Operation Workhorse Stampede

Transcription

1 FORT BLISS ONLY AUTHORIZED NEWSPAPER Op Desert Rumble Children, families German AF trains in the field 8A walk for awareness Connect with the Bugle at: Thursday, April 13, 2017 Fort Bliss Community 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss 1B fortblissbugle.com Click on the e-edition >> STRIKE FOCUS 17 Sgt. Brian Chaney / Combat Camera Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, take cover in a trench during Strike Focus 17 here Sunday. Strike Focus 17 is a series of situational training exercises designed to evaluate unit readiness and train participants in a realistic scenario designed from deployed military operations. For more on this exercise, see next week s Fort Bliss Bugle. Operation Workhorse Stampede Four companies from 127th ASB train to defend base By Ismael E. Ortega By Wendy Brown Fort Bliss Bugle Managing Editor Mobilization and Deployment, DPTMS Public Affairs OROGRANDE, N.M. The 127th Aviation Support Battalion, nicknamed the Workhorse, provides direct support, logistics and maintenance to the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, but Soldiers from the battalion honed their tactical skills during Operation Workhorse Stampede here March 15 through 24. Soldiers from the Hellhounds, Outlaws, Banditos and Warriors, the four companies from the 127th ASB, immersed themselves in an austere environment and went from their traditional combat support roles to the front lines and executed convoy missions, casualty evacuations and perimeter defense operations. The purpose of the exercise was to work on our tactical Army skills. As a support battalion we re very good at the technical aspect of what we do whether its fixing aircraft, fixing vehicles, pushing fuel or setting up an (information technology) infrastructure, said Lt. Col. Kyle M. Hogan, commander, 127th ASB, CAB, 1st AD. This gave us the opportunity to go to the field with about half the battalion to execute the tactical Army warfighting functions that we don t get a chance to hone in very often. After the battalion established an area of operasee WORKHORSE Page 2A Capt. Tyson Friar / CAB, 1st AD, Public Affairs Soldiers assigned to the 127th Aviation Support Battalion, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, conduct combat medical drills during Operation Workhorse Stampede March 20. inside this issue 647th RSG conducts RSOI FORT BLISS Friday Saturday Sunday Mostly sunny Hi 85, Lo 62 Sunny Hi 84, Lo 58 Mostly sunny Hi 85, Lo 55 at WAREX 6A The importance of Estate Planning Avoid problems before losing a loved one 6B Eye on PIE: 3-43 ADA Soldiers volunteer at Nixon E.S. 8B MG McKenrick reflects on time at JMC, Fort Bliss Unit News... 3A Community... 1B Sports... 11B Off Duty... 12B Commercial Classifieds... 14B Army Classifieds... 14B Several changes have taken place in the 20 months Maj. Gen. Terry McKenrick has commanded the U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command here. Most notably, McKenrick has overseen the command s yearlong Joint National Training Capability accreditation, the name change of Maj. Gen. the command and a Terry McKenrick principle exercise and a switch to using a rotational unit, currently the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, for exercises. That is not to mention the ongoing interoperability improvements with multinational partners and plans for an exercise in Germany. For McKenrick, who will relinquish command at a ceremony here April 25, the changes are part of an ongoing process to accommodate the changing needs of the Army, and he has set the command up to succeed for future changes. We will continue to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of the Army, McKenrick said in an interview here April 4. We ve demonstrated how we can continue to change what we re doing to meet the needs of the Army and I anticipate that will continue in the future. See MCKENRICK Page 3A

2 2A April 13, 2017 FORT BLISS BUGLE IRON 6 Sends By Maj. Gen. Pat White 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Commanding General I want to take the opportunity in this inaugural IRON 6 Sends, to say just how proud I am of the IRON Soldiers, civilians and families of America s Tank Division, and to thank you all for your commitment and service to our nation. With the world s increasingly dangerous security environment, the Army must be prepared to meet nation state and transnational threats of varimaj. Gen. ous types. As Pat White the worldwide demand for Army forces increases, it is more important than ever to ensure we are as ready as we can be now should our nation call. Our units have been doing tremendous work to ensure they are ready. At this writing, much of the Ready First Brigade Combat team is deployed on operations, as is an attack helicopter battalion from the division s Combat Aviation Brigade. The Sustainment Brigade, Division Headquarters and Division Artillery are conducting final preparations for deployment in the next few months as 2nd Brigade Combat Team executes its Strike Focus training exercises and 3rd Brigade Combat Team recovers from its recent deployment. April is the designated month for three key Army observances and other events on Fort Bliss: Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month: 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss have a number of events planned in support of SHARP Month, including the Third Annual SHARP Summit at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center April 27. Month of the Military Child: Make no mistake; military children are extraordinary. They face challenges and concerns civilian children do not and demonstrate remarkable courage while doing so. Soldier and unit readiness is built on the foundation of resilient families that support and enable us to serve. It is only fitting that we honor our children this month. Volunteer Appreciation Month: April 23 through 29 is Fort Bliss Volunteer Week, and it culminates in an annual volunteer award ceremony at the 1st AD and Fort Bliss Museum April 28. Days of Remembrance for Victims of the Holocaust: Fort Bliss commemorates with the Days of Remembrance Event at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center April 18. In closing, I want to reiterate my IRON SIX Rule Number One for leaders and Soldiers: Be Ready Now! The last question you should ask yourself before lights out is, Are my team and I as ready as we can be now? IRON 6 - OUT The Fort Bliss Bugle is an unofficial publication authorized by AR and printed each Thursday in the interest of the Fort Bliss and El Paso, Texas, communities. The contents of the Fort Bliss Bugle are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army or The Laven Group, LLC. The appearance of advertising in the Fort Bliss Bugle does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised. Any article or service advertised in the Fort Bliss Bugle will be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to any non-merit factor of consumers. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, advertising from that source will be discontinued until the violation is corrected. The Fort Bliss Bugle has a circulation of 13,000 copies. Editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of Fort Bliss, Bldg. 15, or fax Courtesy photo Soldiers assigned to the 127th Aviation Support Battalion, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, engage targets at night during Operation Workhorse Stampede in Orogrande, N.M. WORKHORSE Continued from Page 1A tions they covered infantry tactics, manned entry control points and practiced searching and detaining personnel. It s important because we may be a support battalion, but we always have to be ready for the fight because you never know if it s going to get to us too, said Spc. Gary Holland, an allied trade specialist assigned to Company B, 127th ASB, CAB, 1st AD. We did a lot of missions like you would if you were deployed and did training on live fires, holding a forward operating position in the desert and sustaining ourselves. More than 300 Soldiers from the logistics, administrative, mechanics and IT fields took part in the operation, which culminated in a base-defense live-fire and night-fire portion supported by UH-60 Black Hawks and AH-64 Apaches. During this event, Soldiers reacquainted themselves with crew-served weapons and night vision equipment. Spc. Marley Lindo, an ammunition specialist assigned to Company A, 127th ASB, CAB, 1st AD, had the opportunity to step outside of his typical role and was able to fire the.50 caliber machine gun. The base defense live-fire and getting to shoot the (.50 caliber machine gun) was fun, Lindo said. The night fire portion and getting to know more about our battle buddies was really fun also. Unlike other units on the installation, the 127th ASB doesn t go to the National Training Center, located at Fort Irwin, California, so an ex- Capt. Tyson Friar / CAB, 1st AD, Public Affairs While conducting a base-defense live-fire exercise, Soldiers assigned to the 127th Aviation Support Battalion, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, defend their position from their foxholes and Light Medium Tactical Vehicles during Operation Workhorse Stampede March 20. ercise such as this helps the leaders evaluate the combat readiness of the troops. A lot of the Soldiers were exposed to something that they have not seen in the past so it was a good opportunity to train, mentor, and develop junior leaders in all levels which was a sub component of what we were trying to do, Hogan said. The exercise went very well. The Soldiers were provided with an opportunity to do something that they don t get to do every day. Their skills were honed to allow them to be successful in the event that we had to deploy. >> SMA DAILEY VISITS BLISS Photo by Sgt. Kelsey L. Miller / 1st BCT, 1st AD The 15th Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey holds a Combined Professional Leadership Development Forum with the senior noncommissioned officers from the division during his visit here April 7. He discussed the future of Army leadership, and gave senior enlisted noncommissioned officers the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. The Leadership Development Forum is designed to indirectly maximize the potential for leadership excellence within Army units. Topics discussed included taking care of Soldiers and their families, which directly supports Soldier readiness. (Top right) A Soldier assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, receives a coin from the 15th Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey, during his visit here, April 6. Standout Soldiers received coins as recognition for their hard work and dedication to their unit and the Army. Items submitted for publication in the Fort Bliss Bugle should be sent to fortblissbugle@ gmail.com, or sent to Fort Bliss, Texas 79916, by noon on Friday before issue. All submissions become Army property and should be typed, doublespaced with the author s name, signature, and mailing address. Photos should have information attached describing the photo and have the photographer s full name. The editor reserves the right to reject or edit all editorial submissions that do not conform to the Fort Bliss Bugle s journalistic standards. Photos are U.S. Army unless otherwise designated. The Fort Bliss Bugle s classified ad page is a free service reserved for active duty personnel, military retirees, military family members and DAC s only. 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3 FORT BLISS BUGLE April 13, A Training is the oil that keeps the engine of our Army running Fort Bliss NCO Academy graduates first MLC class 5A Unit Briefs Easter Sunrise Service: The Fort Bliss Easter Sunrise Service is at 7 a.m. Sunday at Noel Field, across from the Fort Bliss Replica Museum. The guest speaker will be Chaplain (Col.) Robert Whitlock. In case of rain, the service will move to Center Chapel One Shredder Day: As part of Earth Month, the Fort Bliss Recycling Program is providing a free shredder day on April 20 from 9 a.m. until the shredder truck is full at Bldg Marshall Road. Shredding paper takes time, please plan for extended wait times. Only unclassified and personal papers only accepted. Ten ream-sized box limit per vehicle. Please remove all material from three-ring binders (manila folders are acceptable) and remove all large clips (staples are acceptable). Fort Bliss Human Resources Conference: Calling all HR professionals, you are invited to a human resources conference at Fort Bliss Gooding Instructional Facility, Room Sergeant E. Churchill St. from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 5. RSVP for attendance to Tamara Holterman at JMC officer selected for prestigious award By Abigail Meyer Fort Bliss Bugle Editor Duty, honor, country it is the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, motto and they are the words Gen. Douglas MacArthur implored cadets to live by when he delivered his famous speech after receiving an award at the academy in Each year, the Army recognizes top company-grade officers and warrant officers who embody those ideals with the 2016 General Capt. Steven Simmons Douglas A. MacArthur Leadership Award. Fourteen active-duty Soldiers across the Army received the award this year, and Capt. Steven Simmons, an armor officer assigned to the U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command here, was one of them. Maj. Gen. Terry McKenrick, commanding general, JMC, a West Point graduate and Mac Arthur award recepient, nominated Simmons, who works for McKenrick as his aide de camp. The award period was for all of 2016, including Simmons time as commander of Company C, 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. I was very fortunate I had a really good team during that time, Simmons said. I think I got really Sgt. Matt Young / 117th MPAD (Hawaii) Capt. Steven Simmons, a Soldier with Combined Task Force Arrowhead, greets local village children of Big Regai in southern Afghanistan on July 6, lucky with timing and I got really lucky with an amazing group of teams I ve worked with for the last two years. Simmons led his unit through rotations at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana, and the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, and deployed with them to Kuwait for a few months at the end of his command time before joining the JMC team. In his nomination packet, his command highlighted some of his accomplishments, including having the highest reenlistment rate for the brigade and the highest operational readiness ratings for the brigade during NTC. An excerpt from his nomination packet notes: Steven is a dedicated professional and inspirational leader who is in the top one percent of his peer group. He has an innate ability to motivate and influence those around him, fostering a positive environment for subordinates and superiors. Taking care of Soldiers is the cornerstone of his command philosophy. I believe that leaders should do everything in their power to give their subordinates what they need to succeed. We, as leaders, should be working for those who work for us. I ve found that if you work toward that then your Soldiers will work twice as hard for you because they know you re there for them and their success, Simmons said. Leaders should find ways to harness those successes and infuse that motivation and dedication back into their organization. I believe this creates an environment where people want to be a part of the team and want to succeed no matter how difficult. In turn, that just makes the leaders jobs easier. Simmons, a University of Central Florida graduate and a Florida native, has served almost nine years in the Army and has deployed three times to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Simmons credits a team effort for his success as a commander and said the honor of winning the award was overwhelming. I love the people in the Army. Man I love Soldiers. They re the best They re 100 percent the reason I stay in the Army, Simmons said. They re the workhorses. All the 18 to 24-year-old men and women, they re the ones that make the Army world go round. Simmons plans to continue his career in the Army, and heads to U.S. Army Central for his next assignment. It gives me purpose and I have a lot of pride when I put on my uniform, Simmons said. It s awesome being able to do my job, leading Soldiers. MCKENRICK Continued from Page 1A The JMC, formerly the Brigade Modernization Command, has conducted realistic and rigorous operational exercises since 2011 to provide Soldier feedback on emerging concepts and capabilities that will improve the combat effectiveness of the Joint Force. Those exercises have included Network Integration Evaluation exercises and the former Army Warfighting Assessment exercises, now called U.S. Army Joint Warfighting Assessment exercises. Next year, the command will conduct Joint Warfighting Assessment 18.1 in the training area of Hohenfels, Germany, McKenrick said. We re working with U.S. Army Europe headquarters, the 7th Army Training Command and the Joint Multinational Readiness Center to be able to take another rotational unit, McKenrick said. That unit hasn t been committed yet, but we expect that unit to be committed soon and that will be our first time with a rotational unit overseas. The command has brigade headquarters personnel from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Canada committed to participate, McKenrick said. This will be an important exercise for our multinational partners and NATO partners that will participate from Europe and also some of our other close partners from around the world, McKenrick said. As with other exercises, multinational military personnel will focus on improving interoperability, whether it involves communication with a coalition network and secure Staff Sgt. Marcus Fichtl / 24th Press Camp Rear Adm. Douglas G. Morton, Navy director of Energy and Environmental Readiness, speaks with then-brig. Gen. Terry McKenrick, commanding general, Brigade Modernization Command (now called the U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command), during Network Integration Evaluation 16.1 here Oct. 4, The Army promoted McKenrick to major general Aug. 2, tactical voice, or a shared common operational picture, McKenrick said. We will always deploy alongside our joint and multinational partners, McKenrick said, so we want to take advantage of these exercises to improve our interoperability. In addition, Army leaders are considering changing the command s NIE exercises to Capabilities Integration Evaluation exercises, McKenrick said. The change, which could take place by 2020, would better reflect that the command is focused on testing and evaluating network and non-network capabilities. Also, Army leaders are in the early stages of planning for the Army s first Multi-domain Task Force here, which would take advantage of the great training areas at Fort Bliss, the 1st Armored Division s units and the expertise of the JMC, McKenrick said. The task force, which would support U.S. Army Pacific, will likely be operational by fiscal year 2019, McKenrick said. McKenrick, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, arrived at Fort Bliss in 2014 and originally held the position of 1st AD and Fort Bliss deputy commanding general of operations. While at 1st AD, he deployed to lead the U.S. Central Command Forward mission in Jordan. After a year, he took over command of the JMC. I really thank the team that I worked with here at the Joint Modernization Command, McKenrick said. They re great professionals. They re very dedicated and hardworking, and through our NIE and JWA exercises they make critical advancements in modernization for our Army. In addition, McKenrick said the Soldiers of Fort Bliss and members of the El Paso community have impressed him. I ve been amazed by the great synergy that exists across Fort Bliss, with all the units supporting each other in the accomplishment of their missions, and the great support by the El Paso community for all of our Soldiers and their families, McKenrick said. Next, McKenrick said he will be the deputy commanding general for operations for U.S. Army Central, with their forward headquarters deployed in Kuwait. It s a very different mission from what I m doing now, going back to the operational Army, and it will be a very important mission at a critical time, McKenrick said. It promises to be a challenging assignment and I m looking forward to it.

4 4A April 13, 2017 FORT BLISS BUGLE

5 FORT BLISS BUGLE April 13, A Fort Bliss NCO Academy graduates first MLC class By David Crozier USASMA Command Communications The Fort Bliss Noncommissioned Officer Academy hit a milestone April 3 when officials held a graduation ceremony for the 32 individually-selected students of Master Leader Course in the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Cooper Lecture Center. Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Vogl, commandant of the NCOA, congratulated the graduates for their accomplishment. The guest speaker was Command Sgt. Maj. Harold Reynolds, director of the Sergeants Major Course at USASMA. This is a long time coming to see this course happen, Reynolds said. I will tell you this course has been through hoops and a few loops and the (staff at USASMA) have gone through three rings of fire to get it just right and I think that they have, and you are the proof that it does work. Reynolds told the graduates they have completed the toughest course in the Army and they earned their certificate of completion. He urged them to continue learning and take their new knowledge back to their units and make them better. You need to mentor. Use your experience from this course to help someone else get to this course and be better prepared, Reynolds said. That is what it is all about. That s what we are going to ask you to do mentor someone, share your experience, what you learned, how you learned it and how did you prepare for it. With graduation certificate in hand, Master Sgt. Scott Arispe, U.S. Army Reserve Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, said the course met the requirements of filling the gap between attending the Senior Leader Course and the Sergeants Major Course. It is not to be underestimated that s for sure, Arispe said. A lot of material in a short period of time. The great thing about it is, it really opens up that creative and critical thinking that you must have to execute and apply it to situations that you are going to experience at this level. Sgt. 1st Class Cameron Mitchell, a quality assurance adviser with Training and Doctrine Command, said the course really makes you think outside the box. Just trying to tap into that college mindset I am a college graduate, but it has been a while to tap into that experience and working with my peers is what the challenge was, Mitchell said. Just thinking that creative thinking and critical thinking this is definitely something that is needed before you go to USASMA. The instructors for the course were selected from the previous pilot classes held at USASMA, the National Guard David Crozier / USASMA Command Communications The 32 students of Master Leader Course gather in the courtyard of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy here for their class picture April 3. Regional Training Institute at Camp Williams, Utah, and the Reserve Training Center at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Master Sgt. Joey Dotson, an MLC instructor and a graduate of the pilot course at Camp Williams, said the course is challenging from both sides of the lectern. It is a very informative course, very challenging course, much different from any of the other courses I have taken in the past, Dotson said, adding what is different about MLC from other courses he has taken is that it uses a different learning approach. Dotson said it was fun and challenging to be a part of the first-ever MLC here. Not only did the instructors come together as a team, the students were motivated, participated, tried hard and did well. The Master Leader Course was one of the most mentally challenging courses that I have ever had the privilege of attending, Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Stephens, an operations NCIOC for USASMA, said. From day one you are learning and this is a continuous process throughout the entire course, he said. I would recommend it to anyone that plans on making the Army a more than 20-year career. Arispe agreed. One of the great things about this course is it is unlike the Senior Leader and Advanced Leader Courses that focus on the Military Occupational Specialty the Soldier is on. MLC applies to everybody, Arispe said. You can use this course to advance in other areas outside of your MOS in an operational capacity. So it develops you to take on other areas of responsibility which is a great thing. We need to be versatile in that aspect. The Master Leader Course is the newest course in the NCO Professional Development System. MLC has been specifically designed to prepare sergeants first class and master sergeants for the increased leadership and management responsibilities required of senior NCOs. MLC is designed to challenge and educate selected sergeants first class in professional writing, communication skills, public speaking, critical thinking, organizational and command leadership, management skills, joint and operational level of war fighting, discipline, readiness, health and administrative requirements. In addition, students will be exposed to topics such as national security, joint intergovernmental and multinational and strategic thinking. The first pilot was conducted at USASMA in The next two were at the National Guard Regional Training Institute at Camp Williams, Utah, and the Reserve Training Center at Fort Knox, Kentucky. WE UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES OF BEING AWAY FROM HOME. USAA s Deployment Guide gives you and your family the tools you ll need before, during and after your deployment. FOR MORE MILITARY MEMBER BENEFITS, VISIT USAA.COM/SERVING. Use of the term member or membership does not convey any eligibility rights for auto and property insurance products, or legal or ownership rights in USAA. Membership eligibility and product restrictions apply and are subject to change. No official U.S. Army endorsement is implied. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense. USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates USAA G

6 6A April 13, 2017 FORT BLISS BUGLE 647th RSG conducts RSOI at WAREX By Maj. Amabilia Payen 647th RSG Public Affairs FORT DIX, New Jersey The Army has significantly refined the process of deploying a unit to a theater of war since Operation Desert Storm. Soldiers know this process as reception, staging, onward movement and integration, or RSOI. One Army Reserve unit from El Paso makes the RSOI process look smooth and efficient. The 647th Regional Support Group, exercised RSOI for Warrior Exercise, here, March 21 through April 3. WAREX is a culmination training exercise that includes more than 48 units simulating life on and off a forward operating base in a make-believe war torn country. The 647th RSG war-gamed with all 48 units and conducted its mission in the simulated deployed environment as part of their annual two-week training requirements. The 647th RSG in-processed and outprocessed nearly 3,500 troops. These units came from 18 states, from Massachusetts, Kansas and California to name a few. Lt. Col. William Nelson, deputy commanding officer, 647th RSG, said he believes the RSOI mission is very important to Army operations. It s important we practice these skills, Nelson said. We may be called upon to do them as we are here. The more critical part in our unit is the (Tactical Operations Center) operations and working as a unit in the field, which we haven t had an opportunity to do in the past. According to the unit s organization in personnel and equipment, the 647th RSG is not equipped to do mayor cell operations, which is a small force inside a forward operating base that runs day-to-day activities to Maj. Amabilia Payen / 647th RSG Public Affairs Maj. Jonathon Cecilio, communications officer in charge for 647th Regional Support Group, a U.S. Army Reserve unit based in El Paso, conducts radio tests within the unit s tactical operations center during Warrior Exercise at Fort Dix, N.J., March 24. sustain life for Soldiers while preparing to move toward the fields of battle, or returning from them, ready to go home. According to Nelson, stretching out thin and conducting mayor cell tasks is an opportunity to practice different skill sets. Being able to manage a base camp is one aspect of it and it s good for us, Nelson said. All the RSGs (in the Army) serve a critical function and the 647th is no exception. This unit already did their job in theater, and we have had new staff since then. My job is to ensure we are trained so that we are ready to do the same thing next time we are called upon. During the 14-day exercise, the unit received a visit from Brig. Gen. Alex Fink, the commanding general of the 4th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Reserve. I call this more so as JRSO (joint reception staging and onward movement) because most likely the unit will be deploying in a joint environment, Fink said. It s critical because this process is how you build combat power and send them forward into the fight. It s all about building combat power in a theater of war. In the case of the 647th RSG, this is a massive responsibility where forces can move forward and face an adversary. Staff Sgt. Alberto Amor conducted mayor cell duties in Afghanistan with the unit and also knows the importance of the training. We train here so that we know what to expect, Amor said. Not only do we move the force forward, but we also clean up when the mission is done, referring to the drawdown of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009 and Amor said he was part of the force ensuring units went home en masse. Once everyone moved out, it was our job to tear the (FOBs) down, destroy everything that was not needed, and turn in items that could go home, he said. So in essence, the RSOI mission is critical to Army operations, from the beginning to the end. With the U.S. Army Reserve being the most capable, combat-ready, and lethal Reserve force in the history of the nation, exercising these tasks are crucial to a unit, and for the commander who ensures his unit is ready to go at a moment s notice. The RSOI and reverse RSOI are both very important missions, said Col. Craig Cox, commander of the 647th RSG. For two reasons it s important. First accountabil- See WAREX Page 7A STOP BY TODAY AND GET 25% OFF FOR Military Fort Bliss, check it out! and First responders * all day, every day! 8889 Gateway Blvd., Suite 1530 Bottom The Fountains Hours: M-Thu 11 am-11 pm; Fri-Sat 11am-Midnight; Sun 11 am-10 pm * 25% Off (food only) for Military and First Responders. Valid ID required if not in uniform.

7 WAREX Continued from Page 6A ity of personnel, which is primary, and then accountability of equipment. Therefore, the big challenge is numbers. We have to have good communication with commanders to have a solid count. Tracking what goes into and out of the areas of war is what Cox deems to be important for the American public to know. We want to make sure we are not wasting money and leaving equipment behind, Cox said. Tracking all this places an important responsibility on us. In today s RSOI process, there is a lot of emphasis on tracking numbers. It s important to do this mission and practice it and tax our resources. So imagine yourself as a Soldier, saying goodbye to your family because you are about to board a bus filled with members of your unit. From the bus ride to the airport, to the airport to the country in question, the first place you arrive at is the forward operating base that will ensure you and your unit are ready to move forward towards the front lines of battle. You want a place to eat, sleep, and make a few phone calls back home. The 647th RSG ensures those needs are taken care of for every service member in the military. Pfc. Raul Hernandez a 647th RSG Soldier who has never deployed, said he now sees the bigger picture of what his mission is with his unit. In the 647th RSG, his military police skills are needed for security in different areas of the FOB. It s a good learning experience to see how it would be like to actually deploy and what to expect out of it, Hernandez said. I see how they have the TOC running and how our security is set up. Hernandez had a different view before WAREX, and after seeing it in action, he understands how a family member would be worried about a loved one and how important the 647th RSG mission is to family members back home. I see how (American) Red Cross messages get done and how we have the chaplain in case they need those services and advice, Hernandez said. They can contact back home if they have the free time. We can also ensure they get home. After two weeks of pushing troops back to their home states, the 647th RSG finally took all their lessons learned and headed to El Paso. One lesson that definitely stuck in every Soldier s mind, was the statement about how the Army Reserve forces still remain the dedicated federal reserve of the most decisive and lethal force in the world. WAREX brought together many Soldiers with different skills, exercised their capabilities and gave them lessons learned so that if they re called to serve, they can fight and they can FORT BLISS BUGLE April 13, A Maj. Amabilia Payen / 647th RSG Public Affairs Officers and noncommissioned officers of the 647th Regional Support Group, a U.S. Army Reserve unit based in El Paso, conduct a battle update brief during WAREX at Fort Dix, N.J., March 24. win against any threat. The Soldiers of the 647th RSG understand this and now understand fully how important it is to remain ready at any given moment, to answer the nation s call. Fresh Gulf Coast Seafood 6801 Gateway Blvd. West LandrysSeafood.com