STORM Issue FOUR
WATCH APRIL 2018
449th Contributors Capt. Briana McFarland (PAO)
Staff Sgt. Leticia Samuels (NCOIC)
Sgt. Andrew Shipley (UPAR)
Sgt. Devin Fleming (UPAR)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Iraqi hospital receives donation, training The 449th CAB surgeon Col. Terrence Smith, along with the help of the Brigade medical section and Vanderbilt University, donates medical books to the Iraqi army hospital
The Clemson walk for veterans This year marks the fourth “Walk for Veteran’s event at Clemson University, which was founded by 1st Lieutenant Austin McIlwain
Th
248th ASB family members serving together Family members assigned to the Iowa Army National Guard’ss 248th Aviation Support Battalion have been afforded the unique opportunity to serve together. @NC449CAB
The eyes in the sky: Company B, 229 UAS
http://www.flickr.com/ photos/449tab
Company B, 229th Aviation Regiment “Flying Tigers” is the sixth Gray Eagle Company in the Army and an example of a trailblazer since its recent inception in 2014.
Creating awareness one ribbon at a time Page 2
Two U.S. Army leaders came together to create awareness by using Teal Week during the month of April, which is known as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
age 4
Circling the Runway
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CUTTING NO CORNERS
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Iraqi hospital receives donations, training Story by Capt. Briana McFarland
Camp Taji, Iraq, March 24. Smith is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University and donated the medical books with the help of other Vanderbilt staff in order to help the Iraqi medical team to continue their education as well as provide health services. “This will help us a lot”, said the Iraqi army aviation clinic director.
The donation comes weeks before a scheduled 10 -day Aeromedical Evacuation Training Course where U.S. TAJI MILITARY COMPLEX, Army National Guard Iraq –The 449th Combat Aviation Brigade surgeon Col. Terrence Smith, along with the help of the Brigade medical section and Vanderbilt University, donates medical books to the Iraqi army hospital staff at
Aeromedical Physician Assistant Capt. Jonathan Campbell will conduct a trainthe-trainer medical course.
“We’re hoping this course will increase the baseline knowledge and capabilities of the Iraqi flight medics while they provide patient transport,” said Campbell. “Our main focus is to ensure they will be self-sustaining and can conduct future classes on their own.” Camp Taji is one of five Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve building partner capacity locations dedicated to training partner forces and enhancing their effectiveness on the battlefield.
“This is a new level of humanity”
-Iraqi Clinic Director
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The Clemson Tigers
honor.” which is a historic landmark across from the football stadium.”
The scroll of honor is a memorial for all the Clemson Tigers that didn’t return home or passed away from wartime Since its founding, the Clemson injuries. Veteran’s Scholarship Endowment has In order for the event to become a raised more than $70,000 and Bossard said he hopes he can make the event success, McIlwain needed buy-in from bigger and better each year. the school administration, board mem-
Walk for Veterans Story by Capt. Briana McFarland
CAMP TAJI MILITARY COMPLEX, Iraq – This year marks the fourth annual “Walk for Veterans” event, which is organized through the Military Affairs Committee at Clemson University in order to raise money for the Clemson Student Veterans Endowment.
was a need there, so I started the Walk for Veterans.”
The first event occurred in April 2015 with more than 120 participants, raising $14,000 for the endowment. Although the first event was a success, it came with many difficulties to include getting buy-in from different The walk, which took more than stakeholders. eight months to plan, was originated There were multiple 5 kilometer by, now, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Austin McIl- races on campus, but there weren’t wain, assigned to the 449th Combat any walks. This challenged McIlwain Aviation Brigade, during his senior to plan the appropriate length and year at Clemson University. route for the event ensuring that his “I heard about the endowment from a friend of mine in the Reserved Officers’ Cadet Training program named Stephen Smallwood,” said McIlwain. “He was very involved in the Clemson Student Veterans Club and developed a fall fundraiser for the endowment. However, I saw there was nothing planned for the spring. There
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opportunity to reflect on Clemson’s founding as a military university and the number of Tigers that have served our great nation.”
event was inclusive to all people. “Clemson is historically a military school, so I wanted to use certain military heritage landmarks on campus,” said McIlwain. “The route was .8 miles and went from the president’s house to the “scroll of honor,” which is a historic landmark across from the football stadium.”
bers and sponsors. The mission of the event was three-fold, to honor veterans, raise money for the endowment and raise awareness of Clemson’s military heritage.
“We have partnered with the local community organiza“There was a need there, so I tions to continue growing the walk,” said Bossard. “This year started the Walk we have partnered with: the Clemson Calhoun Rotary Club, for Veterans.” Military Officers Association of -1LT Austin McIlwain America, Purple Heart Homes, “It’s amazing that the Upstate Warriors Solution, [Walk for Veterans] still exClemson Undergraduate Stuists today,” said McIlwain. “I dent Government and the Student Veterthink the reason why the event is still around is due to the creation of the Mili- ans Association to make this an unfortary Affairs Committee. Without the sup- gettable event. We hope that in the future, we can partner with even more miliport of the ROTC commander, student body president and student senate, the tary affiliated organizations in this initiacommittee and the walk would have nev- tive.” er happened. I have had the privilege of working with the past three military affairs directors, and they have done a terrific job making the event better each year.”
Bossard and McIlwain said they agreed that it is important to keep the walk going in order to honor those who served in the armed forces, especially those that atThe current Clemson Undergradu- tended Clemson University. The Walk for ate Student Government Military Affairs Veterans allows people from different agDirector, Karl Bossard, agrees that the es and backgrounds to come together walk has had a positive influence on the physically to support a great cause. school and is much needed. “The annual walk for Veterans brings together the Clemson family with participants of all ages and backgrounds,” said Bossard. “It’s a special
“The walk is a special Clemson tradition we hope will continue for many years to come,”
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Lukas Thoren, an intelligence officer assigned to Headquarters Support Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion added his thoughts serving next to his father.
248th ASB family serving together across CENTCOM Story by Sgt. Andrew Shipley
“The fact we are deployed together is something I never imagined.” CW4 David Thoren CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Parents, siblings, spouses, children and several Soldiers assigned to the Iowa Army National Guard’s 248th Aviation Support Battalion have been afforded the unique opportunity to serve together during an overseas deployment in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield in the U.S. Army Central Command area of responsibility.
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Thoren, an aviation safety officer assigned to B Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion, 449th Combat Aviation Brigade reflected on his experience.
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“It is surreal to see Lukas in uniform, saluting him as an officer and yet giving him advice as a senior warrant officer would to a young lieutenant,” David replied. “The fact we are deployed together is something I never imagined. Words cannot describe my pride standing next to him serving our country.”
serving next to her husband. and sometimes it’s non“Having the opportunity existent, but usually we just of serving together has given use Facebook Messenger us the capability to fully un- daily.”
derstand the sacrifices we have to make in order to serve,” said Heidi. “It’s com“I always joke that it’s a forting to know my spouse good father and son experi- understands what a service ence or something along the member goes through.” lines of a long camping trip, trip,” Other family members said Lukas. “In all seriousness, I take pride in knowing I am able to serve alongside my father, and it’s an experience we will be able to tell my daughter about as she grows up. up.” CENTCOM’s area of responsibility operates in various locations and some of the 248th family member ber’s serve in the same location. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joel Miller, a petroleum supply sergeant assigned to A Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion mentioned the benefits of having his spouse at the same location.
serving together don’t have the luxury of serving at the same location, however with ever-evolving technology, communication across the region has become easier.
“It is nice to see her smiling face each day, day,” said “About once a week, Joel. “I think being here with we find time to sit down and my wife has made this expe- face time each other,” said rience easier. easier.” U.S. Army Spc. Taylor Tolan, Joel’s wife, U.S. Army whose husband, Austin, is Sgt. Heidi Miller, an automat- located at another CENTCOM location. “His phone ed logistics specialist also assigned to A Company re- service varies quite frequently. Sometimes it’s very good capped her thoughts on
In addition to technology, being a married Soldier also carries its’ advantages while serving on an overseas deployment. U.S. Army Sgt. Benjamin Fisher, an aircraft electrician assigned to B Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion highlighted some of the perks. “We are very grateful to be able to live together,” said Benjamin. “It makes communication back home so much easier. We rely on our family members to take care of our responsibilities back home. I think they were more excited than we were when they found out we can live together.” Benjamin’s wife, Sgt. Nina Fisher, a supply sergeant assigned to Headquarters Support Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion added comments regarding the benefits of living together. “Being able to have a day off together is very helpful,” said Nina. “We work different shifts, so it’s nice to have a reset day to enjoy together as well as communicating back
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Company B is currently deployed in the Southeast Asia region utilizing the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft Systems that conducts reconnaissance and attack operations enabling U.S., Coalition and partner nations to defeat and destroy ISIS in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. “We enable the ground force commander to have freedom of maneuver and provide the ability to seek and destroy hostile forces,” said U.S. Army Company B, 229th Avn. Regt. Commander Capt. Trenton Conyers. “This company provided essential support in the final drive to push ISIS forces out of Iraq.”
ABOVE
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The Eyes in the Sky: Company B, 229 UAS Supports OIR Story by Staff Sgt. Leticia Samuels (U.S. Army) Photos by Spc. Devin Fleming (U.S. Army) TAJI MILITARY COMPLEX, Iraq – Units in the U.S. Army are always pushing the boundaries and accomplishing great feats. Company B, 229th Aviation Regiment “Flying Tigers” is the sixth Gray Eagle Company in the Army and an example of a trailblazer since its recent inception in 2014.
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Death from
Starting its path in 2014, the company has accomplished significant milestones along the way to include the selection by U.S. Army Forces Command to support the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division during the proof of concept for the Army’s Reconnaissance Surveillance Brigade and supporting numerous rotational units at the National Training Center. Supporting the 75th Ranger Regiment while at the NTC led to flying over 1000 hours in a 90-day period, shattering the record of most contiguous United States flights in one year performed by one unit.
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“We operated continuously in an austere environment,” said Conyers. “This gave everyone very realistic training and experience in conducting Gray Eagle operations in a harsh environment. The combined effort of the team, as well as 24-hour operations in support of NTC, led to this unit being more than prepared to conduct combat operations anywhere in the world.”
Deck Landing Qualifications
Company B, 229th Avn. Regt. is assigned to the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade but has a unique mission directly supporting the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve with their capabilities. To facilitate this support, Soldiers assigned to this unit have to be trained proficiently. “As an aircraft commander, I am responsible for the safety of the crew and flight of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS,” said Spc. Chloe Koehler, an unmanned aircraft systems operator. “Another responsibility of an AC is to be a first-line trainer for the units’ aircraft operators. As a unit trainer, I am also responsible for instructing newly assigned and integrated AO’s. I focus on training other crew members in specialized areas including local area orientation and gunnery training.” The company also provides direct support to the 28th Infantry Division in Kuwait. They are responsible for building relations with U.S partners in the North Arabian Gulf by fostering trust, faith and confidence in UAS operations while deterring aggression and threats within the region. “I focus on my Soldiers,” said Conyers. “I have been able to coach and mentor these operators in reconnaissance and attack fundamentals and urge them to develop holistic understanding. Being a theater asset has truly broadened my vision and outlook at the strategic level. It has helped me to better understand the over-arching strategy and intent, enabling me to continually push to lean-forward in the saddle.” Page 16
NORTH ARABIAN GULF, Kuwait – Soldiers assigned to the 1244th AHB and the 1-126th GSAB, land on the Arleigh Burkeclass guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) during their Deck Land Qualifications in the North Arabian Gulf April 1, 2018. DLQ training familiarizes Soldiers and Sailors with proper operations that can be used to transport cargo to remote locations over water. This training also strengthens interoperability operations between the U.S Army and the U.S Navy supporting the Operation Spartan Shield mission. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Leticia Samuels, 449th CAB)
The DLQ gives the unit the capability to launch an operation from shore to ship and provides M E D E VA C aircraft a place to land safely in case of emergency. Page 17
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Creating awareness one ribbon at a time Story by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Leticia Samuels Photos by U.S. Army Sgt. Leticia Samuels
TAJI MILITARY COMPLEX, Iraq —
when it comes to sexual assault and
Two U.S. Army leaders came together
harassment.
to create awareness by using Teal Week during the month of April, which
“I was about eight years old when I started to understand what my sisters
is known as Sexual Assault Awareness were experiencing,” said Lindsayshiland Prevention Month. lingford. “Five of my sisters are sexual U. S. Army 449th Combat Aviation assault victims.” Brigade Sexual Assault Response Co-
Lindsayshillingford said that carry-
ordinator Command Sgt. Maj. Carrie
ing that experience with her sisters led
Kwiatkowski and U.S. Army 5th Medi-
her to becoming a youth minister taking
cal Brigade Clinical Nurse Maj. Maxine care of battered women, which later Lindsay shillingford are both very pas- evolved into her becoming an Army sionate about their job and keeping
Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Ex-
Soldiers informed on do’s and don’ts
aminer (SAMFE) that directly facilitates
the management of survivors.
“Every single victim that I encounter, I treat them as if they are my family because I
Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program while keeping Soldiers actively engaged in the training environment. “If you have ever sat through one of my SHARP classes, you know that I am very passionate
recall my sisters, sisters,” said-
about this program, and I love to
Linsayshillingford.
people about what the program actual-
teach,” said Kwiatkowski. “Educating ly does and how Soldiers can show
Teal Week was a creative platform their support and hopefully have the used to spread awareness at Camp Ta- courage to step up and intervene when ji Military Complex, Iraq and Camp
they hear or see something…that’s all I
Buehring, Kuwait about the Sexual
need.” Page 21
Teal Week included various activities, such as: The Clothesline Project, which is a visual display of t-shirts with messages or illustrations designed by survivors of
The U.S. Army’s SHARP program’s mission is to reduce – with an aim toward eliminating – sexual harassment and assault within the Army family through robust prevention and training, direct leader engagement in support of the SHARP program, and consistent team coordination that can inspire trust in the SHARP response system.
“Start
by believing,” said Kwiatkowski. “Put your
violence and supporters of non-violence; movie night followed by a discus-
personal bias aside and support Soldiers that had the
sion board; and a five-kilometer “Light the Path” run and Bingo Night where
courage to come forward. If you see something, say
Soldiers were asked questions about procedures used when reporting sex-
something and if you don’t want to directly get in-
ual assaults and harassment.
volved, come see me, and I will be glad to help.”
“Part of what makes the SHARP program such a great resource for our Soldiers is the partnership that we have with all of the stakeholders,”
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 449th CAB participated in the base wide SHARP “Light the Path” five-kilometer run in support of Teal Week during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month April 21, 2018 at Camp Taji, Iraq.
said Kwiatkowski. “Making sure that the victim gets the best care possible is critical to their path of healing and when the SARC, SAMFE, SVC (Special Victims’ Counsel) all work together, it amplifies that support network for that Soldier. “U.S. Army Soldiers participated in the SHARP Bingo night in support of Teal Week during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month April 17, 2018 at Camp Taji, Iraq. “
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U.S. Army all participated in the basewide SHARP Bingo night in support of Teal Week during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month April 18, 2018 at Camp Taji, Iraq.
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
TEAL Week Soldiers attended TEAL Week at Camp Taji and Camp Buehriing in recognition of April being Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month (SAAPM) . Soldiers assigned to the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade participated in many events to include: Fight Night, SHARP Bingo, movie night, CHALK the WALK “Light the Path� 5K run to spread awareness while upholding the zero tolerance of sexual assault and harassment in the Armed Forces.
1 Straight Out of the Gym
Strength ******************** Physical Fitness ********************
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