Hellraisers

HHB, 1-14 FA, OCTOBER 2013 Newsletter

Soldiers of the Hellraiser Battery continue to display their professionalism and hard work despite heavy workloads and de-manding requirements. Soldiers like SPC Machuca, SPC Baker, SPC Esposito, and SPC Roderiques represented the battery by being nominated as the battery Steel Warriors of the Week. The success of our mission is due to the hard work and technical abili-ties of Soldiers like these.

We continue to remain very busy with training and life

support activities. Over the last month, HHB participated in the execution of the first ever joint Live Fire Exercise with the Emirati 97th Heavy HIMARS Battalion. Soldiers were excited and moti-vated as they performed their war time mission of firing HIMARS rockets. The event enhanced our partnership with the Emirati HI-MARS Battalion and allowed the Steel Warriors to showcase our ability to provide timely and accurate rocket fires.

The medical section continues to provide monthly combat

life saver (CLS) training and certification along with maintaining the daily health and care of the Soldiers in the battalion. The com-munications shop has performed an outstanding job maintaining and enhancing our ability to communicate across the CENTCOM theater. Finally, the battalion Fire Direction Center (FDC) main-tains the ability to provide lethal fires in support of CENTCOM, should we be called upon.

This month, Soldiers were given the opportunity to visit

the Atlantis resort on the Palm Jumeria, which offers many amenities to its visitors. They also experienced some of the cul-ture that Dubai has to offer during a cultural awareness trip led by the battalion Chaplain. These are truly fabulous trips that allow the Soldiers time to relax and experience some of the activities available in Dubai.

The Family Readiness Group has been extremely busy,

as usual this month, by supporting events like the Brigade Little Leaders Day and other fundraising events. We truly appreciate the outstanding volunteers that support our Families and Soldiers.

1SG Kevin Carter CPT Brandon McKean

HELLRAISER 7 HELLRAISER 6

WARRIOR OF THE

WEEK NOMINEES

SPC Machuca

SPC Baker

SPC Esposito

SPC Roderiques

PROMOTIONS

SGT Black to SSG

PV2 Harmon to PFC

PFC Geisler to SPC

PFC Haskin to SPC

PFC Tanchyk to SPC

WLC

No Soldiers in WLC

BIRTHDAYS

October-

SGT Osipov 10th

November-

PFC Thomas Harmon 2nd

SSG Robert Jones 2nd

SGT David Woodward 6th

SPC Robert Weldon 10th

SPC Joseph Haskin 12th

SFC Kirk Hazell 13th

SFC Amy Larsen 13th

MAJ David Freeman 17th

1LT Christopher Smith 21st

SGT Matthew Mathis 22nd

SGM Jason Mullennix 22nd

SPC Joshua Abell 25th

Hellraiser

Photos

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1-14 FAR Soldiers dine while at the LFX site in UAE

HIMARS launchers firing at the Joint Live Fire Exercise

Photo by: SPC Davila Leon (Bravo)

SPC Esposito emplaces a

satellite antenna

SPC Machuca assisting

in setting up at the Live

Fire site

SPC Milzarski performing maintenance

on communications equipment

SPC Abell conducts preventative maintenance,

checks, and services on his HMMWV

Alpha Battery Soldiers made history in October as the first ever HIMARS live fire took place in the southern desert of the United

Arab Emirates (UAE). The Assassin Battery worked with members of the Emirati 97th Heavy Artillery Regiment to, not only certify both

units, but ensure a safe and fun live fire experience. Giant sand dunes, the size of mountains surrounded the live fire site; members of both

the Emirati and American units took turns racing up the sides during free time. During the live fire, a large herd of camels stumbled across

the Battery, temporarily halting operations. It was the first time that many of the Soldiers got “up-close” with the animals, which are the

staple of the Emirati agriculture. In all, Alpha Battery fired 24 rockets safely, certifying all eight launchers and two fire direction centers.

On Camp Redleg, Alpha Battery is busy shooting smaller munitions. Most recently, the Assassins conducted a Battalion M9

Pistol qualification range. This range granted 2LT Gina Knapp the opportunity of running her first range, since joining Alpha from HHB.

After qualifying with M9s, Australian Navy Chief Petty Officer Nickolai Rofe arrived at the range with his Steyr AUG rifle and Browning High

Power pistol. Several members of the Assassin Battery fired both Australian weapons. The Steyr AUG looks like something out of a sci-fi

movie, but fires the same ammunition (.223 cal./5.56mm) as the M16 and M4’s that Alpha Soldiers use. It proved an interesting and fun

demonstration of allied capabilities. In the coming weeks, Alpha Battery will begin its “TOP GUN” firing competition. The event will place

the unit’s best marksmen in a competition designed to test accuracy with their assigned weapon and how well they can perform under

pressure with time constraints. The winner will be declared in November.

When not running ranges, Alpha Battery Soldiers are tasked for base defense. In October, the battery conducted its first base

defense exercise. The exercise required the participation of the entire unit, and was a test of readiness as the unit transitions from a fires

battery to a security unit. Alpha battery is also working to enhance the security measures on Camp Redleg, making the base safer for all

Soldiers and civilians on the compound.

Soldiers on this deployment have the opportunity to attend Warrior’s Leader Course in Kuwait. So far, Alpha Battery sent 12

Soldiers: SGT Chester Chapman, SPCs Andrew Campbell, Zachary Cowles, Noah Liebel, Joshua Holmes, Devin Townsend, William Tro-

wer, Quantavius Benton, Kevin Blieka, Jeremy Brandau, Ryan Syharath, and Sean Springs. SPC Springs earned a spot on the comman-

dants list at his WLC class, placing in the top 20 percent of a class of 125 Soldiers from all over the Army. He also served as the class First

Sergeant during the last week of the course. Big congratulations to all the Soldiers of Alpha Battery who attended the course!

October will end with the second installment of Al-Minhad Airbase Adventure Race. 12 Alpha Battery Soldiers in four teams will

compete against other American, Australian, British and Kiwi teams.

1SG Robert Terrill CPT Sean Grevious

ASSASSIN 7 ASSASSIN 6

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ASSASSINS

A L P H A , 1 - 1 4 F A , O C T O B E R 2 0 1 3

ASSASSINS

SGT Robinson and

SPC Jordan posing

with the camels

On the firing line with an Alpha

Platoon Sergeant, SSG Lund

A

L

P

H

A

Perfect form!

SGT Robinson and

SPC Jordan posing

with the camels

Alpha Soldiers loading rocket pods in preparation for

the LFX

October offered no rest for the weary, as Bravo Battery immediately transitioned from the Live Fire Exer-cise, with our Emirati allies, into a busy month of training and improving the HIMARS mission which we transi-tioned to from Alpha Battery. 1

st Platoon immediately went to work the first week of October, planning and exe-

cuting the battalion’s fly away package; which also allowed 2LT Christopher Robbins his first experiences as a Firing Platoon Leader. While 1

st Platoon was busy scrubbing manifests and checking packing lists, 2

nd Fires was

simultaneously executing an ARCENT level mission ensuring they were prepared to accomplish any mission the Army may call on them for. When the dust cleared, the Blackhorse Battery came out on top, having flawlessly executed both missions above the standard set by Alpha Battery. The next week brought another flurry of activity within the Battery as both Firing Platoons trained for and completed their “Best-By-Tests”. These tests check the basic skills of the launcher crews and Fire Direction Cen-ters (FDC) of each Firing Platoon and serve as a friendly competition between the Firing Batteries for bragging rights over their peers in the battalion. This week SPC Stephen Popek was awarded the prestigious Warrior of the Week award for his outstanding efforts in the 1

st Fires FDC and for stepping up to brief an Operations Order

for a battery training exercise. Finally, 1

st Fires launcher B31 was selected to set up a static display for Major General Pittard, the AR-

CENT Deputy Commander. SSG Nunez and his crew, SGT Thornton and SPC Knish, opened their HIMARS up and gave the General a tour of its systems and briefed him on its capabilities during the Deputy Commander’s tour of Camp Redleg. MG Pittard awarded coins to the B31 crew for their professionalism and expertise following the presentation. MG Pittard also awarded SPC Popek a coin for his Warrior of the Week success. The Battery also is proud to say we have graduated two of our Soldiers from Warrior Leaders Course (WLC), SPC Sean Briethaupt and SPC Brian Daniel. Completing WLC is required to be eligible for promotion into the NCO ranks and has set these two excellent Soldiers up for success as they look to further their Army careers. Things have finally started to calm down as November approaches and everyone has settled into a good rhythm for operations training. With the “light at the end of the deployment tunnel” getting brighter all the time, the thought of getting back home to friends and Family has been a constant morale booster. Bravo now looks for-ward to participating in “Adventure Race: Part Two” on Halloween and keeping our momentum going through the month of November. 1SG Michael McLaughlin 1LT Jeffrey Wilson

BLACKHORSE 7 BLACKHORSE 6

BLACKHORSE

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BLACKHORSE

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1st Fires Platoon poses after a

job well done on the AMDEX

ARCENT exercise

CPL Kerley briefs a Battery OPORD for a

training exercise on a sand table

SGT Dickson

during Modern

Army

Combatives

MG Pittard shakes hand of SSG Nunez and

the crew of B31 for the static display

Ammo Crew Members off loading pods

for the AMDEX ARCENT Exercise

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Phoenix Warriors and Families, Six months of deployment completed this month! This is a great accomplishment that each and every one of you should be proud of. We are in the home stretch. Let’s keep up the positivity, hard work, and support from both the family members and the Soldiers. The FRG has been phenomenal! They have raised over $1,400 for 578th in the last six months! This money is used to fund FRG activities to include the “Welcome Home Barbecue” we will be having after our safe return from this deployment. "Thank you" doesn’t begin to display the gratitude our leadership has for all the hard work and effort that has been put forth for the benefit of all our Soldiers and their Families. November and December bring forth a number of emotions. Many are ex-cited that the days that we have to be separated from our Soldiers are dwindling down. However, we will be spending the most family oriented holidays away from those nearest and dearest to our hearts. I encourage everyone to remain con-scious of your mental health during these times. If you need to reach out to some-one, there are a variety of options available: Military One Source, Military Family Life Consultants, the Chaplain, Primary Care Providers, Social Workers, and Army One Source. The FRG will continue planning activities and is able to assist in contacting any of these resources. If you plan on traveling out of town for more than 24 hours during the holi-days, please do not forget to notify the FRG Leader. Stay safe and be prepared for all weather conditions you may encounter. The Soldiers here continue to support the mission. They are just as eager to get home to their Families as you are. Please continue to provide encouragement and support as we complete the last leg of our mission. Phoenix families please continue to be the “foundation” for your Soldier. We could not do what we do without you. 1SG Benjamin Logsdon CPT Adrien Flonnory PHOENIX 7 PHOENIX 6

PHOENIX

Upcoming Events

NOV 05, 2013-

FRG Meeting/ Creative Card

Night at 1800 in the FRC at

BLDG 3423

NOV 08, 2013

Last day to purchase Wonder

Woman Ball tickets.

They are $15 each

NOV 14, 2013

BN FRG Meeting at 1800 in the

FRC at BLDG 3423

&

Redeployment/ Reintegration

Class in the FRC at BLDG 3423

at 1000 or 1800

NOV 22, 2013

Wonder Woman Ball at Louise D.

McMahon Hall

(inside the Museum of Great

Plains, 601 NW Ferris Ave)

DEC 2013

FRG Meeting/ TBD

&

Christmas party/ TBD

JAN 2014

FRG Meeting/ TBD

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PHOENIX

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Phoenix Soldiers moving an ECU to help

keep everyone cool

578 setting up tents for the battalion

1LT Womack saluting MAJ Posey at his

promotion to First Lieutenant

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The LNO Outlaws continue moving equipment while sending and receiving Soldiers between Kuwait and UAE. Along with our primary logistics mission, the Outlaws have been busy assisting the Battalion in scheduling schools and various training events for the Steel Warrior Soldiers.

The Outlaws supported nine Soldiers graduating the Warrior Leadership Course this month. The LNO Cell also facilitated the enrollment of four Soldiers in Sexual Harassment Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) training and four Soldiers in Signal University at Camp Arifjan. The Outlaws also supported four medics who flew up from Camp Redleg, UAE to participate in the Expert Field Medic Badge competition, which included over 130 Sol-diers from units all across Kuwait. The Outlaws recently received nine Soldiers from UAE who are preparing to enter the Warrior Leadership Course at the end of the month. These Soldiers have been working diligently to prepare themselves for the course’s rigorous standards by doing Physical Training sessions twice a day.

The Outlaws received the 1-94 Field Artillery Battalion Commander and Battalion Command Sergeant Major in Kuwait on reconnaissance for their upcoming deployment in January as the unit replacing 1-14 FAR. The Outlaws provided an outstanding presentation on the capabilities of the LNO Cell, along with the resources and assets avail-able on Camp Buehring. The team from 1-94 FAR were thoroughly impressed by the Soldiers here at Camp Buehring, along with the Outlaws hard work and dedication to the Battalion’s mission over the past six months.

The 1-14 Field Artillery Outlaw Soldiers continue to stand ready for all personnel and equipment movement down to Camp Red Leg and in and around Kuwait. The LNO Outlaws would like to congratulate the Families who welcomed new members into our Steel Warrior family, and thank the Family members back home for their selfless service and support to our Soldiers in both Kuwait and UAE.

MSG Corey Powell CPT David Dens Outlaw 7 Outlaw 6

KUWAIT

CELL LNO

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SGT Bass the Outlaw S6 attended Signal

University at Camp Arifjan earlier this month

SSG Jones, Battalion Retention NCO, has

written over forty reenlistment contracts since

April

Soon to be WLC Soldiers conduct

Physical Training for their class

The LNO Outlaws painted an American Flag

on our Gator, now called “Merica”, which is

used throughout Camp Buehring

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WORDS FROM YOUR CHAPLAIN:

The LORD is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy” (Psalm 28:7) I love the story of a tourist visiting the Grand Canyon. As he gazed in wonder at the sight before him, the tourist got too close to the edge, lost his footing and fell over the side. Just before he went out of sight, the man grabbed a scrubby bush and held on for dear life. Filled with terror, he called out toward heaven, “Is anyone up there?” A calm powerful voice came out of the sky, “Yes, there is.” The tourist pleaded, “Can you help me?” The calm voice replied, “I’m sure I can. What seems to be the problem?” The man explained, “I fell over the edge of the canyon and am now dangling in space, holding onto a bush that’s about to come loose. Please help me!” The voice said, “I will. Do you have faith?” The terrified man replied, “Yes! I have strong faith!” The voice said, “Then just let go. Everything will be fine.” There was a tense pause. The tourist then yelled, “Is there anyone else up there? The first time I heard that story, I laughed and thought, “How ridiculous!” My next thought was that I have more in com-mon with the tourist than I care to admit. -How often do I edge my way toward a dangerous cliff of disobedience and find myself giving in to temptation? -How many times have I cried out to God to rescue me from some self-made pit into which I have fallen, but dictated how I wanted to be rescued? I can’t begin to count the number of times when I have foolishly chosen to follow my plan instead of God’s plan for my life. Now that’s ridiculous. God has a unique plan for each one of us that is beyond human understanding or expectation. It is called His will. God has been making His will known from the very beginning of time. In the Garden of Eden, God revealed to Adam and Eve His will (or plan) for their lives. It is important to note that with the revealed plan God also gave Adam and Eve the choice to follow that plan because He is a loving Father and a gracious God. Knowing that His way was right, God still allowed Adam and Eve to choose the wrong way. They made the wrong choice, but He still loved them and forgave them. He will do the same for you and for me. The Bible promises that God’s plan is the best plan; the one for which we were created. Psalm 32:8 “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.” God agrees to not only show us the plan, but He also promises to provide all of the strength and resources needed to carry out that plan. His sufficient and constant power is unleashed by our choice to accept and follow Him. We were created by the One who knows us best and loves us most. There are no accidents with God. He never has to say, “Oops!” Before we were ever conceived in the heart and mind of man, we were conceived in the heart and mind of God. Wanted, loved, and planned since before the world began. He had a plan in mind and lovingly, purposefully created us in re-sponse to that plan. I know that there are days when the will of God seems completely wrong and we simply do not understand. Every mo-ment is pregnant with darkness and our hearts are numb, paralyzed by fear and doubt. We are treading water in the storm tossed sea of life, desperately longing to see Him walking on the treacherous waves toward us, rescue in His hand. It is in those shadowed moments that we must choose to trust the Plan Maker even though our faith is small, and we cannot understand the plan. His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. And one day, every one of our question marks will be yanked into exclamation points as we see that high plan as He sees it – perfect. For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT). Today, my friend set aside your meager agenda. Lay down your limited life arrangement and look for God to meet you at the point of surrender - power and victory in His hands. Now that is a great plan.

Blessings,

Chaplain Richard Hurst

chaplain

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