Inside this issue: HHC 1-2 FSC 3- 4 42nd 5- 6 370th 7- 8 535th 9- 10 541st 11- 12 Chaplain’s Corner 13 HHC’s Wolfpack Howl HHC’s Wolfpack Howl HHC’s Wolfpack Howl July 2010 3rd Quarter Newsletter The Wolfpack family had a number of officers move up in rank this quarter. We would like to congratulate CPT Brandon Eliason, CPT Jacob Hohman, CPT Robert Etheridge, CPT Michael Frazier, CPT Nassar Jabour, CPT David Lukefahr, CPT Andrey Takhtovich and 1LT Agnes Kirkman-Bey. All great officers who have assumed a role of greater responsibility with the new rank. SPC Campbell develops a plan with his team on how to clear a building during MOUT Training. Page 1 Promotions HHC medics SPC McDonald and SPC Goodman evaluate SSG Fitzpatrick during the reflexive fire exercise 54th Engineer Battalion 54th Engineer Battalion 54th Engineer Battalion Greetings from Wolfpack 6 and 7, It has been another busy quarter for the Wolfpack Soldiers! This quarter kicked off with the Dagger Strike I exercise in which a lot of the HHC Soldiers, officers and NCOs were involved in support op- erations in order to qualify squads of the line companies. This quarter also brought on Dagger Strike II in which the company deployed to the Grafenwoehr training area. In addition to the major battalion level exercises mentioned the company continued to focus their training in tasks within their military occupational specialties (MOS) as well as other Soldier skills during Sergeant’s Time Training. During this quarter, from April to June on some Thurs- days, the company continued to conduct company level Sergeant’s time training in which the Soldiers and NCOs got out of the office to conduct realistic training. The training was prepared, planned and executed by the company NCOs and included tasks such as movement to contact battle drills and dismounted patrol operations as well as Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) operations. During these movements and operations, Soldiers were challenged with different scenarios such as enemy contact, which tested their reaction skills and forced them to practice their com- munication skills and using a radio to call their higher headquarters for assistance with their wounded Sol- diers. The movement to contact drills allowed NCOs a chance to train their Soldiers how to properly execute certain movement techniques depending on the terrain. In the MOUT scenario, the Soldiers were taught how to properly clear a room in teams of four from point of entry to the building to clearing every room, treating casualties they took while clearing the rooms and medi- cally evacuating the casualties.
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
In closing, the Company will continue to work hard during the upcoming months on not just training, but also the reception and integration of family members moving over from the continental United States. The 42nd Clearance Company Family Readiness Group now has its own email account: [email protected]. We would like to welcome aboard Ms. Carolyn Devlin and Ms. Amanda Cavalari as leaders of the 42nd FRG.
Captain Mike Bradwick’s helocast shot during the 2010 U.S. Army
Best Sapper Competition. The 42nd Clearance Company plans to
send 10-20 deserving Soldiers to the Sapper Leader Course in the
fall, which includes this type of specialized training.
Company FRG BBQ (25 June 2010) at Pendle-
ton Field
Battalion Organization/Family Fun Day (02
July 2010) at the post Softball and Recrea-
tional Fields
FRG meeting at the post bowling alley (22
July 2010) at 1600
FRG Calendar
Hails
Dustin Bearden, Daniel Becerra, Justin Botticher, Richard Brown, Robert
Caldwell, Dannie Daniel, Michael Devlin, Richard Figueroa, Kalen Fisher,
Thomas Fountain, Catrell Godfrey, Benjamin Golgart, Cole Healer, Darrion
Hicks, Joel Hinkle, Cecil Ingle, Jonathon Inthirath, Shamal Lewis, Tigearnan
Lord, Wendell Mains, Joseph Martinez, Gerardo Montes, Jose Nieves, Hernan
Osorio, Joshua Robertson, Elias Ruiz, Scotty Sexton, Andre Tillman, Dominique
Vincent, John Wilkinson, Jamie Wilson, Jonathan Adams, Kevin Bailey, John
Carver, James Davis, Lindsey Felding, Matthew Foster, Elias Garza, Alejandro
Gonzalez, Anthony Guirguis, Edward Hagen, Kirk Haney, Neal Hendrickson,
Christopher Lashley, Sean Meyer, Vincent Moreno, Jason neal, Isaac Noble,
Joshua Owens, Anthony Quartararo, Kevon Riley, Obed Rivera, Derek
Robinson, Nicholas Rumery, Jeremy Saavedra, Christopher Shipman, Michael
Spitler, Joseph Teresi, Eric Terry, Lee Turner Jr., Kelulau Ucherkemur, Ezra
370th Apocalypse Now370th Apocalypse Now370th Apocalypse Now
Greetings to the friends, families, and Soldiers of the 370th Sapper Company.
Since we spoke last, we have encountered numerous significant events. One major event
was the decision in May to reorganize from three sapper platoons to two. This created
many challenges on top of the rigorous training the company would be expected to exe-
cute. Leaders and Soldiers had to learn to work with others they had never worked with
before and they had to learn fast. Despite the challenges we successfully competed with
two platoons instead of three! This will greatly improve the way we will operate when
deployed. We will be able to give Soldiers time off, and allow proper rest for injured Sol-
diers. For the month of May the battalion deployed to Grafenwoehr, Germany to certify
the platoons and ensure they are ready for the company validation in August. The two
highlights of the Grafenwoehr rotation that will be discussed are gunnery and validation
lanes.
The 370th Sapper Company spent five days con-
ducting various weapon ranges in the Grafen-
woehr training area during the recent field exer-
cise ―Dagger Strike II‖ qualifying on the major
weapons systems. One day was spent in the Ba-
varian rain at the hand grenade range where Sol-
diers practiced with Simunition-grenades on five
qualifying lanes before getting the chance to
throw two actual M67 grenades at the grenade
pit. The 370th spent four days at the crew served
weapons range firing both in daylight and at
night. Both platoons actually spent a night at the
range guarding the ammo and keeping it open in
order to facilitate the night-time gunnery. Sol-
diers slept in tracks, the warming shack, and the
guard tower. Approximately 18,000 rounds
of .50 caliber ammunition and 15,000 rounds of
7.62 ammunition for the M240B machine gun
were fired. The weapons fired on this range were
the M2 machine gun which fires a .50 caliber
round, the M240B firing a 7.62mm NATO round,
and the M249 SAW (Squad automatic rifle)
which fires the 5.56mm NATO round. The ma-
jority of the time was spent qualifying with the
M2 and M240B weapons systems, which were
mounted on top of M113 armored personnel car-
riers. In order to qualify, Soldiers had to effec-
tively engage targets as far away as 1000 meters
with both the M2 and M240B. The closest targets
were the 400 meter targets – still a considerable
distance. During this pop-up target phase of
qualification the Soldiers had approximately 175
rounds available to engage 9 pop-ups in 3 to 5
round bursts of fire. With such a demanding
load a few of the weapons systems broke down
under the strain and had to be sent to the armory
to be repaired.
370th Soldiers qualifying on the M2 .50
Cal. Machine Gun from the turret of an
370th Soldiers setting up M2 .50 Cal. Machine Gun firing positions for Battal-ion familiarization fire exercise.
P a g e 9
Upon completion of the weapons ranges
the 370th participated in Dagger Strike II, a battal-
ion level training exercise in Grafenwoehr, Ger-
many to certify the platoons. We conducted several
IED Lane iterations, a convoy live fire lane, a dis-
mounted live fire range, a MOUT exercise, a demo
range and multiple small arms weapons qualifica-
tion ranges. All of the lanes were designed by ex-
perience of veterans from Afghanistan to simulate
the conditions that we will most likely experience in
the upcoming deployment. The company came
together quickly and performed superbly at all the
tasks presented, and continues to build toward the
Mission Readiness Exercise in Hohenfels, Germany
in August.
ABOVE: Spc. Jeremy Argiro, begins the decontamination phase at
one of the combat testing lanes during Expert Field Medical Badge
testing June 10 at Baumholder Training Area.
Mommy and Me play date June 30th 1000
@ Friendship park.
Battalion Organizational Fun day July
2nd 0800 to 1630 @ Softball field.
Jailhouse fundraiser during garrison 4th
of July celebration July 4th 1900-2100 @
Pendleton field.
FRG Meeting July 7th 1800 @ The Regi-
mental room by the aid station.
Two 370th Soldiers qualifying on the hand grenade assault course
P a g e 1 0
FRG CalendarFRG CalendarFRG Calendar
RIGHT: 370th Soldiers practicing recovery operations on a pair of
M113s
From CPT Durbin:
Hello to the Soldiers and Families of the 535!
School is out, the sun is shining, and the Soldiers of 535 are as busy as ever.
As you may know, we are training hard to get ready to assume a new mission in sup-
port of Operation Enduring Freedom. Although we are still a Construction Company,
the Army has tasked us with supporting Route Clearance Operations. We are still
training on construction, but we are also doing Route Clearance tasks. Because we
are doing Route Clearance, we have collapsed the platoons and created two super
platoons. 1st Platoon is led by 1LT Puddicombe and SFC Speelman. 2nd Platoon is led
by 1LT Jung and SFC Rodriguez.
Of course, we have had several personnel moves. CPT Raisl has moved on
to work wonders in the S-3 shop. 1LT Hensley has taken over as the XO. SFC Carter
has taken over the Company Operations Section. SSG Marshall has moved to be a
Squad Leader in 1st Platoon. 2LT Harkess will be in charge of the Intelligence Sec-
tion.
Thank you to all the spouses and families for your support while we were in
the field. Strong support while we are away makes a huge difference. A special thank
you to the ladies who had delicious cupcakes waiting for us when we returned.
535th The Cutting Edge535th The Cutting Edge535th The Cutting Edge
Soldiers participating in the icebreaker at the June FRG Meeting.
1SGs Corner,
Hello all. My name is Martin Moore the new First Sergeant for 535. I’m coming from 3rd Sustainment Command
Expeditionary, Ft Knox, Kentucky. I’m originally from Elizabeth Town, Kentucky and this is my first time serving in
Europe. I’m really excited to be here in Bamberg and I heard this is the best post in Europe and from what I have seen the
rumors are right. Everyone here has been friendly and helpful while I have been getting settled in and the unit is moti-
vated.
I’ve been in the Army for over 21 years and I have had a lot of experience with Soldiers and their Families. I believe in strict
standards and hard training so everyone will come back from deployment. I am, however, approachable and anyone
wanting to talk about anything is welcome and my door is always open. I look forward to meeting all the families so I can
learn more about my new Soldiers. If you see me around please say hi.
FRG CalendarFRG CalendarFRG Calendar
July 2 – BN Organization
Day
July 3-16 – Block Leave
July 4 – Independence
Day Fundraiser
July 16 – Spouse Lunch
July 20 – FRG Meeting
end of July – August –
Training in Hohenfels
and Grafenwoehr
August 3 – FRG Meeting
September 14 – FRG
Meeting
P a g e 1 1
I have some things to talk about that
has happened since I have been here which I
think is worth mentioning. First I want to let
you know that PFC Kurtis Weaver, PFC Greg-
ory Mosser, and PFC Ruban Lopez have earned
the coveted Air Assault Badge from Air Assault
School known as the ―10 toughest day in the
Army‖. Also, PFC Gregory Mosser represented
the 54th Engineer Battalion at the Brigade Sol-
dier of the Quarter Board where he achieved
second place among the best Soldiers in the
brigade. Sergeant Pedro Barbosa won the Bat-
talion NCO of the Month Board and is prepar-
ing to win the NCO of the Quarter Board. Ser-
geant Kevin Reed completed the Warrior
Leader Course securing his place in the NCO
Crop. Finally PV2 James Hogan earned the
very hard to get Expert Field Medical Badge.
The achievement is very notable because less
than 20 percent of competitors earn this medi-
cal badge. The participants are evaluated on
over 20 medical tasks and cannot make any
mistakes and as a PV2 (with less than a year in
the Army) he is definitely setting the standard
for all his peers.
More events are yet to be planned for this quarter, so make sure you are on the FRG email list to receive our updates. (Email [email protected] to get on the list.)
FRG Section:
April, May, and June have passed
since the last newsletter. We did our best, and
hopefully succeeded, to have an eventful quar-
ter. We had social get-togethers, fundraisers,
and some combined family and Soldier activi-
ties. While the company was in the field for
three weeks in May, we started Playdates and
Spouse Walks. The Playdates were a hit, so
we’re trying to continue them once a month.
My favorite activity this quarter was
the Adventure Day Barbecue the beginning of
May. The Soldiers spent the morning golfing
or doing an urban land navigation course
downtown, then Soldiers and families met up
at the golf course for a barbecue. The weather
wasn’t the greatest, but it was enjoyable to
have free hamburgers and chat with other
people in 535th.
As always, we appreciate your sup-
port during fundraisers. Our last fundraiser
alone raised almost $200. This could not be
done without the amazing spouses who bake
and the hungry Soldiers who choose to buy
our food. We’re hoping to get a trip planned
with the money we’ve raised.
Jessica Holley laughs at an idea while trying to come up with things you can make with a coat hanger (icebreaker).
541st Outlaw Round up541st Outlaw Round up541st Outlaw Round up
P a g e 1 3
1st Platoon:
The second quarter of this year has been a busy one for 1st Platoon. We started the quarter
off with a strong performance in Dagger Strike I. Our two squads (SQD) went out and had
a couple of the best times on the X-Mile Ruck March. The Squad STX Lanes were no dif-
ferent, with SSG Jones and SGT Gire leading the way, both of 1st PLTs squads had excel-
lent scores throughout the exercise. In the end all of our Soldiers gained a better under-
standing of the engineer tasks that they need to know in order to be prepared for future
4th of July fundraiser
1215 to 1430 at Pendleton
Field.
Ladies Night July 17th
1630 to 2130—Dinner
and a movie!
FRG Meeting July 22nd
1800 @ YRR
FRG Meeting August
19th 1800 @ YRR
541st Soldiers participating in the X mile ruck march during Dagger Strike I
FRG CalendarFRG CalendarFRG Calendar
Once Dagger Strike I was over the platoon moved into services. Over a two week period our Soldiers worked with mainte-
nance personnel to find and fix deficiencies in all of the platoon’s equipment to include everything from our M113 to our
personal weapons. Next the platoon went to Grafenwoehr for Dagger Strike II, from 11 May 2010 to 27 May 2010. Through-
out those two and a half weeks 1st PLT ran through several route clearance missions, and for most of them without the
squad leader who were at Advanced Leader Course (ALC). So without the squad leaders, all the team leaders stepped up and
performed admirably in their place. CPL Joseph and CLP Webster both took control of 1st SQD while SPC Salt and SPC Tho-
mas took lead of 2nd SQD. All the team leaders quickly took control and performed above and beyond their positions all get-
ting AAMs for the effort they gave. Also while at Dagger Strike II 1st platoon went through some gunnery ranges. Several
Soldiers qualified expert on the M240B, M2, Mk19, and the M16/M4
Since 1st platoon’s returned from Dagger Strike II we have had many new faces in our formation. We would like to welcome
all those new Soldiers and their families to Bamberg and the 541st Sapper Company.
Also the Soldiers have all been busy going to and preparing for several classes including Drivers Training and R2C2, as well
as pulling QRF duties as the platoon moves into the third quarter we will continue to train hard and prepare ourselves for
our next deployment.
P a g e 1 4
3rd Platoon:
During the last several months, 3rd Platoon has
again put forth maximum effort into all of the
company’s training events and has come out
stronger and more prepared for deployment.
We would first like to welcome new Soldiers
and their families to our team - SGT Malone,
SSG (P) Alekseiunas (the new Platoon Ser-
geant), SPC Olivares, PV2 Burley, and PVT
Herbert. These new Soldiers will greatly aid
the Platoon for the train-up and deploy-
ment.3rd Platoon had two squads participate in
Dagger Strike I, which focused primarily on
squad cohesion, infantry tactics, and route
clearance. The 72-hour exercise tested the
mettle of every Soldier, as they were tested
both physically and mentally. Our squads took
1st and 3rd places on the X-Mile Ruck March
lane, arguably the most difficult of the entire
competition. Every Soldier came out of the
rotation more in tune with engineer tasks and
each squad discovered just how effective a
small unit can be when working and progress-
ing as a team.
Following Dagger Strike I, the
Platoon had a brief rest period before
Dagger Strike II began in early May. The
main goal of Dagger Strike II was to build
upon the skills and teamwork developed
during Dagger Strike I and use it in a Pla-
toon setting. The entire battalion de-
ployed to the Joint Multinational Readi-
ness Center at Grafenwoehr for approxi-
mately two and a half weeks. The battal-
ion rear-detachment functioned for the
first time, simulating a real deployment.
The Graf missions were intended to mir-
ror missions in Afghanistan, with realistic
reporting procedures, convoy briefings,
and debriefs following each mission.
Some of these missions focused on route
clearance and building clearance tactics,
two skills that the Platoon will need for
the upcoming deployment. We also par-
ticipated in a number of ranges and
honed our individual weapon skills.
Above: 541st qualifying on the M240B machine gun Below: 541st Outlaw
climbing giant ladder on the confidence course during Dagger strike I.
Overall, after spending weeks together in close proximity and learning each others’ strengths and weaknesses, 3rd Platoon came out
of Dagger Strike II as a much more effective unit.
We are looking forward to summer block leave so we can tour Europe and visit our families back in the US. We have another long
training event for most of August, so enjoy summer while it lasts!
P a g e 1 5
Sunday
Catholic Mass 0900 [Chapel] Lutheran 0900 [Family Life Center]
Protestant 1100 [Chapel] C.O.G.I.C 1245 [Chapel]
Free Gospel 1500 [Chapel]
Tuesday
Catholic Mass 1130 [Chapel] Catholic Congregation Night 1800
[Chapel]
Friday
Catholic Mass 1200 [Chapel]C.O.G.I.C. 2000 [Chapel]
When God said of Adam and Eve, ―The two shall become one flesh,‖ he was not speaking only of physical oneness. In marriage, all of life is to be shared, and communication is the vehicle by which we attain this kind of intimacy. If we don’t feel that oneness with our spouse maybe we aren’t communicating with them the way we ought to be. We cannot read each other’s minds. If your spouse is to know your thoughts, feelings, and desires, then you have to communicate them. A marriage without communication is like probing in a minefield...sooner or later something blows up. This communication is vital to married couples as well as those dating, join us in the upcoming couples and singles seminars in learning how to understand yourself and your loved one and communicate that love more effectively.
Sunday 0800 Catholic [High School] 1030 C.O.G.I.C. [High School] 1330 Free Gospel [Chapel] 1630 Protestant (AWANA) [Chapel and HS] Tuesday 0930 Catholic Women of the [Chapel] 1900 C.O.G.I.C. Bible Study [Chapel] Wednesday 0700 High School Bible Study (Breakfast Included) [Family Life Classroom] 0900 PWOC Protestant Women of the Chapel [Chapel] 0900 Spanish PWOC “The Power of a Positive Spouse” [Chapel Activity RM] 1500 Middle School Bible Study [Family Life Classroom] 1900 Protestant Bible Study [Chapel] Thursday 1130 Protestant Men of the Chapel (Free Lunch Provided) [Chapel] 1500 Middle School Club Beyond [JFK Gym] 1730 High School Club Beyond [JFK Gym] 1800 Protestant Men’s Bible Study [Chapel] 1900 Gospel Bible Study Friday (1830 Dinner) 1945 Christian Bible Study [Bamberg Hospitality House]
Religious Education
54th En Bn UMT
CH Robinson
PFC Vines
469-8467
469-8701
54th ENGINEER BATTALION Marriage Enrichment Seminar
Food, lodging , transportation and child care provided
Limited rooms available contact the
BN UMT to sign up
Worship
P a g e 1 6
FRSAFRSAFRSA
Hello!
I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is AJ Hashimoto. I am the Family Readiness Support Assistant (FRSA) for 54th Engineer Battal-ion. As the role of FRSA is relatively new to the Army, I’d like to take a moment to give a brief overview of how the FRSA can support the unit and the FRG:
The Family Readiness Support Assistant (FRSA) is a recently established position in the family readiness support structure. This position represents a new concept for the Army in Europe that is being met with high regard and appreciation.
Army leaders understand the importance of the FRG and how “taking care of families” affects mission readiness. When FRG leaders were asked what would make their job easier, the overwhelming response was more help. Because so many military spouses are working, recruiting volunteers to help FRG leaders is difficult. With the idea of “changing dynamics” in mind, the concept of a paid assistant position was created. The FRSA’s main duty is to provide the com-mander or RDC, the Family Readiness Liaison (FRL), and FRG leader with administrative assistance in support of family readiness programs and activities. FRSAs also work closely with community resource agencies to provide appropriate referrals for the commander, Rear Detachment Commander (RDC), FRL, FRG leader, and family members.
While the primary responsibility of FRSAs is to provide assistance to the commander or RDC and FRG leader, they are also available to help families and Soldiers within the scope of their position description. The FRSA should be thought of as an extension of the FRL and FRG leader. This position was not es-tablished to take over FRL or FRG leader responsibilities, but to provide assistance, information, referrals, and follow-up on all areas of family programs. FRSAs are to help develop and distribute unit newsletters, announcements, and flyers. FRSAs will also ensure telephone trees, e-mail trees, or both are estab-lished, kept up-to-date, and used so that family members can be contacted in a timely manner. The FRSA can help with completing volunteer forms and with family readiness planning and training, and serves as a POC for referrals to community agencies.
The FRSA position, when used properly, will strengthen the FRG.
I’m excited to be a part of the 54th Engineer Battalion Family and I enjoy immensely working with your FRGs. If you have any questions or would like to stop by, my office is located in the Soldier service center building. You can reach me via email at: [email protected] or telephone DSN 469-9311/Cell Phone 01622733288.
Check out our battalion facebook page, just search 54th-Engineer
-Battalion in the facebook search engine and become a fan!
Want to learn more about
USAG Bamberg and the Army?
Sign up for Army Family Team
building classes through the
ACS. Fun, informative classes
with free childcare! Call me to
find out more!
PEP—People encouraging people is a program pre-
sented by the Army Volunteer Coordinator at USAG Bamberg. It’s 5
days of fun, learning and the best part shopping. Free childcare is
provided and it’s a wonderful way to get acquainted with fellow
spouses and the USAG Bamberg community. For more information