FORT BLISS BUGLE July 16, 2015 3A UNIT NEWS>> Training is the oil that keeps the engine of our Army running Commander presents 1st AD awards n 4A 32nd AAMDC Soldier beats toughest PT run time n 14A Department of Army looks for new pistol n 19A Photos by Sgt. Jessica Littlejohn / 24th Press Camp Headquarters Col. Peter A. Lehning, left, outgoing commander of the 31st Combat Support Hospital, and Col. George M. Kyle, right, incoming commander of the 31st CSH, stand proudly before the color guard during the unit s change of command ceremony on Memorial Field here July 1. Kyle comes to Fort Bliss from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and has more 20 years of experience. 31st CSH changes command, colonels Lehning retire By Sgt. Jessica Littlejohn 24th Press Camp Headquarters The Soldiers of 31st Combat Support Hospital said farewell to their commanding officer and welcomed a new colonel during a change of command, in conjunction with a retirement ceremony on Memorial Field here July 1. Col. Peter A. Lehning relinquished responsibility of command to Col. George M. Kyle. Lehning, along with his wife, Col. Lisa A. Lehning, deputy commander of patient services at William Beaumont Army Medical Center here, is retiring after more than 25 years of service in the Army. Kyle comes to the 31st CSH from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Col. Allan J. Darden, commander of 1st Medical Brigade, provided opening remarks and introduced the outgoing commander of 31st CSH. Lehning said he is excited for what the future brings and welcomed Kyle, the incoming commander, to the unit with open arms. Kyle brings more than 20 years of experience to the 31st CSH, having completed assignments in Germany and Maryland and multiple deployments in Iraq. A joint retirement ceremony for the colonels Lehning immediately followed the change of command ceremony. Col. Michael S. Heimall, commander of WBAMC, spoke on behalf of the Lehnings retirement and shared funny stories about working with Col. Lisa Lehning. The playful banter the Lehnings shared during their speeches was infectious to the audience and showed the love they have for one another and the Army. Col. Lisa Lehning choked up twice during her speech, playfully blaming her tears on allergies. At the end of her speech, she recited a quote from Nina Simone s, Feeling Good, and the crowd gave a standing ovation. It s a new dawn. It s a new day, Col. Lisa Lehning said. It s a new life for me, and I m feeling good. Col. Peter A. Lehning, left, outgoing commander of 31st CSH, passes the unit colors to Col. Allan J. Darden, right, commander of 1st Medical Brigade, during a change of command ceremony at Memorial Field here July 1. Col. Peter A. Lehning and his wife, Col. Lisa A. Lehning, along with their children, Hank and Zachary, stand between Col. Allan J. Darden and Col. Michael S. Heimall during a retirement ceremony for both Lehnings at Memorial Field here July 1. The Lehnings are retiring from the Army with more than 25 years of service each. Photos by Sgt. Adam Hinman / RSSB, 1st AD Public Affairs Harold Wilson, left, the supply supervisor of the 401st Army Field Support Battalion Afghanistan, receives first aid items from Spc. Daniel Correia, right, a medic with the Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade, Muleskinners, 1st Armored Division, 13th Sustainment Brigade (Expeditionary), to be distributed to the Soldiers and Department of the Army Civilians of the battalion in Afghanistan, June 27. Resolute Support Sustainment Bde. boosts civilian first aid training By Sgt. Adam Hinman RSSB, 1st AD Public Affairs BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan Medics from the Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade, Muleskinners, 1st Armored Division, ensured members of the 401st Army Field Support Battalion Afghanistan were properly trained in first aid here June 25-27. The 401st AFSB-A has a large population of Department of the Army civilians, who do not receive the level of training Soldiers do during pre-deployment training. The Muleskinners did their best to remedy this situation and provide the unit with necessary supplies. Regardless of military affiliation, role, title, or position, I believe everyone is entitled to relevant, high-quality training on life-saving interventions, said Staff Sgt. Angela A. Halling, the brigade s medical operations noncommissioned officer in charge. Halling said she is confident the team has provided DA civilians professional, thorough and handson instruction. The knowledge the civilians obtained could increase individual rates of survival while deployed overseas, Halling said. Once an artery is severed, the human body will bleed out within a matter of minutes, Halling said. Traumatic injuries don t discriminate (between Soldier and civilian first aid providers). The students saw the relevance of the class from the start. This training is important because it teaches you to save someone s life. It also teaches you how to save your own life, said Jayson Weatherington, the battalion s contract management officer. Class members took advantage of the opportunity to practice the lessons. (We had to) go through the rehearsal, the practice of applying a tourniquet should an emergency Spc. Daniel Correia, a combat medic with the Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade, Muleskinners, 1st Armored Division, 13th Sustainment Brigade (Expeditionary), lets Kevin K. Palmer, a logistics management specialist with the 401st Army Field Support Battalion-Afghanistan, apply a tourniquet in Afghanistan, June 27. Maj. Chris Q. McKindra, the brigade logistics support chief with the same battalion, watches Palmer during a class. arise, said Barry L. Tabron, the battalion s primary hand receipt holder. Correct application of the skills could result in saving a life, he said. I learned a lot, especially attention to detail, and they (the instructors) answered every question I had. The instructors were very knowledgeable, said Maj. Chris Q. McKindra, the brigade logistics support chief for the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, currently assigned to assist the 401st AFSB-A. Battalion officials established the training as an opportunity to ensure all the units in the brigade s footprint were able to get training that could save a life. The civilians were very grateful for the training. My team and I received praise in emails, in person, and in the coins we were awarded, Halling said. To know that we made a difference that s a really good feeling.