STORM Issue Three
WATCH March 2018
Check out our feature on Spc. Kathleen Scanlon pg. 14
449th Contributors Capt. Briana McFarland (PAO) Staff Sgt. Leticia Samuels (NCOIC) Sgt. Andrew Shipley (UPAR)
@NC449TAB
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Black History Month commemorative flight pg. 10 An all African-American American flight crew assigned to A Co, 1-244th 244th AHB manned a UH-60 UH Black Hawk on a training mission commemorating Black History Month 10 Soldiers Graduate from BLC pg. 20 Ten Soldiers assigned to the 449th CAB, successfully completed this year’s year first cycle of Basic Leader Course (BLC) at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Mar. 8, 2018. The Jordanian Aviation Exchange The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) welcomed soldiers assigned to the CAB, to participate in a bi-lateral bi aviation exchange in Jordan, Feb. 21 to March 1. The Soldier doctor that diagnoses helicopters pg. 14
http://www.flickr.com/photos /449tab
This Ohio native is drawn to the intricate details that push the vessels of the sky but is also drawn to a much further force in her civilian career.
Army and Air Force Strengthen Coalition Forces pg. 22 Military forces to include: the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, New Zealand army, and the Australian army joined together with Iraqi security forces students to conduct a training exercise Page 2
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ach April, both military and civilian communities, show their resolve to eliminate sexual assault and sexual harassment. This April marks the 14th annual Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM), which spotlights the work of the Sexual Sgt. Maj. Carrie Kwiatkowski Harassment/Assault ReBrigade Sexual Assault sponse & Prevention Response Coordinator (SHARP) Program. (SARC) This campaign highlights our ongoing effort that we have year-round to prevent sexual assaults, sexual harassment, to encourage reporting and support for survivors. SAAPM is an opportunity to highlight our commitment to the SHARP Program and offers a collaboration of innovative ways to establish prevention practices.
The Army selected “SHARP: Shaping a Culture of Trust” as the 2018 campaign theme. The theme reflects the critical role that trust holds between Soldiers, Leaders and our SHARP representatives. We all need to do our part to foster a positive climate that encourages Soldiers to come forward without the fear of reprisal and retaliation and where they will be believed. We must continue to work together to eliminate sexual violence from within our ranks. The DoD selected “Protecting Our People, Protects Our Mission” as their 2018 campaign theme. The theme focuses on the fact that by working together, we can reduce the number of assaults and that there is zero tolerance of this crime and we must protect those who have volunteered to serve. This April there will be a variety of activities and special events across the theater that will provide us a great opportunity to promote awareness and prevention. So look for the calendars and we hope to see you out there.
SAAPM has become a great way of sending the awareness and prevention message as one voice across the organization. Page 4
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Circling the Runway
“I know Paul and Wilsie are proud”
“Congrats and best wishes to your family”
“Congrats...well deserved”
“Congrats Col. Bishop on a well deserved promotion”
Col. Joseph Bishop
“Congratulations and thank you for your ser-
“Wow...congratulations”
On behalf of the Soldiers of the 449th CAB, we would like to congratulate Col. Joseph W. Bishop on his promotion to Colonel, March 9, 2018.
Black History Month commemorative flight Story by Thomas Crough, U.S. Army Central
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – An
Force Voodoo”, 1st Assault Heli-
“It makes me feel really good to be that person, to open the door and kind of set the standard. It feels awesome,” added Edwards. “My favorite part of the job is interacting and working with the awesome company that we have. We have a great group of guys and it’s just really good to work with them and to be able to go out and showcase our talents and abilities.”
copter Battalion, 244th Aviation
Setting a positive example was a sentiment that resonated with the crew.
all African-American crew of Soldiers from Alpha Company, “Task
Regiment, Louisiana National Guard, manned a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter on a training mission commemorating Black History Month at Camp Buehring, UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter on a training mission commemorating Black History Month at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Feb. 27, 2018. “We just got into theater a couple of months ago and right now we are working on our tactical movement, our actions upon contact, and other evasive maneuvers in the event of contact with the enemy,” explained Chief Warrant Officer 3 Troy Willis, pilot in command, A Co. 1-244th AHB.
“We want to train, always be proficient in our tasks and duties. And it’s also Black History Month so we wanted to commemorate that…” said Staff Sgt. Jackie Edwards, crew chief, A Co. 1-244th AHB. “We actually flew with an all-Black crew; Capt. Washington, [Chief Warrant Officer 3] Willis, Sgt. Chambliss, and myself.” Edwards has been serving in the Louisiana National Guard for 17 years and is the first African-American female crew chief in the LANG. Page 10
“Sergeant Edwards … she’s awesome to work with … we came up through the ranks together, I was enlisted, so we knew each other prior to me commissioning as an officer. We are both E.O. [equal opportunity] officers, she’s fun to be around. Her professionalism and her work ethic is unmatched,” said Willis.
“Right now, African Americans make up less than 10 percent of the aviation community. So we thought this would be a good idea … to get our career fields out there so that others can see that they can do this also,” said Willis. “For young men and women who are interested in aviation, I would just say be committed. Ensure that this is something that you really want to do. It takes dedication, devotion, it’s very...strenuous, but once you accomplish it, it’s an awesome feat.” “I want them to know that you can be anything you want to be. You can accomplish anything that you set out to do,” Edwards said, referring to anyone who may look to her for inspiration. “… if you don’t see someone who looks like you in that role or that position, don’t be afraid. Push that mark, push the envelope, and be that first person to do it.” The mission served as a unique way to pay tribute and bring attention to the accomplishments of African Americans past, present and future. “Black History Month is important. I think it’s important for everyone to celebrate, not just African Americans ....,” said Willis. “It shows the capabilities and the camaraderie of where we’ve been and what we’ve overcome and where we came from. It shows there’s still growth and improvement going on in the world. There’s still a lot to do but we’ve come a long way.” Page 11
Rhode Island TAG Maj. Gen. Christopher Callahan visits 1-126th GSAB
The Soldier doctor that diagnoses helicopters
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Story and photos by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Leticia Samuels
torque wrench squeals as it secures the bolts of a forward support tube on-
to a UH-60 Black Hawk engine in a maintenance shop March 23. U.S. Army 1st Battalion,126th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation
Battalion) Aircraft Powerplant Repairer Spc. Kathleen Scanlon, works with her fellow Soldiers to troubleshoot and correct maintenance issues for Black Hawks and CH-47 Chinooks that provide the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade with aviation assets to support the ComThe skies have always been the driving force for this Soldier. This Ohio native is drawn to the intricate details that push the vessels of the sky but is also drawn to a much further force in her civilian career as well.
bined Joint Task Force—Operation Inherent Resolve mission.
This ability of troubleshooting two very different aircrafts contributes to just another day in the maintenance world for this Cleveland, Ohio native. Aircraft powerplant repairers supervise, inspect and perform maintenance on aircraft turbine engines and components ensuring airplanes and helicopters are safe and ready to fly. “
Scanlon explained that during the pursuit of her doctorate degree in geology at Brown University she came across awards of Army officers at the university that sparked her interest in aviation.
She also said that she runs computer simulations that analyze weather in Mars four billion years ago, uses satellite photos to map lava flow and hikes across Western Australia to look for the oldest evidence if life on Earth further strengthening her research for life on Mars. While Scanlon is quickly approaching her two-year mark in her military career she has already been a positive role model sparking curiosity out of her Soldier peers. “
She explains how her companions joke around by saying things like “Paging Dr. Scanlon” across the flight line, ask if she can build them a time machine to undo something their buddy just did, deciding that she must hero-worship Elon Musk, deciding that she must want to fistfight Elon Musk, or deciding that she is secretly Elon Musk. The Rhode Island National Guard is composed of the 56th Troop Command, 43rd Military Police Brigade, 143rd Airlift Wing, 281st Combat Communications Group, 102nd Information Warfare Squadron, Special Operations Detachment Global, and the RING Medical Command, that provide a broad range of military assets to the state.
To read the conclusion on SPC Scanlon, please visit https://www.dvidshub.net/news/271052/soldier-doctor-diagnoses-helicopters Page 15
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Soldiers assigned to the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade participate in St. Patrick’s Day 5K/8K runs at Camp Buehring, Al Asad and Camp Taji as a part of the morale, welfare and recreation program.
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Combat Patches, Promotions, Awards...Oh My!
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Soldiers from B Company, 248th Aviation Support Battalion, 449th Combat Aviation Brigade carry away a blade removed from a CH-47 47 Chinook at the Sea Port of Debarkation in Kuwait, Mar. 6, 2018. . Removing the blades from the aircraft is necessary to prepare the aircraft for movement back to the United States.
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10 Soldiers graduate from
BLC
Story by Sgt. Andrew Shipley
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Ten soldiers assigned to the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Spartan, successfully completed this year’s first cycle of Basic Leader Course at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 8, 2018.
Basic Leader Course is the first noncommissioned officer professional development system course, that presents soldiers with fundamental leadership skills to be successful at the next level. “There were things I learned about myself,” said Spc. Stephanie Rodriguez, a signal support systems specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 449th CAB. “I am stronger than my environment and I can depend on others.” Rodriguez finished in the top 20 percent of her class allowing her to graduate on the commandant’s list. Making the list distinguishes soldiers from their peers for exceeding the standard, which is helpful for promotion. Staff Sgt. Anthony Hutchins, a small group leader with U.S. Army Central Command’s Noncommissioned Officer Academy, mentioned some of the advantages soldiers have completing the course overseas. “This [course] allows the soldiers to not fall behind their peers back at home station when it comes to promotion,” said Hutchins. “Another advantage the soldiers have is that they are already here on site. Back home, soldiers may be coming off a deployment or getting ready to go. The soldiers here are already in that everyday combat mind frame.” The advantages of having BLC in theater do not come without difficulty for students and instructors alike.
“The main issue I experienced during class was speaking in front of people,” said Rodriguez. “The instructors were aware of this fear and they would have the entire class take deep breaths with me to calm down. It made speaking easier for me.” “The staff here comes from places all over the country,” said Hutchins. “There has been a way we have always done things back home, [and] there has been a way another small group leader has done things where they are from. So coming together and developing and refining our training plan to meet the expectations for our soldiers is ongoing and will get better with time.” The NCO Academy at Camp Buehring, Kuwait is currently conducting the second cycle of the year, which is scheduled to graduate April 5.
“There were things I learned about myself” -Spc. Rodriguez
Jordanian helicopters depart a forward operating base after inserting troops into the area during a training exercise. U.S. soldiers with the 248th Aviation Support Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment (Assault), Task Force Spartan monitored the Jordanian exercise that conducted infiltration, resupply and exfiltration operations in support of Operation Olive Grove. The event gave U.S. Soldiers an opportunity to see the standard operating procedures used by Jordanians when conducting such missions.
aviation brigade exchanges troops with Jordanian Air Force Story by Capt. Briana Story By Capt. Briana McFarland
The Jordan Aviation Exchange Soldiers with the 248th Aviation Support Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment (Assault) – units of the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Spartan – observed Jordanian Army soldiers as they prepared to rig and certify a load for sling-load operations in support of Operation Olive Grove. The operation is a Jordanian Army c training event that conducts infiltration, resupply and exfiltration operations.
TAJI MILITARY COMPLEX, Iraq — The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) welcomed soldiers assigned to the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), Task Force Spartan, to participate in a bilateral aviation exchange in Jordan, Feb. 21 to March 1. This exchange was one of many scheduled visits to Jordan for the 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment (Assault) and the
248th Aviation Support Battalion, both units with the 449th CAB. The purpose is to strengthen the partnership with RJAF members and further develop maintenance strategies, flight standardization best practices and operational scheme of maneuver for their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter program.
duct larger joint missions. Staff Sgt. Roger Cuevas, a quality control technician for Delta Company, 244th Assault Helicopter Battalion, was able to observe the RJAF maintenance program and speak with the chief engineer in the RJAF’s quality control shop about some of its challenges.
The long-term goal of the program is to increase U.S. Army and RJAF interoperability and to con-
“It was important for our unit to better understand
Jordanian forces transfer a simulated injured soldier from a Super Puma helicopter into a
ing eyes in the back of your head with a 360-degree field of view. It’s crucial when flying two or more aircraft that crew members keep a constant visual on the other aircraft(s) to ensure proper distance and avoid safety incidents.”
the situation the Jordanian UH-60 program was facing,” said Cuevas. “By personally meeting with the [8th and 30th Royal Wing Rotary] squadron, we were able to develop a relationship and compile information to better assist them with the needs and issues of their UH-60 program.”
ground ambulance during Operation Olive Grove Feb. 22, 2018. U.S. soldiers with the 248th Aviation Support Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment (Assault), Task Force Spartan, observed the Jordanian exercise that conducted infiltration, resupply, and exfiltration operations.
Leaders assigned to the 449th CAB were able to meet with Maj. Gen. Yousef-Al-Huneiti, the RJAF Commander, at the King Abdullah II Air Base in Jordan, to discuss the U.S. and Jordanian partnership goals and strategies. Some of the strategic objectives for the air force are border security, counterterrorism and civil defensive operations and the quick reaction force.
A key difference between the programs is that the RJAF UH-60 program does not use crew chiefs for night missions. Crew chiefs are responsible for everything that happens in a helicopter to include the crews and equipment.
The two U.S. Army battalions monitored the Jordanian army’s internal Jordanian Collective Training Exercise that conducted infiltration, resupply and exfiltration operations in support of Operation Olive Grove. This gave U.S. Soldiers the ability to see the standard A key task for the 449th CAB sol- operation procedures used when condiers was to instill the U.S. air crew cul- ducting missions. ture within the RJAF community to demonstrate the vital roles and respon“I had nothing but good vibes sibilities of crew chiefs in all air opera- from all of them,” said Cuevas. “They tions and crew coordination. treated us with the upmost respect.” “When you’re flying night missions under night vision goggles with just two pilots and no crew members, you’re scanning sector from the front is very limited,” said Cuevas. “By having crew members in the rear, it’s like havPage 25
ARMY AND AIR FORCE WORKING TO STRENGTHEN COALITION FORCES
STORY AND PHOTOS BY STAFF SGT. LETICIA SAMUELS
TAJI, Iraq — Rockets sliced through the air as AH-64E Apache Guardian pilots assigned to the 7th Battalion, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 449th Combat Aviation Brigade, destroyed the enemy during the Iraq Forward Air Control Course live-fire training exercise March 8, 2018 in Besmaya, Iraq.
The 370th Air Expeditionary advisor squadron facilitated the threemonth long course by mentoring and advising ISF students. They learned about CAS, which is air action by fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft against hostile targets that are near friendly forces. They also learned about CCA, which is an attack helicopter maneuvering and firing in direct support of a ground force that has “This capability will help ISF inte- come into direct contact with the enegrate Iraqi fixed wing and rotary wing my. assets into the ground scheme of maneuver which is a force multiplier on Military forces to include: the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, New Zealand army, and the Australian army joined together with Iraqi security forces students to conduct this training exercise as part of a three-month course tailored to conduct close air support techniques and close combat attack training.
A 1-244th AHB UH-60 Black Hawk Crew Chief Sgt. 1st Class James Mahan, scans his sectors of fire using a M240H machine gun en route to Besmaya, Iraq during the Iraq Forward Air Control Course live-fire training exercise March 8, 2018.
the battlefield,” said U.S. Army 449th CAB assistant future operations officer Maj. Warren Green. “Our goal is to help demonstrate the capacities of attack rotary wing assets and show the effectiveness of operating jointly with air and ground maneuver elements.”
These smaller exercises led to the culminating exercise where students were given a battlefield scenario and graded on successfully completing a five-line radio call that provides pertinent information for air assets to perform the CCA maneuver correctly destroying the enemy.
Officer 3 Jon Hunt said to meet their training objectives along with supporting the IFAC students training objectives, they incorporated procedures based off guidance in doctrinal aviation manuals used to coordinate fires. This helped mitigate the biggest obstacle associated with working with the host nation.
A U.S. Air Force battlefield air“The biggest challenge was enman explained that the students aren’t suring that both nations were talking required to learn English as part of the the same language and incorporating course. some of the same tactics that we would actual“When we ly use if we are working had to work with the Coalitogether in a tion, the stureal-live scedent will speak nario,” said Arabic through Hunt. “Also, a radio to an just trying to interpreter,” understand said the Airwhat they truman. ly meant based on “The interpreter what they relayed and ensuring that will then pass that information on to one of the instructors, whether that be target correlation was exactly the same from both our perspective and one of the Australian instructors or their perspective prior to us engaging one of us in the [U.S.] Air Force and then that instructor will pass that infor- the target.” mation to the pilot. It’s basically a way This combination of global forces for us to be able to allow the student reinforces the Combined Joint Task to control [aircrafts] in their native lan- Force-Operation Inherent Resolve’s guage without speaking or learning mission to help the host nations beEnglish to talk to the pilot.” come a self-sustaining force allowing The 7/17 CAV Alpha Troop standardization officer, Chief Warrant
relief of Coalition Forces.
“The biggest advantage gade in its overall mission supwas actually getting out porting CJTF-OIR. This there and validating type of training not only what we train when builds interoperability “This is important we are not using but enables ISF to Joint Tactical Air mirror similar stratein building partController and valigies and concepts nered capacity.” dating what we are used by the Armed -Maj. Warren training each other Forces. on from doctrinal Green manuals and Technical “This is important in and Tactics Procedure that building partnered capacity we have used in the past,” said and supports ISF stability operations Hunt. “The most important thing about through influence, messaging, menthis is that we’re engaging the enemy torship and partner development,” without creating any hazards or dan- said Green. “It also facilitates unity of gers toward friendly [forces] and sync- effort across Coalition Forces, Goving all those fires up in unison.” ernment of Iraq and ISF.” The 7/17 CAV provides attack reconnaissance support and other assets to the 449th Combat Aviation BriPage 26
Our Hearts, Our Family
Can you solve the Cryptogram? DEQ KEH’Y RQJY SQIA ZHYE YUZHXJ CJ NQIU CJ DEQ MEQSK SZAF YE YUZHA DEQ KE. DEQ GQZSK JYFO GD JYFO, MUFYUFP ZY ZJ LPZFHKJUZOJ EP EOOEPYQHZYZFJ.
And here is your hint: (answer on last page) I=C Page 31
HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY FROM YOUR 449TH CAB FAMILY!! You don’t just luck into things as much as you would like to think you do. You build step by step, whether it is friendships or opportunities.