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Published in the Interest of the Personnel at Fort Hood, Texas
THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2010 09:24:26 AM |
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Despite the heat and humidity, Soldiers from the 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), teamed up with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment to prepare and move equipment and vehicles for the Brave Rifles’ upcoming deployment in support of Operation New Dawn. “We’ve been out here since day one,” Sgt. Michael Matusiak, with the 602nd Maintenance Company, 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, said. “We have been providing maintenance support, safety, traffic control, and anything else it takes to make sure these vehicles get on the trains,” he added. From July 7-21, several units from the 4th Sust. Bde. helped to move about 750 pieces of equipment from motor pools to the railhead, where the equipment will be taken to the Port of Beaumont for shipment to Iraq. ...» read more
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Division West streamlines aviator mobe processBirds of a feather from the Army National Guard´s aviation community flocked together July 20-22 at North Fort Hood for an Aviation Joint Assessment, an event previously held in Georgia. The change in location was facilitated by completion of the Longhorn Airstrip expansion, which contributed to Fort Hood becoming the premier mobilization training platform for most reserve component aviation assets.
Saber Soldier receives Purple HeartA former 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Soldier has been awarded the Purple Heart Medal for injuries he sustained in Diyala Province during a combat logistical convoy in the fall of 2007. On Sept. 4, 2007, former sergeant Juan Castro, a track mechanic with Troop D, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, was part of a convoy conducting a mission to provide logistical support for Soldiers stationed in a remote location of Diyala Province.
Area beautification leads Soldiers to build flower bedsSeveral transitional Soldiers attached to the Hood Mobilization Brigade recently got a chance to help other Soldiers and to show off their landscaping skills by building a border for a flower garden at the Texas Military Family Foundation. The Soldiers, members of the Texas National Guard´s 36th Sustainment Brigade, which recently returned from deployment, installed the border despite the heat July 22 and Friday. The project will allow other Soldiers, both active duty and reserve troops, to add to the garden during their transition time. The idea behind the flower garden project, according to TMFF Director Julie Curtis-Winn, is to provide a therapeutic activity for Soldiers in transition. Previous transition Soldiers had planted bushes and peach trees around the TMFF site, located in Bldg. 4200 at the corner of 78th Street and Santa Fe Avenue.
RSS FEEDAcross DoD
Troops must understand the ‘why’ of the fightWASHINGTON – With his tenure winding down as commander of U.S. Forces – Iraq, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno shared with reporters some of his lessons learned on asymmetric warfare and the U.S. military´s needs of the future. For counterinsurgency to work, military units must demonstrate their staying power to protect the local citizens, Odierno told reporters here July 21 during a Defense Writers Group breakfast meeting.
More U.S. bases close in Basra, transfer to Iraqi military continuesBASRA, Iraq – United States Division – South handed over several locations to the government of Iraq recently as the 1st Infantry Division Headquarters continues the drawdown of U.S. forces in southern Iraq. Since taking command of USD-S, the 1st Infantry Division has managed the turnover or closure of 10 bases. As the reduction of forces continues, 22 bases across southern Iraq will have been closed between Feb. 2 and Sept. 1, bringing the number of U.S. troops in Iraq to 50,000 and lowering the number of bases in the south to 33.
Army must identify ‘hidden redundancies’ in equipment portfoliosWASHINGTON – In order for the Army to meet budget goals set by the Department of Defense, it must review its equipment portfolios and identify systems that provide redundant capabilities. During a presentation at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, July 15, Army Vice Chief of Staff of Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli discussed how the Army will meet requirements set out by the DoD in the “Savings and Efficiencies Initiative.”
RSS FEEDLeisure
Austin Zoo, Animal Sanctuary: A walk on the wild side that’s close to homeAUSTIN – The Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary was my very first stop in exploring the central Texas region as the new leisure editor. As my navigation system directed me around Austin and then down quiet country roads, I wasn’t sure I had copied down the address correctly. And then out of nowhere, a small sign for the zoo appeared. I made another turn onto an even smaller, quieter, gravel road and I was there. The zoo is a pleasant surprise in the middle of farm country. As an animal lover, I was excited to find out that almost all of the animals in the exhibits were rescued. Before coming to the zoo, the animals were in circuses, laboratories or kept inappropriately as pets. The zoo does not purchase or sell any of the animals they have.
BOSS: August packed full of eventsIt’s Midnight Madness! We are throwing our second softball tournament of the year. If you remember our last tournament we had 48 teams battle it out for a chance to win $1,000 for their unit funds. This time, we have 36 teams that will compete for the title in a 24-hour, non-stop, action-packed tournament. We’ve had many requests for a softball tournament like this, so we’re making it happen. It’ll start on Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. and finish at 6 p.m. the following day. We’ll definitely have all kinds of fun. We do have a couple more slots open, so if you have a team that would like to play, give us a call as soon as possible. You can also mark your calendar and come out to support your units on their path to victory.
BOSS: Black Jack troops keeping it cool in poolThere’s no better way to beat the heat in Texas than with a splash in the pool, and there’s no better time to go to the pool than when you’re supposed to be working. During a Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers event July 16, single Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, traded in a work day for some fun in the sun at the Summer Fun Water Park in Belton.
RSS FEEDLiving
Remember the love, celebrate the life, share the journeyRuth Holler, Cindy Dietz and Angel and Nathan Guereca are distinctly different, but in many ways, they share a lifelong bond. They were among those who came to Fort Hood last weekend to celebrate life and share their journeys in grief. More than 200 adults and 100 children who have lost a servicemember gathered Friday and Saturday at Meadows Elementary School on Fort Hood for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Regional Seminar.
Free flying lessons for children of fallen
As a casualty assistance officer, Jack Howell saw the pain of losing a servicemember. “I’m dedicated to trying to do something for these kids,” he said. “The kids are often overlooked.”
As a casualty assistance officer, Jack Howell saw the pain of losing a servicemember. “I’m dedicated to trying to do something for these kids,” he said. “The kids are often overlooked.”
Gold Star mom turns grief to encouragement by writingWriting has always been an important part of Deb Tainsh’s life. She wrote poetry and kept journals over the years but when tragedy struck her family, writing turned into a way to cope and to help other people through some of the darkest hours of their lives. On Feb. 11, 2004, Sgt. Patrick Tainsh was killed in Iraq while stationed with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. While working through her grief, Deb picked up the pen again.
RSS FEEDSports
Spencer wins gold at U.S. National Boxing ChampionshipsCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Three Fort Hood based Soldiers won medals at the U.S. National Boxing Championships July 12-17. U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program boxer Spc. Jeffrey Spencer won a gold medal and teammates Sgt. John Franklin and Spc. Carrie Barry struck bronze. The Saturday night finals inside the ballroom of the Crown Plaza Hotel opened with a 10-count salute to the late George Steinbrenner for his support of the U.S. Olympic Committee and Team USA athletes. The mood quickly turned upbeat as Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” blared through the speakers, signaling that America’s best amateur boxers were ready to rumble.
Misfits jockey for second championship; defeat Elites 19-4 in Eastern League playPositioning the team for a possible second consecutive post championship softball title, the 120th Infantry Brigade “Misfits” knocked off the Company E, 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment “No. 1 Elites,” 19-4, during an Eastern League playoff game Monday at the Rodney J. Evans Softball Complex. The Misfits, winners of last year’s preseason tournament, league title and post championship games, ended the 2010 season with a perfect 18-0 record and remain undefeated in tournament play at 5-0.
Pro Golf Tip
Practice in the wind to cure hook or slice Practicing in a side wind will help you cure a hook or a slice. Practicing in a right-to-left wind will guard against a hook, while the opposite wind direction will help you fight a slice.
Practice in the wind to cure hook or slice Practicing in a side wind will help you cure a hook or a slice. Practicing in a right-to-left wind will guard against a hook, while the opposite wind direction will help you fight a slice.
Combat is a necessary part of our lives in the Army. Few of Fort Hood´s Soldiers have not been affected by it during eight years of combat deployments. We´re trained to inflict harm and do violence on the enemy in defense of our country. However, we´re also taught restraint and how to properly apply controlled measures of violence only when necessary.
2 Minute Briefs
‘National Night Out’ set
Fort Hood is hosting a “National Night Out” event 6-10 p.m. Tuesday at two locations on the installation.
On-post activities for the nationwide event encouraging neighbors to band together will be held on the east side of the installation at the Bronco Youth Center and on the west side at Smith Middle School.
“The focus of the event is two-fold,” said Sgt. Andrew Samarripa, the National Night Out coordinator with Fort Hood’s Directorate of Emergency Services, “To create a sense of community by coming together in a united front to take a stand against crime, and to energize our Neighborhood Watch Programs.”
McGruff the crime dog and the Drug Abuse Awareness Program mascot Darren the Lion will make appearances at both locations. Entertainment will be provided.
Bronco Youth Center will host a tae kwon do demonstration, a talent show sponsored by Fort Hood’s Child, Youth and School Services, and a military working dog demonstration.
At Smith Middle School, the SkiesUnlimited program will sponsor a fashion show and hip-hop dancing. The Family Advocacy Program will conduct child safety seat inspections.
Residents of Fort Hood housing areas are encouraged to attend.
“(It’s) neighbors networking with other neighbors, creating a sense of camaraderie so we can take care of our community as a whole,” Samarripa said.
For more information about the event, call 287-4752 or contact your village community manager’s office.
Locked out? Contact your unit
The Barracks Management, First Sergeants Barracks Program can no longer provide room lockout services.
FSBP also is unable to continue providing after-hours in-processing of Soldiers who need barracks billeting.
Both of these services will become unit responsibilities effective Sunday. For assistance, Soldiers must report to their brigade staff duty officer or staff duty noncommissioned officer.
Soldiers in separate units which do not fall under a brigade must request assistance from their unit SDO, SDNCO or charge-of-quarters staff.
For more information, call Ken Fyffe at 287-4884.
Volunteers sought
The Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center is seeking volunteers to provide hospitality to patients and family members in the hospital.
The ministry is looking for volunteers willing to offer a listening ear, provide a comforting presence to patients, sit with them, read to them, and give information about hospital and community resources.
People interested in helping out should contact Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Potter at 288-8848 to schedule an interview about becoming a part of this caring and supportive team.
Fort Hood is hosting a “National Night Out” event 6-10 p.m. Tuesday at two locations on the installation.
On-post activities for the nationwide event encouraging neighbors to band together will be held on the east side of the installation at the Bronco Youth Center and on the west side at Smith Middle School.
“The focus of the event is two-fold,” said Sgt. Andrew Samarripa, the National Night Out coordinator with Fort Hood’s Directorate of Emergency Services, “To create a sense of community by coming together in a united front to take a stand against crime, and to energize our Neighborhood Watch Programs.”
McGruff the crime dog and the Drug Abuse Awareness Program mascot Darren the Lion will make appearances at both locations. Entertainment will be provided.
Bronco Youth Center will host a tae kwon do demonstration, a talent show sponsored by Fort Hood’s Child, Youth and School Services, and a military working dog demonstration.
At Smith Middle School, the SkiesUnlimited program will sponsor a fashion show and hip-hop dancing. The Family Advocacy Program will conduct child safety seat inspections.
Residents of Fort Hood housing areas are encouraged to attend.
“(It’s) neighbors networking with other neighbors, creating a sense of camaraderie so we can take care of our community as a whole,” Samarripa said.
For more information about the event, call 287-4752 or contact your village community manager’s office.
Locked out? Contact your unit
The Barracks Management, First Sergeants Barracks Program can no longer provide room lockout services.
FSBP also is unable to continue providing after-hours in-processing of Soldiers who need barracks billeting.
Both of these services will become unit responsibilities effective Sunday. For assistance, Soldiers must report to their brigade staff duty officer or staff duty noncommissioned officer.
Soldiers in separate units which do not fall under a brigade must request assistance from their unit SDO, SDNCO or charge-of-quarters staff.
For more information, call Ken Fyffe at 287-4884.
Volunteers sought
The Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center is seeking volunteers to provide hospitality to patients and family members in the hospital.
The ministry is looking for volunteers willing to offer a listening ear, provide a comforting presence to patients, sit with them, read to them, and give information about hospital and community resources.
People interested in helping out should contact Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Potter at 288-8848 to schedule an interview about becoming a part of this caring and supportive team.
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