The Avenger, Issue III

THE A ENGER

VOLUME I, ISSUE III May 8, 2013

Sustainers roll from land to seaUPCOMING HOLIDAYS AND

EVENTS

Story by Sgt. William Henry, 38th Sustainment Brigade

KUWAIT NAVAL BASE, Kuwait – Bradley Fighting Vehicles idled as troops watched in awe of the U.S. Army Vessel, Maj. Gen. Robert Smalls pull up and drop ramp just off the coast of the Arabian Gulf. Troops quickly continued the exercise as the Army boat was set for loading on the roll-on roll-off ramp at Kuwait Naval Base, Kuwait, March 25. According to future operations officer, 1st Lt. Sidy Sidibe, 38th Sustainment Brigade, the exercise was an ongoing venture in a series of training maneuvers for the sustainment community in Kuwait. Sidibe helped plan and coordinate the exercise, which flexed the transportation power of sustainment units within Kuwait. “This exercise demonstrates our capabilities as a sustainment brigade. This is what we do. We provide support to our customer units wherever they want to go and take their equipment too,” said Sidibe, an Indianapolis resident. “For the Army as a whole,

we never know where we will go next. So it’s always important for to us to at least rehearse what we can do, in case we have to do it. This was one of those examples.” The 47th Transportation Company provided Heavy Equipment Transporter Systems to load and move Bradley Fighting Vehicles from Camp Buehring to Kuwait Naval Base. Motor transport operator, Spc. Jason Palicki, from South Bend, Ind. , said downloading and uploading equipment onto their trucks was important to keep the focus on battle capabilities. “The units worked very well together; we didn’t have any issues,” said Palicki. “We’ve got a talented crew, knowledgeable NCOs and a lot of good Soldiers.” The 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division played a key role in the exercise, providing the Bradley Fighting Vehicles that were moved from Camp Buehring to the watercraft positioned at Kuwait Naval Base.

Bradley Fighting Vehicles from Company A, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, get loaded on 805th Transportation Detachment, Logistics Support Vessel 8, U.S. Army Vessel, Maj Gen. Robert Smalls at Kuwait Naval Base, Kuwait, March 25, 2013. The load was a multi-unit logistics exercise to respond to rapid movement requirements.

U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. William E. Henry, 38th Sustainment Brigade

38th Sustainment Brigade

Kuwait Average

1 U.S. Dollar = 0.28 Kuwaiti Dinar3.64 Qatari Riyal

48.12 Kyrgyzstan Som53.04 Afghan Afghani

PRECIOUS METALSPER TROY OUNCE

GOLDFloor $1,467.60

Electronic $1,482.20SILVER

Floor $23.83Electronic $24.28

PLATINUMFloor $1,500.20

Electronic $1,518.70

MAY High 101Low 75

JUNEHigh 110Low 81

Qatar Average

May High 100Low 77

Manas AB Average

MayHigh 74Low 51

WEATHER AVERAGES FOR REGIONSJune

High 106Low 81

juneHigh 84Low 59

Money MarketAs of May 3, 2013

Indiana AverageWeather

May High 72Low 52

juneHigh 81Low 61

May is National Asian-Pacific

American Heritage Month

Mother’s Day - May 12

Memorial Day - May 27

Father’s Day - June 16

Independence Day - July 4

BOATS Continued on Page 6

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Avengers, Avengers love their sports; whether on the sideline cheering for their team or playing the game. As we enter the home stretch of the deployment, I want to challenge you to keep striving to do your best and continue the mission. We need to finish the game as strong as we did in the first quarter. I am proud of all you have done so far during the deployment. We were and continue to be half the team, but four times as strong. As we enter into the seventh inning stretch, we need to work hard and keep our heads in the game. Soon, you will notice new faces with the wonderful 371st Sustainment Brigade patch. As we prepare for our new arrivals, we need to hit a home run by providing a good Relief In Place so they can have a smooth transition. As our motto states - “Avengers, Never Quit”. Avenger 6

Hey Avengers, It’s getting hot here and the fitness activities have increased. With that comes an increase in 5k’s and marathons. Let’s remember that just like the running events, we don’t sprint the entire race. We don’t have to sprint thru the end of the mission. Let’s make sure to keep our minds focused and level. We still have to take care of ourselves and our battle buddies, so that we go home better than when we arrived. We have to stay fully engaged to the best of our capabilities, until we arrive home. Taking care of one another is how we do that.Avenger 7-OUT!

Command Corner

Col Deedra Thombleson38th Sustainment Brigade Commander

CSM Karolyn Peeler38th Sustainment BrigadeCommand Sergeant Major

The Avenger is a product of the U.S. Army’s, 38th

Sustainment Brigade based at Camp Arifjan,

Kuwait.

Layout and designSgt. William E. Henry

Lead EditorSgt. 1st Class

Tina R. Eichenour

ContributorsSgt. 1st Class

Tina EichenourSgt. William E. Henry

38 SB Chaplain Maj. Jim Staggers

Spc. Danielle Leach,143 CSSB

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Additional information from the brigade commander for families of Soldiers who will or wish to extend:

As we prepare to redeploy home, some Soldiers have expressed a desire to voluntarily extend their tour here in theater. The time frame for their extension is mission dependent. Please keep in mind that the Soldier’s decision to extend is strictly voluntary and should be made in consultation with family members. Deployments and extensions can be stressful on family relationships and it is incumbent that Soldiers assess any impact an extension of the original deployment obligation may have upon his or her family relationships.

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Camp ArifjanZone 1 Worship ScheduleContact 318-430-1364 or 1365 for additional informationRoman Catholic Catholic Mass Sun 1200Confessions After Mass or by appoinmentCatholic Daily Mass Mon - Fri 1145ProtestantAngelican Worship Service Fri 1600 Inspirational Worship Service Fri 1900Traditional Worship Service Sun 0830Contemporary Protestant Service Sun 1000Inspirational Worship Service Sun 1400 Bible Study Inspirational Bible Study Wed 1930

Zone 6 Worship ScheduleContact 318-430-7476 or 480-0005 for additional informationRoman Catholic – Chapel Catholic Mass Sat 1700Confessions (prior to Mass) Sat 1600-1645Protestant Worship Service – Chapel Traditional Protestant Sun 0900Contemporary Service Sun 1100Sunday Night Liturgical Sun 1700Kabbalat Shabbat (Jewish Service) – Chapel AnnexKabbalat Shabbat (Jewish Service) Fri 1830Other Services – Chapel AnnexLatter Day Saints Sun 0830 Church of Christ Sun 1130Open Circle ( Wiccans ) Wed 1900Bible Studies & Religious Classes – Chapel/Chapel AnnexLatter Day Saints Scripture Study at Chapel Annex Tue 1900Financial Peace University Studyat Chapel Wed 1900Church of Christ Bible Studyat Chapel Annex Thu 1900

By Chaplain Maj. Jim Staggers, 38th Sustainment Brigade Chaplain

Since stepping foot in Kuwait, your Soldiers have had a renewed passion for exercise. Aside from the necessity to prepare for an Army Physical Fitness Test, many have taken their fitness to new levels. Soldiers within the brigade have run dozens of races ranging from 5Ks to ultramarathons logging thousands of miles. Additionally, your loved ones have participated in Zumba, bike riding, backpacking, weightlifting, and martial arts. I am not writing to you about all of the physical benefits of exercise—this will be evident when you see your Soldier for the first time on Indiana soil. I want to highlight that there are spiritual benefits to exercise too. I spoke to the brigade that our lives must have balance—body, mind, and spirit. Think of these attributes as the three legs of a stool. With only two legs, one could balance on them but would eventually get tired or fatigued falling over. We must maintain a balance among the three for a healthy life. Science has shown that exercise can help create new synapses in the brain. This can help awaken us to a higher consciousness and to feel more connected within. Furthermore, exercise can detox our bodies of the impurities of processed foods. I would take this step even further. I believe that exercise can also detox our minds of poisonous thoughts. I often recommend that Soldiers “go for a run” to clear their minds. We can let our minds wander from thought to thought during running while recognizing the connection of those thoughts—this is mindfulness. When we are mindful of thoughts, we can prioritize the important things in our lives. Exercise is a great means to move our bodies away from stagnation. Push away from your desk; exercise will remove any energy blocks that hinders you from full performance. Even those of us of faith can at times forget that we are spiritual beings and that God resides within us. Exercise helps to release hormones that regulate our inner consciousness. When the endocrine system is out of whack, we lose sight of the light of higher consciousness. Begin to combine physical workouts such as yoga with meditation or running with mindfulness training. Remember, in order to experience the connection with the divine here on Earth, we need our bodies. Let’s strive to keep our bodies healthy and maintain that balance not only now, but following our redeployment.

Exercise for the body, mind, soul

Warriors and Worship

Chaplain Maj. Jim Staggers extinguishes a candle flame during Good Friday services at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Friday, March 30, 2013.

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U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tina R. Eichenour, 38th Sustainment Brgade

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Left: Modern Army Combatives Program Level 1 students, Spc. Tara A. Gutierrez and Staff Sgt. Rachel N. Jensen, practice their new skills on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The two 38th Sustainment Brigade Soldiers were part of the first class that the instructors from 47th Transportation Company taught during their deployment to Kuwait.

Modern Army Combatives Program Level 1 instructor, Staff Sgt. Frank ‘Ricky’ Rodriguez, shows a mount position during a block of instruction on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Rodriguez, a motor transport operator with the 47th Transportation Company, has been teaching the combatives course since 2009.

Above: Modern Army Combatives Program Level 1 instructors and students pose for a class photo during the 40-hour long course Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The 47th Transportation Company’s instructors are teaching the course every other week until the end of their deployment in late summer.

News

Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Tina Eichenour, 38th Sustainment Brigade

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - As voices echo out chanting ‘fear none, destroy all’ from a tent called the ‘fight house’ on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, a passer-by would wonder what was happening inside. For the Soldiers, who enter the fight house quickly find out on the first day of Modern Army Combatives Program Level 1, this is not like other fight clubs. The program is designed to build fighting skills for close-combat enemy engagement. “MACP is not about beating Soldiers up, contrary to some misguided beliefs. It’s about the Soldier having the intestinal fortitude to close the distance and impose their will upon the enemy combatant,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher M. Kidwell, the lead instructor. MACP instructors from the 47th Transportation Company, Fort Bliss, Texas, are hosting the program for the entire 38th Sustainment Brigade every two weeks until the unit re-deploys back to Texas late this summer. Kidwell, from Dallas, has instructed more than 30 MACP classes since 2005. During his time as an instructor, he has also fought in five fights at Fort Hood, representing 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. With Kidwell’s skills and experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge to students in the MACP classes that he is instructing for the brigade. “The instructors will talk and walk the

students though until the instructors and students are confident that they are familiar with the drill or movement being instructed,” said Kidwell. “The students will then practice the drill until the instructor is satisfied that each and every student is conducting the drill safely and correctly.” Staff Sgt. Frank ‘Ricky’ Rodriguez, instructor from Binghamton, N.Y., has been in two combatives tournaments at Fort Bliss, Texas, and the All Army Combatives Tournament. Rodriguez, who has been instructing since 2009, explained they take a step-by-step instructing approach so “students gain the knowledge of basics of defense and offense on the ground.” “We make sure to review over and over until they can effectively teach us back the techniques,” said Rodriguez. “Also there are drills they perform to engrain the technique in their heads.” Students go through various movements, techniques and drills during the 40-hour MACP course. The instructors provide the in-person instruction and visual handouts giving the students the ability to pass an evaluation on the last day of the course. “I would like the students to have achieved a since of new found confidence,” said Kidwell. “Some Soldiers may have never been in a fight in their life. If, god forbid, they had to engage any enemy combatant in close quarters, they have the tools and know-how to get the job done.”

Co batives level: Ar y

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Story by by Spc. Danielle Leach, 143rd CSSB

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - The Soldiers of the 191st Combat Sustainment Support Bat-talion finished the relief in place and transfer of authority with Soldiers from the 143rd CSSB, before heading back home after their nine month deployment to Kuwait. Connecticut Army National Guard’s 143rd, headquartered in Waterbury, took over the mis-sion from the Army Reserve’s 191st, based out of Fort Douglas, Utah, at Camp Arifjan, Ku-wait, April 5. The 143rd will work in support of Operation Enduring Freedom under the 38th Sustainment Brigade. Soldiers of the 191st trained their counterparts using a process called relief in place. The outgo-ing unit addressed key areas with the incoming unit such as equipment training, theater unique briefings, and key leader meetings to better pre-pare them for the mission. The time spent with the 191st gave Soldiers from the 143rd a chance to see what their jobs will entail. “The 191st CSSB was a very knowledgeable group and were well prepared for the hand off. I believe it all went smoothly and as a result, our unit is ready to take on the task at hand,” said Staff Sgt. Alicia Creighton, human resources as-sistant from Wolcott, Conn. During the ceremony Lt. Col. James Groark, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Chris-topher Beyer, of the 191st, passed the mission responsibilities to Lt. Col. Thomas Dennis, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Orlando

143rd CSSB assumes command in Kuwait

Anderson, of the 143rd. “I would like to thank Lt. Col. Groark and his team for an excellent RIP,” said Dennis. “I want to take this opportunity to challenge the Soldiers of the 143rd CSSB. Continue with the excellent work that the 191 has done. Do the best that you can and get better every day.” Command Sgt. Major Orlando Anderson said he feels his team is fully capable to take over

Connecticut Army National Guard’s, Lt. Col. Thomas Dennis and Command Sgt. Major Orlando Anderson uncase the 143rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion colors at the transfer of authority ceremony Friday, April 5, 2013, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The 143rd took over the OEF mission from the 191st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tina R. Eichenour, 38th Sustainment Brigade

38th Sustainment Brigade Soldier, Staff Sgt. Heather Smiechowski, helps Troy Buck, a civilian contractor, as he turns in his body armor, protective plates and combat helmet at the Inceptor Body Armor Warehouse located at Ali As Salem Air Base Life Support Area, Kuwait, March 12, 2013. Smiechowski is the IBA Warehouse non-commissioned officer in charge.

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their mission at Camp Arifjan. “The 191st CSSB did excellent work over the past 9 months,” said Anderson. “As with all Connecticut Army National Guard units that have deployed over the past 10 years in sup-port of Operation Enduring Freedom, the 143rd CSSB is fully prepared and ready for the mis-sion at hand.”

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Tina Eichenour

ALI AS SALEM AIR BASE, Kuwait - With the budget cuts, down-sizing the military presence in Afghanistan, and operating under budget con-straints, the U.S. Army has been making chang-es at bases in Kuwait, especially at the Inceptor Body Armor Warehouse located at Ali As Salem Air Base Life Support Area. In late 2012, Soldiers from the 38th Sustain-ment Brigade and the 47th Transportation Com-pany took over warehouse operations that were previously ran by contractors saving taxpayer dollars. Approximately $4 million a year is be-ing saved according to Staff Sgt. Heather L. Smiechowski, IBA Warehouse non-commis-sioned officer in charge “We replaced 36 contractors at the end of No-vember with a team of 14 Soldiers that were not trained as supply warehouse workers but took on the task,” said Smiechowski. “We have been able to streamline the processes implementing regulations to improve the processes from what the contractors were doing.” The warehouse personnel receive IBA with ballistic plates and combat helmets from civil-ians, military and contracted government work-ers as they come in and out of the LSA. The customers are heading home from their tours of work in the region or going and coming from rest and relaxation leave and emergency leave through the Theater Gateway located at the LSA.

“Most of our customers are transitioning through from Afghanistan, mainly on R and R leave, they are our biggest customers,” said Smiechowski. Smiechowski explained that with the down-sizing of troops and contractors in Afghanistan and Kuwait area, the flow of customers has slowed down from, “approximately a thousand a month last year at this time, to approximately 100 customers a month now.” The warehouse does more than just store the IBAs with plates and combat helmets. When a customer comes in, whether on leave or at the end of their tour, their plates are exchanged for new ones.

Army personnel take charge of warehouse operations

“The old plates are turned in to be inspected to be determined if the plates are serviceable or unserviceable. If the plate is unserviceable, it is sent to California for repair or to be destroyed. This process happens for every plate that comes into the warehouse,” said Smiechowski. According to 1st Lt. Matthew Young, IBA Warehouse officer in charge, the Soldiers have learned multiple skills at the warehouse. “The Soldiers of the 38th Sustainment Bri-gade and the 47th Transportation Company have gained an exponential amount of experience, and knowledge by working at this installation,” said Young. “They will be able to carry it with them throughout their Army careers.”

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...BOATS Continued

Lew Wallace, 11th Indiana Volunteer Infantry

News

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Company commander, Capt. Anthony Thies, Company A, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, said with this type of operation, mechanized infantry units like his can land in any country that has a beach or an established port. “It greatly expands our ability to go anywhere, at anytime with any force composition,” said Thies, from Des Moines, Iowa. “This is an excellent exercise that we should probably do a lot more often. This is the first time in my 20-year career actually doing this. It just expands our capability and unit knowledge on how to do these operations.” Army mariners from the 805th Transportation Detachment, Logistics Support Vessel 8, provided their vessel, to load at the Kuwaiti base. The large watercraft pulled up and dropped its ramp, and the vehicles were systematically loaded for fast deployment out of the vessel. Army mariner Staff Sgt. Bennett Hansen, LSV-8 boatswain, said his job is to oversee the main deck operations to include safety, maintenance and loading. He said the land and sea teams worked very well together during the exercise despite having very little prior experience and training together. “Everything went really smooth,” said Hansen, who is stationed with the 805th Trans. Det. in Tacoma, Wash. “Moving some machinery onboard like that is fun. It’s good to work with the Bradley operators. They like seeing the boat and we like seeing their Bradleys, so hopefully we can have some more teamwork like this.” Task Force Vulcan commander, Brig. Gen. Donald Tatum, 135th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), visited the Soldiers participating in the exercise and went aboard the LSV-8. His task force manages most of the units that participated in the event and said he was pleased to see the solidarity of the Soldiers and swiftness of the move.“I couldn’t be more pleased with the speed, teamwork and professionalism these Soldiers have shown to complete this exercise,” said Tatum. “Troops maintain their operational abilities with training events like these. It better prepares U.S. forces for movement anywhere in the world. These events help keep our operations ready for anything.”

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Tina R. Eichenour, 38th Sustainment Brigade

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Service members currently deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, have a unique resource to help with the five pillars of resiliency, a diversified resiliency team. The 38th Sustainment Brigade Resiliency Team doesn’t only manage a center for troops to gather and relax, but also trains service members on resiliency throughout all stages of their deployment. The team works at the Zone 6 Resiliency Center, which provides a space for service members to enjoy a cup of coffee, a movie, a book, care package items and even massage chairs. “We maintain 18 hour daily operations, and offer a variety of activities such as movie nights, game nights, yoga classes, and visits with animals,” said Master Sgt. Michael Martin, 38th SB master resilience trainer. “We provide personal hygiene items, snacks, coffee and various other items. There are massage chairs, TV’s, video games, books and other amenities at the center.” The team also focuses on the spiritual and emotional pillars of resiliency by offering alternative services for troops, such as mental and emotional guidance and counseling. “In addition to our resiliency staff, the center

also houses many other helpful personnel such as chaplains, sexual assault response coordinator, sexual harassment and assault response and prevention representative, and an equal opportunity advisor,” said Martin. Throughout the deployment, the resiliency team has provided important training to the 38th Sustainment Brigade Headquarters Company and other units within the brigade. The training has included classes on suicide prevention, reintegration skills for troops returning home, and resilience training assistant courses. “For the resilience program, Master Sgt. Martin and myself work to provide all mandatory, unit-level resilience program training,” said Maj. Christina Dean, 38th SB resilience officer in charge and sexual assault response coordinator. The resiliency center and team continues to provide services and opportunities for service members to build on their own resiliency. “I think the Soldiers that partake in the Resiliency Center services are getting a sense of personal resilience that covers the five pillars of resilience, family, physical, spiritual, social, and emotional, through our ongoing support of their needs in a proactive, up-front manner,” said Dean. “We offer various resources to Soldiers that are available to them throughout Camp Arifjan, but we also offer them with ways to relax, improve their communication skills, and to network with others while stationed here.”

Team offers resilience to deployed troops

Master Sgt. Michael Martin and Maj. Christina Dean, 38th Sustainment Brigade resiliency Soldiers, perform a skit about communication during a resiliency expo at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Saturday, April 6, 2013. The skit outlined how the lives at home and abroad are handled and addressed through communication.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William E. Henry, 38th Sustainment Brigade

Maj. Gen. Lewis Wallace, commanding general of Indiana’s 11th Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Story copied from: http://ehistory.osu.edu/uscw/features/regimental/indiana/union/11thIndiana/history.cfm

The 11th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment was organized at Indianapolis on April 25, 1861, for a three month term of service, then reorganized and mustered-in for the three years’ service on August 31, 1861, with Col. Lewis Wallace as its commander. In the early days of the war many regiments assumed identities to distinguish them from others being organized. The 11th was recognized as a Zouave regiment similar to famous regiments of the same name that fought in the French armies. Zouaves wore distinctly colorful uniforms that clearly set them apart from their counterparts. At the war’s start, Lew Wallace was appointed by Governor Oliver P. Morton as the Adjutant General of Indiana. The son of a former Indiana governor, Wallace was a gifted Hoosier. He was a lawyer, veteran and statesman. All of this long before he would be known as the author of “Ben Hur”. He resigned his post to command the 11th Indiana Infantry Regiment that was one of the first six regiments raised by the state for the war. On May 8, 1861, two stands of colors were given to the

Zouaves during a memorable ceremony. They were the gifts of the ladies of Indianapolis and Terre Haute. With much cheering and singing of patriotic songs, the banners were given to Colonel Wallace by a Mrs. Cady who had embroidered the eagle on the Regimental colors. After graciously accepting the flags and expressing his gratitude to the ladies, Colonel Wallace turned and dramatically presented the colors to this regiment. “Boys, then, will you ever desert the banners that have been presented to us today?” he asked. The Zouaves splendidly clad responded with a deafening, “Never! Never!” In one of the most dramatic scenes ever witnessed on the Statehouse Square, the Colonel ordered his men to their knees to swear they would never desert the flag of their country or their regimental colors. Five years later, Major General of the Union Army, Col. Wallace had the honor and responsibility of presenting the Civil War Battle Flags of Indiana’s regiments to the State of Indiana for safekeeping. His words on that occasion to Governor Morton were: “...I have the honor to give you back their flags, with the request that measures be taken by the next General Assembly to preserve them immemorially. ...Put them away tenderly.”

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Preparing crucial delivery for combat troops

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Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Tina R. Eichenour.

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Throughout the night Soldiers from the 38th Sustainment Brigade worked to ensure operational supplies were properly loaded for combat troops in Afghanistan on March 8, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The Soldiers who participated said the operational rations load was crucial for troop’s well being and time sensitive because of the size of the delivery. “About 40 pallets of operational rations were packaged to be delivered to the ground forces stationed at Bagram and Kandahar, Afghanistan,” said Warrant Officer Aysu Cesmebasi, food service warrant officer from Lyndhurst, N.J., assigned to the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). Operational supplies and food items, such as crab legs packaged in dry ice and meals ready to eat, were loaded onto pallets for delivery.

Staff Sgt. James Mosier, general supply non-commissioned officer in charge of the mission, said the process can take several hours. “We have a 48-hour window to get the packaged supplies to our fellow troops in Afghanistan,” said Mosier. Delivery trucks arrived at the supply yard, the supplies were quickly unloaded with forklifts. The forklift operators maneuvered the pallets of supplies onto aluminum air-cargo pallets. As the pallets were placed in a staging area, the Soldiers wrapped the pallets in protective plastic and strapped down with nets to hold down the cargo. Soldiers ensured the pallets were secure enough for air travel. “It feels good to support our battle buddies in Afghanistan and make them more comfortable in their jobs while performing our support roles,” said Spc. Robert Reidenbach, 38th Special Troops Battalion operations specialist, from South Bend, Ind.

Spc. Robert Reidenbach, foreground, 38th Special Troops Battalion operations specialist, and Staff Sgt. Dameion Brownlee, 38th Sustainment Brigade radio telephone operator, work to secure cargo netting around a pallet containing meals ready to eat, Friday, March 8, 2013, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. A team of Soldiers, from the 38th Sustainment Brigade, situate cargo netting on pallets of operational supplies to deliver

to troops in Afghanistan, Friday, March 8, 2013, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The pallets contain crab legs packaged in dry ice, nutritional supplies and meals ready to eat.

Staff Sgt. James Mosier, a general supply Soldier in charge of the operational rations load mission, inspects the operational rations that were secured with netting by Soldiers of the 38th Sustainment Brigade, Friday, March 8, 2013 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Soldier works to supply Kuwait missionStory by Sgt. William E. Henry, 38th Sustainment Brigade

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - A Soldier deployed to Kuwait has been making sure units get much needed supplies and gear, which aids missions. Indiana National Guardsman Spc. Gregory Minns, Seymour, Ind., is the Standard Army Retail Supply System Level 2 manager for the 38th Sustainment Brigade at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Minns is a unit supply specialist who tracks and manages order requests through the SARRS ordering system. He assists unit’s requests for materials. He said some items above a certain dollar amount or items that are not permissible can get refused. “Units can order anything from an aircraft engine to a light bulb, mostly repair parts” said Minns, but maintains that some items are not available to order. “Every now and then you’ll get an item that’s on a black list and you’ll have to deny.” Even though he is very knowledgeable in supply, he said he is still learning different aspects of the logistics field from mentors within his department. “I’m gaining a lot of knowledge because there are a lot of very knowledgeable people here. That’s something I really like about the Guard,” said Minns. “Everyone comes from different backgrounds in military jobs and civilian jobs.” His supervisor, Staff Sgt. James Mosier, Detroit, Mich., said Minns is a motivated individual who dedicates extra time to volunteering for special projects like troop supply packing, extra training and certification within his career field. “He approaches every task in the same way. That kind of consistency is valuable to leaders,” said Mosier. “We don’t have to do any workarounds, it doesn’t apply to Minns. He’s good at anything.”


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THE A ENGER Health and Resiliency

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Above: Sgt. 1st Class Donna Rook, 38th Sustainment Brigade, runs during a resiliency 5k at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Saturday, April 6, 2013. Left: 2nd Lt. John Sheehan, 38th Sustainment Brigade, throws a softball during an enlisted versus officer softball game at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Friday, March 29, 2013.Below left: 1st Lt. Clint Stucker helps his team pull for the win during a tug-of-war challenge at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Friday, March 29, 2013.Below: Lt. Col. Kevin Vedder, deputy commander for the 38th Sustainment Brigade, jumps to hit a volleyball during a game at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Friday, March 29, 2013.,





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As we prepare to redeploy, and you are considering things to do after you get home, look into Outward Bound. They offer absolutely free wilderness and adventure trips for military veterans, just provide them with required documents. You do not have to spend a dime on the trip itself. You may have to buy a few supplies for yourself, but the airfare, hotel and food are provided by the program. These trips are only for the veterans, not for spouses or children. The following is information taken from: http://www.outwardbound.org/veteran-adventures/outward-bound-for-veterans-home/ About Outward bound for veterans Outward Bound for Veterans helps returning service members and recent veterans readjust to life at home through powerful wilderness courses that draw on the healing benefit of teamwork and challenge through use of the natural world. Servicemen and veterans take part in wilderness expeditions that are physically, mentally and emotionally challenging in order to build the self-confidence, pride, trust and communication skills

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The Avenger, Issue III

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