Live Helo Exercise. 1st MSC Gazette. ZERO TOLERANCE WITH SEXUAL VIOLENCE 11 Sexual harassment and sexual assault are inconsistent with Army Values

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1 1st Mission Support Command - U.S. Army Reserve Puerto Rico Summer 2012 Summer 2012 Recruiting, Promoting and Growing Citizen Soldiers Vol. No. 3 Issue 4 Summer 2013 What s inside Live Helo Exercise 8 Soldiers of the 390th Seaport Operations What s inside Company, US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico, conduct sling load operations, as part of the unit s annual training exercise at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. ZERO TOLERANCE WITH SEXUAL VIOLENCE 11 Sexual harassment and sexual assault are inconsistent with Army Values TROOPS TO SERVE IN GUANTANAMO 4 www. facebook.com/1stmsc 613th Military Police Company will conduct correctional operations Scan the QR Code for the online version

2 2 Summer 2013 Promoting, Recruiting and Growing Brig. Gen. Fernando Fernández Commander Col. Miguel A. Isaac Deputy Commander Col. Eric Bermúdez Chief Of Staff Maj. Carlos M. Cuebas Public Affairs Officer Sgt. 1st Class Limary Sanchez Public Affairs NCOIC Sgt. José F. Babilonia Public Affairs NCO The is an authorized publication printed IAW AR in the interest of Soldiers, civilians and Families of the 1st MSC. Opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. government, Department of the Army or its agencies. All photos are property of the U.S. Army, unless otherwise credited. is published by the 1st MSC Headquarters located at 353 Wilson Road, Fort Buchanan, PR submissions to the 1st MSC public affairs officer at 1st MSC Phone Numbers Commander Deputy Commander Safety Specialist Personnel Plans Public Affairs BETTER CITIZENS FOR PUERTO RICO San Juan, PR- Members of the 1st Mission Support Command, US Army Reserve- Puerto Rico, led by Brig. Gen. Fernando Fernández and Command Sgt. Maj. Rene Rivera, showed their support to the patients of cancer in the island, by participating in the Urban Challenge event,may 26, a 5 kilometer obstacle race, organized by the Puerto Rican League Against Cancer, a non-profit organization which goal is to raise funds to help the Puerto Rico s Cancer Hospital.. The race not only served to demonstrate the troops solidarity with the less fortunate in the local community, but also to highlight the level of physical readiness of the troops assigned to the largest US Army Reserve command in the Caribbean. Sgt Giselle González, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Specialist, member of the US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico team for the race, won the distinguished title of overall Left - Sgt. Giselle Gonzalez, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Specialist, who is a member of the US Army Reserve- Puerto Rico, won the title of overall Female Winner in the. 5K race. (Courtesy photo by Reto Urbano) Female Winner, among approximately a thousand participants. You have to train, not because we re women means we cannot be at the level of men said a proud Gonzalez shortly after finishing the run. Gonzalez who is currently assigned to the 448 Engineer Battalion, US Army Reserve- Puerto Rico, had previous experience participating in track and field sports since the early age of 10.

3 Summer BETTER CITIZENS FOR PUERTO RICO The Urban Challenge event was quite different from any other 5 kilometers run, as the participants had to negotiate eight steep obstacles in their way to the finish line. I was not expecting to win. Getting close the finish line I saw a female competitor, and at that moment was the one winning the race. I got motivated, moved and won, added Gonzalez. The participation of the US Army Reserve troops in this race clearly shows that the Army Reserve-Puerto Rico not only develops mission ready Soldiers to deploy worldwide, but also creates better citizens for Puerto Rico. The race not only served to demosntrate the troops' solidarity with the less fortunate,... but also to highlight the troops' readiness. Master Sgt. Edwin J. Velázquez, 1st Mission Support Command s Force Development Noncommisioned Officer in Charge, negotiates one of the eight obstacles during his participation in the Urban Challenge 5 kilometer race, May 26. Two unidentified race staff members observe. (US Army photo by Staff Sgt. Luis Reyes/Released)

4 4 Summer TH mp co Fort Buchanan, PR- Approximately 125 Soldiers assigned to the 613th Military Police Company, US Army Reserve- Puerto Rico, departed the Caribbean island, June 2, on their way to a mobilization station in Texas, with Guantanamo Naval Base as final destiny. The troops are ready and motivated, said Capt. Edwin Romero, commander of the unit, based in Juana Diaz. The 613th Military Police Company will conduct correctional operations at the detention center in Guantanamo, where hundreds of Taliban members are currently being held. The Puerto Rican troops are characterized by having personnel with civilian law enforcement experience, due to their civilian occupations as police or correctional officers. According to Romero, this fact represents a huge advantage for the Army Reserve unit. For other Soldiers, this departure represents their first mobilization. As expected, I am a little bit nervous because this is the first time I mobilize. However, I also feel very prepared to accomplish our mission successfully, said Private 1st Class Christian Jusino, a Sabana Grande, PR native who has one year and four months of service in the Army Reserve. TO GUANTANAMO SEE CUBA NEXT PAGE

5 Summer TROOPS TO GUANTANAMO CUBA from previous page I feel proud of my son s mobilization; however, his departure also hurts me. I feel very proud and happy when I see him wearing his uniform, said with a broken voice Yolanda Albino-Cordero, Jusino s mother, minutes before her son boarded a bus that would take him to the airport. Darlene Caraballo-Martinez, a native of Yauco, PR, was another military family member who accompanied the troops until the very last minute. Her husband is Corporal Juan Carlos Bourdon. I feel a little bit sad because I will not be able to be with my husband for a year, and because we will soon have a baby and he will not be here with us. But all that does not matter. What matters is our well being, our progress and our future, said a resilient Caraballo- Martinez. We would not be able to do this deployment without the support of our Families. With their support and the training we have received, I am convinced we will do an excellent job, said Bourdon. Brig. Gen. Fernando Fernandez, Commanding General of the 1st Mission Support Command, Army Reserve-Puerto Rico, personally met the troops at the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport. The 613th Military Police Company is the second US Army Reserve- Puerto Rico unit that is deployed in Currently, the Army Reserve- Puerto Rico has approximately 300 Soldiers mobilized in Afghanistan. We would not be able to do this deployment without the support of our Families Cpl. Juan C. Bourdon Soldiers from the 613th Military Police Company line up at the Luis Muñoz Marin airport s runway, before boarding the flight that would take them to a mobilization station, as part of their deployment to Guantanamo, June 2. (US Army Photo by MAJ Carlos M. Cuebas/Released)

6 6 Summer 2013 Puerto Nuevo, PR- Soldiers and civilians assigned to the 1st Mission Support Command, US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico held an Emergency Management Working Group meeting to further develop the command s Hurricane Season plan and the Continuity of Operations Program, Policy and Planning (COOP), July. During the Emergency Management Working Group meeting, each staff section and the two Army Reserve Regional Support Groups developed and updated their annexes to the operational order, to ensure an effective command s response in case of a local emergency. Ready for Local Emergencies The National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (NDAA) provides new mobilization authority for Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) in response to domestic complex catastrophes. Based on this authorization, the Army Reserve can now provide disaster relief and emergency management to the community of Puerto Rico, said Marcelo Rolon, COOP manager in the command. Section 515 of the NDAA 2012 adds a new paragraph under Title 10, U.S.C to grant access to the Title 10 Reserve, including the Army Reserve, for disaster response missions. According to Rolon, unit commanders are authorized to assist local government officials under the Immediate Response Authority (IRA), in coordination with the higher command, to save lives, prevent suffering, or mitigate great property damage. Nevertheless, the change in the law does not make the Army Reserve a first responder. National Guard forces responding under state active duty or Title 32 are the only military forces considered "first responders. However, when a Governor requests Federal assistance, Army Reserve forces may be part of the Federal response. The DSCA mission increases the relevance of the Army Reserve in Puerto Rico, as the island is located in a major corridor for Tropical cyclones in the Caribbean. The Army Reserve is the largest federal US Army Command in the Caribbean. With ten centers around Puerto Rico, to include the Virgin Islands, the US Army Reserve has thousands of Citizen Soldiers with highly technical, specialized and professional skills in logistics, transportation, training, engineering, information technology, communication networking and law enforcement, among others, which can be critical during a local emergency. The Army Reserve can now provide disaster relief to the community of Puerto Rico.

7 Summer st MP CO. BACK HOME Fort Buchanan, PR- Approximately, 100 Soldiers assigned to the 301st Military Police Company, US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico, arrived to the island July 20, after spending nine months deployed in Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, one of the largest U.S. military bases in that country. The local troops conducted correctional operations at a detention center in Afghanistan, where hundreds of Taliban members are currently being held. Our troops provided security and protection to the detainees in a humane way, always respecting their human rights, said Sgt. 1st Class. Carlos Alvarado, senior noncommissioned officer in the returning group. An energized group of Family members gathered at the Fort Buchanan community center s parking lot to receive the Soldiers. The Soldiers now begin their reintegration phase, which includes a deliberate plan for ensuring the well-being of service members and their Families as they reunite after a deployment. The Army Reserve-Puerto Rico has mobilized approximately 5000 troops since 2001, in support of the war against terrorism. There are currently approximately 300 local troops mobilized in Afghanistan and other countries around the world. The safe return of these PR troops represents a clear example of the efficient pre-mobilization program of the Army Reserve and the strength of the Soldiers and their Families.

8 8 Summer 2013 Summer 2013 Story by Sgt. Marco Gutierrez, 350th Public Affairs Detachment JOINT BASE LANGLEYEUSTIS, Va. The feeling of being pushed by 120-mph winds is something very few people have ever experienced. Even fewer have felt it while an aircraft is hovering just a few feet above their heads. During an annual Extended Combat Training exercise for the 390th Seaport Operation Company, this is exactly what eight U.S. Army Reserve soldiers had a chance to experience. With a CH-47 Chinook helicopter hovering just a few feet overhead and a rotor wash speed of close to 120 mph, these soldiers linked equipment to the CH-47 Chinook as part of their training in slingloaded cargo. These unique soldiers are all specially certified in sling load operations and are the only ones so qualified in a unit of more than 150 soldiers. Spc. Josue Vazquez, a cargo specialist with the 390thSPOC from Ceiba, Puerto Rico, said he and his fellow Soldiers had to attend the sling load operator inspector course at Fort Lee, Va., in order to be qualified for this mission. This training is awesome, because it s an unbelievable experience, said Sgt. Rafael Rivera, a cargo specialist with the 390th SPOC. It s unique, because no one else in our unit gets a chance to do this. This job takes more than just attaching a piece of equipment to a chain and then linking it up to an aircraft. There is a lot of preparation that must be taken in order to ensure the safety of the cargo as well the crew and aircraft. Soldiers must tape or tie down any piece of the equipment that could break off and do the math to make sure the rope and chains will hold the load. Vazquez said the most challenging part of this training is the math required, knowing what kinds of sling set to use, and determining the size and weight of a lot of different equipment. After the soldiers finish preparing the equipment they will load a shipping container and a Humvee the team gets ready for the arrival of the Chinook. The soldiers are especially excited to begin, because this is the first live exercise they have done since attending the Rivera said it feels like hurricane winds, and the 120- to 140-mph winds could knock you over if don t brace yourself. Vazquez added that having the helicopter hovering overhead can be intimidating. He said they need to have confidence in all the other soldiers around them to guarantee their safety, but it s exciting nonetheless. school. This was exciting for me since this the first time I ve done training like this outside of the Fort Lee, said Cpl. Joseph Vargas, a cargo specialist with the 390th SPOC. Spc. Luis Colomadera, a cargo specialist with the 390th SPOC, said it s a bit scary since they didn t have much practice doing it since being at school, but as the helicopter got closer, the team got excited. He added that as soon as they saw the helicopter link up and take off safely, they felt relieved and excited that they did everything right. As the soldiers cycle between loading the Humvee and the shipping container, the soldiers on the hookup team quickly move to set up and link each load of cargo. Rivera explains that usually there is one soldier to link the reach pedant, another to secure that soldier for safety, and the signalman who tells the aircraft how to maneuver on top of the cargo. 9 A U.S. Soldier assigned to the 390th Seaport Operations Company (SPOC) signals the pilots of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to help guide the aircraft safely over cargo during a sling load operation part of joint-service SPOC 13-2 training exercise at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Aug. 4, SPOC training integrates all aspects of Army transportation into seaport operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Marco Gutierrez/Released) The training was fast-paced and challenging for the soldiers, as each one had to switch through the different positions. Colomadera said that they do all the different jobs in the training, from hooking up the cargo with the reach pendant, to holding the hook-up man and being the signalman. It s very surreal, very accelerating, it makes your adrenaline start pumping, he said. As the training wrapped up, the soldiers enjoyed a familiarization ride on the Chinook; the team was all smiles. Vargas said that since they have been working together, they have become a better team. He said they understand each other and know exactly what each of them has to do to complete the mission. The most impressive part of the training is the feeling off the wind the helicopter gives off as it hovers overhead, otherwise known as rotor wash. Rotor wash can be more than 100 mph, Vazquez said. US Army Reserve-PR troops get first live helo exercise U.S. Army Cpl. Luis Colomadera, a cargo specialist with the 390th Seaport Operations Company (SPOC), signals that he and Spc. Benny Quinones, are ready to start the sling loading of a Humvee during joint-service SPOC 13-2 training exercise at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Aug 4, SPOC training integrates all aspects of Army transportation into seaport operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Marco Gutierrez/Released)

9 10 Summer 2013 Military Order of the Purple Heart Convention Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico- Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Puerto Rico chapter, gathered at the Buchanan s community club to celebrate their Annual Convention, 1 June. Among the distinguished visitors at the convention were Frederick A. Taylor Jr., Director of the Purple Heart Foundation, Agustin Montañez, Puerto Rico s Veterans Advocate and Brig. Gen. Fernando Fernandez, Commanding General of the 1st Mission Support Command, US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico. Fernandez was also the keynote speaker during the event. The Military Order of the Purple Heart clearly supports the Chief of Staff of the Army s strategic vision of preventing, shaping and winning. With your service, you prevent veterans, wounded warriors and their Families from not getting the attention they deserve. You also shape the environment through your services and education initiatives with wounded warriors. Definitively your organization helps us win, by assisting veterans and their Families, said Fernandez during his speech. During the ceremony, two Purple Hearts Awards were presented to two Korean War veterans, 60 years after the cease fire was declared. The first Purple Heart was presented posthumously to Sgt. Nieves Carrillo, a Fajardo native, who died in Korea Oct. 17, His son Roberto Carrillo received the award on behalf of his father. Santos Huertas, a Ciales, PR native, was officially awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in Korea, 60 years after the cease of fire was declared. (U.S. Army photo by MAJ Carlos M. Cuebas/Released) I am speechless. I cannot describe with words how I feel today. We have been waiting for this moment many, many years, said Roberto Carrillo, who was 7 years old when his father was killed in action. Santos Huertas, a Ciales, PR native, received the second Purple Heart award during the convention. I feel very happy today, said Huertas, who served as a Staff Sgt. in Korea with Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment. Today we give thanks because at last he will be recognized, said Aida Otero, Huertas wife for over 61 years. The Order has over 45,000 members, organized into six geographical regions, 49 State Departments, and 478 chapters.

10 Summer ZERO TOLERANCE WITH SEXUAL VIOLENCE Fort Buchanan, PR- The senior US Army officer in the Caribbean, at the federal level, Brig. Gen. Fernando Fernández, highlighted the efforts from his command to prevent sexual violence in the ranks of the military organization, as several units through the command are immersed in sexual harassment and sexual assault prevention training, July 13. Sexual harassment and sexual assault are inconsistent with Army Values and we will not tolerate it. At the national and local level, we are aggressively and proactively facing this situation, focusing in education and training to all our troops, said Fernandez. According to Fernandez, the internal US Army process dictates that once a sexual violence situation is reported, the efforts of the command will focus on helping the victims and on initiating the proper investigation to hold people accountable. Through the Sexual Harassment/ Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program and the Intervene, Act, and Motivate (I.A.M.) campaign, the US Army Reserve- Puerto Rico shows its serious commitment to prevent and eradicate the sexual offenses from our ranks, added the Army Reserve officer, who commands thousands of troops throughout Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. In the US Army, we constantly evaluate the effectiveness of our measures through anonymous surveys. In addition, we promote the open dialog and communication among Soldiers at all levels, to facilitate the prevention sexual assault, and sexual harassment, added Fernandez. Findings from the Department of Defense FY12 Annual Report on Sexual Assault, the Department of Defense Workplace & Gender Relations Surveys, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's national sexual violence survey, illustrate the gravity of the problem in the military, as well as in civilian society. Even when we have not received any reports of sexual violence cases that have happened in our command, I encourage all our troops to report any incident of sexual violence and to work hard to reduce the stigma of reporting, if a case takes place in our command, added Fernández. The Army aggressively indoctrinates new recruits and first-term Soldiers by providing critical training within the first 14 days of Combat Training and supporting Soldiers who self-disclose a pre-service history. It also provides SHARP training in all institutional leadership courses for officers and noncommisioned officers, including Pre-Command Courses. My message is very clear to all the members of the command. We are committed with the safety and wellbeing of all the members of this organization. Every reported case of sexual violence will be properly investigated in a professional way. Sexual violence has no room in this command, stated firmly Fernández. However, the Army Reserve goes beyond educating the troops. U.S. Army Sgt. Javier Quiñones victim advocate with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Mission Support Command, U.S. Army Reserve-Puerto Rico, briefs a group of troops during the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program training at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, July 13, (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Carlos Cuebas/Released)

11 12 Summer 2013 DLA and US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico s Strategic Partnership Left: Navy Rear Adm. Patricia Wolfe, director of the Joint Reserve Force at the Defense Logistics Agency and Brig. Gen. Fernando Fernandez, commander of the US Army Reserve 1st Mission Support Command, formalize a strategic partnership by signing a Memorandum of Agreement between their organizations, Aug 3. energy, to uniforms, medical supplies, and construction and barrier equipment. Everywhere there is a military presence, DLA provides support, said Wolfe. In addition to the overall mission, the DLA disposition services team s mission manages and tracks the reuse, transfer, donation, sale or disposal of excess property. San Juan, PR- Navy Rear Adm. Patricia Wolfe, Director of the Joint Reserve Force at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), met at Fort Buchanan with Brig. Gen. Fernando Fernández, commander of the US Army Reserve 1st Mission Support Command, to formalize a strategic partnership by signing a Memorandum of Agreement between DLA and the largest US Army Reserve command of the Caribbean, Aug 3. The agreement provides for the coordination and alignment of the 1st MSC resources in support to the full spectrum of DLA s military operations worldwide, within the Unified Combatant Commands. Last year, as we were looking for volunteers, we touched base with the US Army Reserve in Puerto Rico and we have now developed a strategic partnership with them to support our DLA mission in Afghanistan, said Wolfe. DLA sources and provides nearly 100 percent of the consumable items America s military forces need to operate, from food, fuel and With this mission in mind, DLA is in charge of bringing back and demilitarizing equipment as operations decrease in Afghanistan. According to Wolfe, over the last decade the US military has moved thousands of pieces of equipment, containers and materials into Afghanistan and now most of it will not go back to the Continental United States. There is a lot of equipment that is now considered excess and it is important that we demilitarize it, so

12 Summer it does not fall into the hands of the enemy, added Wolfe. The Navy officer also explained how DLA is making the job of our troops safer during the drawdown operations. We have expanded our presence in Afghanistan from some core hubs for disposition sites to a number of locations in the surrounding country side, where our Soldiers and Marines are located. This change keeps Soldiers off the road and keeps them safe, said Wolfe. The Rear Admiral explained that the expansion of the DLA locations across the Afghan country has created the need for more trained military personnel who can work with the units as they turn in their equipment. Above: Soldiers from the US Army Reserve-PR participate in the Expeditionary Disposal Team Training at Battle Creek, MI, as part of their support to DLA. Below: Navy Rear Adm. Patricia Wolfe, director of the Joint Reserve Force at the Defense Logistics Agency, answers questions during a short interview about her visit to Puerto Rico, Aug 3. This is where the Soldiers of the US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico are making the difference. The 1st MSC Soldiers volunteerism, willingness and enthusiasm to support the DLA mission is critical for us to be able to maintain the forward operations. I am so impressed with the Soldiers and the Sailors of Puerto Rico. The patriotism in this area of the country is great, added Wolfe. Currently there are approximately 50 Soldiers from the US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico deployed in support of the DLA mission in Afghanistan. US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico officials estimate that the support to DLA from local troops will continue in the near future.

13 14 Summer 2013 perfect location to teach diversity Fort Buchanan, PR- Soldiers and civilians from different units in the Continental United States (CONUS) and Puerto Rico, gathered to attend an Equal Opportunity Leaders Course at the 1st Mission Support Command (1st MSC), US Army Reserve- Puerto Rico headquarters, Fort Buchanan, PR, June The training was coordinated by the members of the 1st MSC Equal Opportunity (EO) team, Lt. Col. Javier Hernandez, Mr. Nestor Ramos and Sgt. 1st Class Maricela Barberi. The essence of the Equal Opportunity (EO) program is to ensure every service member is treated with dignity and respect. During this course, we provide the tools that our troops and civilians can use to manage conflicts at the lowest level of their units, said Hernandez, who is the EO Program manager at the largest US Army Reserve Command of the Caribbean. We are making history with this training, because it is the first time we open it to Soldiers and civilians from across the Army Reserve, added Hernandez. Angela D. Patterson was one of the visiting instructors, who came to Puerto Rico from the Military Intelligence Readiness Command at Fort Belvoir, VA. This is an awesome integration and collaboration effort with CONUS students, who come here to this environment and culture to be certified as EO leaders. It is also a challenge for some of the visiting instructors because some of the visual aids or clips that we bring from the States may not work here because the culture is different, said Patterson referring to the Hispanic culture of Puerto Ricans. Capt. Angela Monday, a Military Intelligence Officer from the MIRC s United States Central Command Detachment in San Antonio Texas, believes this is the perfect environment to conduct EO training. I am excited that we have the opportunity to attend this course in Puerto Rico, because now I am in a class of extremely diverse people. It is a great learning environment because we have to practice the diversity here in the classroom, said Monday. Out of the 45 students attending the course, approximately 30 percent traveled from CONUS. The course also had the collaboration from instructors traveling from the United States Army Reserve Command, North Carolina, the 200th Military Police Command in Fort Meade,Maryland and the 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, llinois, among others. Some of the topics covered in the course included the roles of an equal opportunity leader, the socialization process, the values, attitudes and behaviors, among many others subjects. The training effectively implemented the small group technique, along with practical exercises to maximize the learning experience. The EO in the Armed Forces is very important as it relates directly to readiness. According with Army Regulation , the EO Program formulates, directs, and sustains a comprehensive effort to maximize human potential and to ensure fair treatment for all persons based solely on merit, fitness, and capability in support of readiness.

14 Summer MG Lesniak Visits Puerto Rico One of the initiatives that we are taking is to stand up Army Reserve Engagement Cells on each of the combatant commands, consisting of anywhere from nine to fifteen Active Guard Reserve Soldiers. These troops will be actively involved in the future planning for exercises and for any TSC missions, added Lesniak. Maj. Gen. Glenn J. Lesniak, US Army Reserve Deputy Commanding General for Support, in uniform, met with Ambassadors Luis Berrios-Amadeo, left, and Horacio Cabrera. (US Army photo by Spec. Jonathan Sierra/Released) Fort Buchanan, PR- Maj. Gen. Glenn J. Lesniak, US Army Reserve Deputy Commanding General for Support, visited the Army Reserve troops in the island during his visit to Fort Buchanan, June During his time in the US territory, Lesniak participated in several significant events, such as the 1st Mission Support Command Yearly Training Brief, the Army s Birthday Run, the 2013 Army s Birthday Ball, as well as having a meeting with the Army Reserve-Puerto Rico Ambassadors. It s been a pleasure to be here in Puerto Rico. It is great to come back to this beautiful island and get a chance to meet more Puerto Rican Soldiers. I see that patch (Sentry Tower) at every exercise that I go to in the United States, said Lesniak during an interview, referring to the singular 1st Mission Support Command uniform patch, which depicts a Spaniard sentry tower. The military leader also had the opportunity to reflect about the future of the Army Reserve-PR, which is the largest federal US Army command in the Caribbean. The future of the Army Reserve is bright. Our Soldiers and Families have done a tremendous job supporting our active component over these last 12 years of war. Moving forward, we are working to continue solidifying relationships with the combatant commands, so we have an opportunity to stay involved with Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) missions, said Lesniak. In accordance with the Secretary of Defense Guidance, TSC refers to those activities conducted with allies and friends, to build relationships that promote specific U.S. interests, build allied and friendly capabilities for self-defense and coalition operations and provide U.S. forces with peacetime and contingency access. According to Lesniak, the United States Army Reserve Command is actively pursuing the proper regional alignment of brigades with the combatant commands. The USAR Deputy Commanding General also stated that the Army Reserve is well suited to participate in TSC missions because it is an operational organization, with a solid Armed Forces Generation and progressive readiness model that allows having 28,000 troops available every year. Lesniak also expressed his personal gratitude to the Families of the Army Reserve-Puerto Rico. My personal thanks from, both my wife Jane and me, to the Families at home for their support. We appreciate all that the Army Reserve Families have done on behalf of our mission here, during the last 12 years. The Families must know that they are valued and that we can t be successful doing our job, without their total support, said Lesniak. The US Army Reserve officer also reflected over the readiness level of the Army Reserve-Puerto Rico troops. You do a very good job managing resources very well and you definitively provide a huge significant contribution to the success of the Army Reserve, added Lesniak. The Army Reserve-Puerto Rico currently has over 300 troops mobilized in support of overseas contingency operations in Afghanistan and other countries.

15 16 Summer 2013 US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico, an Our troops operational in action force in action ON THE COVER: (From left) U.S. Army Cpl. Luis Colomadera, Spc. Benny Quinones, Sgt. Arnaldo Rosado and Cpl. Bryan Nieves, all cargo specialists with the 390th Seaport Operations Company (SPOC), secure each other while they move to a safe location after connecting a Humvee to a sling load on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during joint-service SPOC 13-2 training exercise at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Aug. 4, SPOC training integrates all aspects of Army transportation into seaport operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Marco Gutierrez/Released)