Greeting Wolfpack! This edition of the Wolfpack Howler will be read from Hawaii to the far edges of the Pacific. In the last 30 days, we have had soldiers in Thailand, Guam, Palau and the Marshall Islands. And we are just getting started.! As always, I’d like to thank the soldiers and their families for supporting our mis- sions. 643 rd truly has global reach and a strategic im- pact. Our 1 st Platoon Roughnecks made that impact in Phitsanulok, Thailand. After five weeks of blistering heat and relentless mosquitoes, our troops completed a multipurpose building consisting of three classrooms. In the Army, there are many days you don’t see the impact of your actions right away. This was not one of those days. This structure will immediately improve the quality of life for 71 students and four teachers in Phitsanulok. You could see it in their smiles and their genuine gratitude for our soldiers hard work. Though they traveled far from home and left their own loved ones, the Roughnecks made lives better for those less fortunate. They worked alongside Thai and Sing engineers to make this project happen. Our Wolfpack soldiers returned safely several days ago and I am glad to have them back. It never fails to im- press me how a platoon of disciplined, motivated US Army engineers can accomplish so much under diffi- cult conditions, tough timelines and a secluded location. Well done! I’d also like to welcome 1SG Kenneth McKinney Jr and his lovely wife, Linnie. 1SG McKinney brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our formation. We are lucky to have him. At our FRG meetings, please take a moment to introduce yourself and your spouse the newest members of our team. Honor the Service This month we talked about President Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address”. Lincoln was dedicating the ceme- tery at the battlefield in memory of the sacrifice of more than 40,000 casualties the battle claimed. While this speech is famous for many reasons, the last few sentences remind the Wolfpack to honor the service of those who have gone before us: “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” From the Commander PROMOTIONS Congratulations to the following soldiers for being promoted: 1 MARCH 2013 Issue 2 Wolfpack Howler Inside this issue: 1ST PLATOON 3RD PLATOON 4TH PLATOON CAT PALAU MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS Happy Birthday to the following: SSG, Baptiste 4 Mar , SPC Benard 1 Mar, PV2 Coffin 11 Mar, SGT Cullin 29 Mar, SGT Edwards 31 Mar, SPC Guerra 26 Mar, SSG Hagar 6 Mar, SPC Hale 3 Mar, SPC Irby 7 Mar, SPC Jim 25 Mar, SSG Lanning 5 Mar, SPC Lira 16 Mar, SPC Murcia 17 Mar, SPC Perry 19 Mar, SPC Petty 17 Mar, SPC Quirindongo 14 Mar, PVT Romero 9 Mar, PFC Shiver 21 Mar, SGT Smith 16 Mar, SPC Tran 29 Mar, and SGT Williams. BIRTHDAYS 643rd Change of Responsibility
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.
Transcript
Greeting Wolfpack! This edition of the Wolfpack
Howler will be read from Hawaii to the far edges of
the Pacific. In the last 30 days, we have had soldiers in
Thailand, Guam, Palau and the Marshall Islands. And
we are just getting started.! As always, I’d like to thank
the soldiers and their families for supporting our mis-
sions. 643rd truly has global reach and a strategic im-
pact.
Our 1st Platoon Roughnecks made that impact in Phitsanulok, Thailand. After five weeks of blistering heat and relentless mosquitoes, our troops completed a multipurpose building consisting of three classrooms. In
the Army, there are many days you don’t see the impact of your actions right away. This was not one of
those days. This structure will immediately improve the quality of life for 71 students and four teachers in
Phitsanulok. You could see it in their smiles and their genuine gratitude for our soldiers hard work.
Though they traveled far from home and left their own loved ones, the Roughnecks made lives better for
those less fortunate. They worked alongside Thai and Sing engineers to make this project happen. Our
Wolfpack soldiers returned safely several days ago and I am glad to have them back. It never fails to im-
press me how a platoon of disciplined, motivated US Army engineers can accomplish so much under diffi-
cult conditions, tough timelines and a secluded location. Well done!
I’d also like to welcome 1SG Kenneth McKinney Jr and his lovely wife, Linnie. 1SG McKinney brings a
wealth of knowledge and experience to our formation. We are lucky to have him. At our FRG meetings,
please take a moment to introduce yourself and your spouse the newest members of our team.
Honor the Service This month we talked about President Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address”. Lincoln was dedicating the ceme-
tery at the battlefield in memory of the sacrifice of more than 40,000 casualties the battle claimed. While
this speech is famous for many reasons, the last few sentences remind the Wolfpack to honor the service
of those who have gone before us:
“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far
so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these
honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that
we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a birth of
freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
From the Commander
PROMOTIONS
Congratulations to the following
soldiers for being promoted:
1 MARCH 2013 Issue 2
Wolfpack Howler
Inside this
issue:
1ST PLATOON
3RD PLATOON
4TH PLATOON
CAT PALAU
MAINTENANCE
OPERATIONS
Happy Birthday to the following:
SSG, Baptiste 4 Mar , SPC Benard 1 Mar, PV2 Coffin 11 Mar,
SGT Cullin 29 Mar, SGT Edwards 31 Mar, SPC Guerra 26 Mar,
SSG Hagar 6 Mar, SPC Hale 3 Mar, SPC Irby 7 Mar, SPC Jim 25 Mar,
SSG Lanning 5 Mar, SPC Lira 16 Mar, SPC Murcia 17 Mar,
SPC Perry 19 Mar, SPC Petty 17 Mar, SPC Quirindongo 14 Mar,
PVT Romero 9 Mar, PFC Shiver 21 Mar, SGT Smith 16 Mar, SPC Tran 29 Mar,
and SGT Williams.
BIRTHDAYS
643rd Change of Responsibility
Page 2 Wolfpack Howler
1ST PLATOON Roughnecks
Roughnecks Return Home, train, prepare to redeploy After only thirty-two days in Thailand, the Roughnecks completed all construction activities for the Ban
Hua Wang Krang School kindergarten building on the 18th of February, 2012. Before celebrating, the platoon
packed its belongings, personal and professional, cleaned up the site and the building, and prepared for the dedi-
cation ceremony on the 21st of February. Prior to the dedication ceremony, the Roughnecks received their first break from construction and an
opportunity to enjoy some of the culture of Thailand. The first trip would be to the Wat Yai temple in the
heart of Phitsanulok. One of the most famous temples in Thailand, the Wat Yai boasts the most elegant Buddha
image in all of Thailand. After the temple the platoon traveled to a local Elephant sanctuary to pet, feed, and
ride some Thai elephants. Finally on 21 February the dedication day arrived, and a full cavalcade of visitors greeted the brand new
building. From the US Ambassador to Thailand to the Commanding General of US Army forces in Japan, every
VIP in attendance was impressed by the spectacle of the new building.
Only two days later, the Roughnecks redeployed and returned to Hawaii. After 42 days in Thailand the
Roughnecks are now ready for some short down-time before the head out to the Philippines to continue build-
ing alongside our partner nations overseas.
Roughnecks Build Community relations (COMREL) in Thailand
Though experts in construction, the Roughnecks do have a few other skills at hand.
During Cobra Gold 2013 we showed how much we cared about the local community
at every opportunity. Community relations was never far from the job for 1st Platoon.
There were many opportunites to bond and enjoy the company of the local commu-
nity, whether at the local flee market, or the karaoke party thrown by the village in
celebration for the school. But during Cobra Gold 2013 we had two great opportuni-
ties in particular that stood out. SPC Guardiola, upon noticing one of the school
children rode a bike with no tires, raised the money from within the Platoon to pre-
sent the child with a brand-new bike to go to school everyday on. And not long after,
several members of the Roughneck family were given the opportunity to visit the local
school for special needs children to join them in a two hour long dance session. Get-
ting their physical training in for the day. After the dancing, the Roughnecks were able
to enjoy lunch with the children prior to heading back to the project site. Though the
project itself would greatly benefit the community, the Roughnecks were proud to be
able to give every little bit they could to Phitsanulok, Thailand.
SOLDIER OF THE ISSUE: SPC Ethan Mustain
-Born February 12, 1983 in Olathe, Kansas, where he plans to return to after the
Army
-Learned Carpentry growing up, began framing houses when he was 16, spent eight
years in the Carpentry union before joining the Army
-Became a Carpentry & Masonry Specialist after graduating AIT in June of 2010
-From the 643rd EN CO, he has been sent to Thailand in support of Cobra Gold
2011 and to Guam to work in conjunction with Navy Seabees
SPC Guardiola presents a bike to a local
student during community engagement on
15 February.
Page 3 Issue 2
3RD PLATOON We Ready
Hello Wolfpack! February seemed to fly by as the “We Ready” Platoon continued to stay busy and
have an incredible impact on the Battalion and the Post. We spent time training on construction at the East
Range Air Assualt Course rappel tower, training physical and mental toughness on the South Range obstacle
course, and relentlessly preparing to deploy to the Marshall Islands in support of the Battalion’s mission in
Guam. With the end of April as the likely deployment date for the Platoon minus an advance element, we did
an exceptional job in reading ourselves to take off for the mission at the drop of a hat. The “We Ready” Pla-
toon cemented a successful February by continuing to avoid SIRs, displaying the type of maturity and discipline
that makes the Army proud. We even found some time to conduct a Change of Responsibility to say farewell
to 1SG Hector Medina and to welcome in 1SG Kenneth McKinney. And let’s not forget to congratulate
SPC Julio Murcia for winning the Soldier of the Month board!
March is shaping up to be a great month for training and for having a little fun on the job. We are
reinforcing Warrior Tasks and Skills training at the beginning of the month, spending a day at the M16 range
on the 6th, and training on Pre-Engineered Buildings from the 11th through the 28th. Even with all those re-
quirements we are still going to push PT hard this month in order to surpass the company goal of a 260 APFT
average. March is also filled with birthdays and anniversaries in the Platoon: SPC Daniel Hale turns 26 on
March 3rd, SPC Julio Murcia turns 27 on March 17th, and SGT Richard Johnson celebrates his 4th wedding
anniversary on March 4th. Congratulations to them and We Ready!
SOLDIER OF THE ISSUE: SPC Julio Murcia
Age: 26
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Favorite Sports Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Hobbies: Working out, playing soccer
Quote/Interesting fact: Dreams of one day competing on “Dancing
With the Stars.”
Page 4 Wolfpack Howler
4th PLATOON
Hafa Adai (the Guam equivalent of Aloha) 4th Platoon Followers! We have made our way to
Guam where in-processing, classes, physical training, project planning and a new Navy influenced style of
living has taken over our day to day activities. After having spent two weeks on ground, the Platoon can
finally say it has acclimated to the hotter, more humid climate here in Guam (although our drenched uni-
forms after PT may state otherwise). For projects, we have been given two assignments here in Guam in preparation for our mission in
Micronesia. First, SGT Bryan Boyd will be taking over as crew leader for a project on Camp Covington
that will consist of a 30’x 12’ concrete pour with a masonry wall rising 6 feet along its edge. It will be used
as a trash containment system for the Camp. Other crew leaders, including SGT Andrew Schmidt and
SGT Mathew Reese (a 4th PLT attachment), have been working hard to produce a project packet for a
larger effort up at Anderson Air Force Base on the northern part of the island. There, the Platoon has
been tasked to plan and construct three separate MOUT buildings for an air force training facility. Two of
the buildings are two stories and present a new challenge for the Soldiers. In addition to the planning going
on for the projects here on Guam, SSG Jeremy Lanning has been working hard with his team planning
the Malem Village project. SGT Wesley Snead has been doing the same with his team on the Kosrae
High School Gymnasium project. Later this week, our group of highly trained NCO’s will be participating
as judges in a JROTC competition with the University of Guam showing a commitment to the “Soldiers of
Tomorrow.” Additionally, Soldiers have begun preparation for the AIRDET mission which 4th platoon has
become a part of after being called upon to fill voids in the formation. Soldiers here are eager to begin their scuba certification and almost every night you can find mem-
bers of 4th Platoon working on their fitness at the Gym on camp. Both the Base Bowling Alley and Gab
Gab Beach have been favorite spots for Soldiers to visit on their Sundays off. In addition to leading troops
in the field, SFC Ramant Stewart has also been perfecting his skills in the kitchen where he prepared
and cooked a delicious pork entrée for all to enjoy. Congratulations to 1LT Robert Leedham for com-
ing in second at the Anderson Air Force base’s Golf scramble! Overall, the climate is tolerable, the food is
growing on us and the PT is PHENOMENAL!
-MOS: 12N
-Hometown: Deltona, Florida
-Hobbies: Surfing, Church Guitarist, Reading, Cooking
-Thoughts on Guam: Nice. The island is friendly. Looking forward
to the opportunity to explore the island more.
-Goals: Save money, start my own business, attend a trade school
and utilize my GI Bill.
SOLDIER OF THE ISSUE: SPC Noel Ruiz
Page 5 Issue 2
CAT PALAU
They’re called the Army CAT 84-01. Here in
Palau the CAT is widely known for the skills and assistance
it’s members provide. A CAT is a Civic Action Team, a
small group of Soldiers who deploy to a region to provide
technical engineering assistance, medical support and com-
munity outreach. The end goal of these tasks is to forge
relationships between U.S. service members and the host
nation community. Since its arrival, the team has taken on a
wide variety of missions and has seamlessly immersed itself
in the local culture.
A large part of the mission in Palau is the Commu-
nity Engineer Projects. Currently, the team is scheduled to
complete construction on the Fire/Police Station or Pre
Engineered Building (PEB) in the state of Ngardmau, install/
construct pull up bars, dip bars and sit up benches for the
Palau National Olympic Committee, grade roads for the
states of Melekeok and Aimeliik as well as to construct an