunnery exercise came to a close, ending responsibilities that included ammunition transportation and storage and keeping the helicopter refuel site in constant supply of aviation-grade fuel. In addition the Automatics also
began planning training events focused on water purification mission, drivers training, and retail fuel support. This training will give the soldiers an opportunity to get out of the office for a couple of days, and spend some time seriously concentrating on some of our critical core missions. These types of training events help our Soldiers prepare for their own upcoming training, as well as helping to ensure that Alpha Company maintains a strong reputation of competence and professionalism throughout the Brigade and higher. MG Ierardi visited ACO to take a look at the SSA as well as the motor pool and to interact with Soldiers. MG Ierardi reviewed the capabilities of the SSA including its mobility and storage areas focusing on our ability to maintain the BDE in a multitude of settings. The Soldiers in the SSA were proud to showcase the improvements they have made to the footprint as well as the enormous amount of effort they
have put in to turning in items left behind by previous owning units. The transportation truck squad displayed their abilities to move 20’ containers around the installation with the enhanced container handling unit. They demonstrated how the equipment is effectively used and how it is a combat multiplier for the BDE. Finally MG Ierardi stopped by the company motor pool to talk with the “water dogs” at the laid out tactical water purification system. The NCOs and Soldiers discussed their experiences producing water in Afghanistan as well as upcoming training here at Fort Hood to integrate the new Soldiers to the unit. The Soldiers of ACO showed off the tremendous effort they have put into their work spaces over the last several months since redeployment and were incredibly proud to display all their hard work to Pegasus 6.
615th ASB “coldsteel”
Blade Slingers This month Bravo Company sent AH-64D Repairers (15R’s), AH-64D System Repairers (15Y’s), and other MOS’, both experienced and new Soldiers, to support Brigade Gunnery Operations. Bladeslinger Soldiers, such as PV2 Taylor, PFC May, and SPC Garcia, rearmed and repaired aircraft on the FARP to ensure all AH’s participating in Brigade Gunnery operations were armed and ready for the range. Additionally, Bladeslingers conducted less glamorous, but just as important duties working gate guard and fireguard on the range. Bladeslinger Soldiers conducted both day and night operations to cycle AH’s through Gunnery Tables VI, VII day and night, and VIII day and night, earning the thanks and praise of supported Soldiers. This is another Crusaders Gunnery Support The Crusader highlight this month was the retransmission site in TA 51 in support of the Aerial Gunnery. 1LT Sheppard and SSG Vega ensured all the company’s retransmission teams were rotated through the site several times, ensuring every operator was proficient in retransmission operations. The range extension platoon has done an excellent job in maintaining communications between the various operational sites and ensured connectivity by conducting hourly radio checks.
example of how Bladeslinger Soldiers understand and vigorously work to ensure that the Warriors of 1st ACB fully understand that Bladeslingers will do everything they can to support them and make mission. Bravo Company also increased morale by kicking off the day with a costume competition fun run! There were many varieties of them from super heroes to spooky skeletons. At the end of PT, five of the best dressed soldiers were awarded with a day off for the effort they had put into their costumes! Events like this not only boost morale for soldiers on the day of the the event, but make the soldiers stand up in the face of opposition with cheerfulness, confidence, and enthusiastic diligence. event, but make the soldiers stand up in the face of opposition with cheerfulness, confidence, and enthusiastic diligence
dOCTER’S ORDERS Maj. Massimo Federico, MD Brigade Surgeon, 1ACB
Unfortunately, for active people, neck and back pain are common complaints. We, as human beings, have some inherent design flaws – our lower backs were not intended for us to be upright – so pain in these areas is not going to disappear anytime soon. The overwhelming majority of people who experience back and neck pain will find relief over time without significant treatment or therapy. Some of us, however, will either experience chronic pain or some regular recurrences of this pain. When you acutely injure your neck or back, 9 times out of 10 you will be diagnosed with a cervical or lumbar sprain/strain. With typical injury patterns – lifting an object, turning your head quickly – there are no tests or radiographic studies (i.e., x-rays, CT scans, MRIs) that are necessary. It is very rare that a broken bone is the source of someone’s back or neck pain. If prolonged pain is present (consistently for more than 6 weeks), then some type of imaging may be in order. Initial treatment will likely consist of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen, and acetaminophen, along with rest from vigorous activity. Keep in mind that laying in bed when your back hurts USED to be considered a mainstay of treatment, but more recently has been shown to WORSEN pain and lengthen the time it takes to feel better. Slow-paced walking every few hours during the acute phase of your pain will provide you with more relief than no activity at all. Nothing has proven to work as well as TIME, which is certainly no comfort when you can’t bend to tie your shoes. Once the acute phase of your injury is over, physical therapy, either on your own or with a physical therapist, are the mainstay of treatment and prevention of further acute episodes. Care in using proper technique lifting heavy objects, using slow movement when bending or turning your neck, and other “common sense” ideas are always appropriate in helping keep your neck and back pain at bay. What about chiropractic care? Considered a form of complementary and alternative medicine (interventions
that are not taught widely at US medical schools or generally available at US hospitals), chiropractic care has become a routine part of care offered by military medical treatment facilities. While a relatively new option in the military medical system (the first chiropractic services offered in the military were in 1995, and only expanded to most large military treatment facilities in the past decade), chiropractics may provide some relief to those not finding it via conventional medical treatment. Chiropractors believe bones can get subtly out of line and cause muscle spasms or nerve irritation, leading to pain. While this theory is not embraced by conventional medicine, some relatively recent research has demonstrated that chiropractic manipulation does work for some things. For short-term back pain, some studies have shown that it can be as effective as or more effective than conventional treatment. For long-term back pain, chiropractics can be as good but not better than other treatments like physical therapy and exercise. Chiropractic manipulation for neck pain has been found to help ONLY when combined with exercise. Be aware - chiropractic neck adjustments do present a rare risk of stroke! If back or neck pain send you to the doctor, consider discussing chiropractic treatment. I recommend chiropractic adjustments for some patients with low back pain, particularly if the pain is at the sacro-illiac joint (where the hip and back join together). If a patient’s neck pain isn’t responding to conventional therapies, I will offer chiropractics as an option - but always discuss the risk of stroke with neck adjustments. Lastly – I tell patients with back and neck pain to stand up straight (like your mother told you to), get out of your chair often when working at a computer (or put your computer at counter height and stay standing), and bend at the knees when lifting – prevention is definitely the best cure when it comes to neck and back pain! (Parts of this article were based on an article written by ANDREA E. GORDON, M.D.)
I am an American Soldier. I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself. I am an expert and I am a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American Soldier.