Sustainer September 2012

Riggers inspect airdrop bundles Page 6

SustainerSeptember2012

Published in the interest of Joint Sustainment Command - Afghanistan Soldiers and their Families

Medics tackle battlefield stress 0

Volume4 Sustainer September2012

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On the inside ...

Spc. Tiffany D. Major, a parachute rigger, 647th Quartermaster Detachment, secures cargo on a C-130 aircraft on August 1, 2012 at Kandahar Air-field. Cargo must be properly loaded in order to make sure it lands intact at a landing zone (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams)

The Sustainer magazine is an authorized publication for members of the DOD. Contents of Sustainer are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by,

the U.S. Government or the Department of the Army. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

Public Affairs Office.

Brig. Gen. Kristin French, Comanding General, 3d ESC

Maj. Jim Bono, Public Affairs Officer

Sgt. 1st Class Rob Strain, Sustainer Editor

Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin, Sustainer Staff WriterSgt. Candice L. Funchess, Sustainer Staff Writer

Contributing Writers: Sgt. Gregory Williams

The Sustainer staff can be reached by email at [email protected], by phone: (502) 624-8523, or by mail to 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary),

ATTN: PAO, 1747 Old Ironsides Ave, Fort Knox, KY 40121.

Commander’s CornerPage 3

The Chaplain’s OfficePage 3

Truck rodeoPage 5

KAF riggers inspect bundlesPage 6

Wounded Warrior runPage 7

Air drop mission Page 8

WLC graduationPage 9

Battlefield stress trainingPage 10

UMO rodeoPage 11

And much more ...

From the editor: Welcome to the fourth edition of Sustainer magazine - a monthly publication by the Joint Sus-tainment Command - Afghanistan Public Affairs Of-fice.

This magazine is for you - Soldiers and Fami-lies of the JSC-A. We’d like to get your feedback on the content and anything you’d like to see in future issues, so send me an e-mail, or write on our Face-book wall (www.facebook.com/3dESC).

I want to remind everyone that the deadlines for submitting absentee ballot requests are coming up soon. It is extremely important that every Soldier and Family member takes the time to vote - it is a right we defend, so we need to take the time to exer-cise that right.

Each state has different deadlines and re-quirements, so head on over to FVAP.gov to find the exact details for your home state, and as always, if you have any questions, or need any help, please let me know.

As always, be sure to keep informed through the 3d ESC and FRG Facebook pages for the latest on events and information.

Sgt. 1st Class Rob Strain Sustainer Editor

CSM’s CornerPage 4

Cooks back in the kitchenPage 13


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Joint Sustainment Command - AfghanistanBrig. Gen. Kristin French

Commander’s CornerSustainer Families and friends,

Greetings Sustainers and Families! It is hard to believe, but we are at the half-way mark on our current Afghanistan deploy-ment! As with all long deploy-ments, the first half of our time away seems to take forever, but we expect the second half to pass by a lot quicker. The good news is we are closer to returning to you, our Families and friends, at Fort Knox and elsewhere in the United States.

A lot has happened over the past thirty days and I expect more updates and modifications as we continue our deployment. The biggest change this past month is that we added another subor-dinate brigade to our formation. The 593d Sustainment Brigade, from Fort Lewis, Washington, recently arrived in Afghanistan to lead/manage selected units who are here assisting in US Forces’ retrograde/drawdown. The bri-gade is currently headquartered with us in Kandahar Airfield and oversees over 3000 newly-arrived military and civilian personnel

who are responsible for advising, assisting and processing equip-ment departing the country. All 3000+ individuals are assigned to an organization called the CENT-COM Materiel Recovery Element (CMRE). They have a lot to do, but the 593d and subordinate units are part of the first wave of logisti-cians dedicated to this task.

Along with the CMRE

forces, the remainder of JSC-A has been extremely busy with sustaining the Warfighters and facilitating the reset and redeploy-ment of personnel and equipment. On every occasion, your Soldiers have worked hard and executed missions well above their expecta-tions.

With the start of the school-year, there are many fami-ly-related programs and agencies now available on-post. I highly encourage you to use them. Also, contact our Family Readiness Support Assistant, Family Readi-ness Group POCs and 3d ESC rear detachment to ensure that you are receiving the most current information from homestation as well as updates from Afghanistan.

As always, thank you for the support you’ve showed us to date on this deployment. We ap-preciate everything. Have a great September!

Sustaining the Line! Brig. Gen. Kristin K. French

Sustainer 6

The Halfway Point

There is something spe-cial that happens to one’s psyche, one’s emotions, and sometimes even one’s spirit when they reach the half way point in any impor-tant endeavor.

I think we all have set goals in our past, that with reflec-tion, we can remember the exhila-ration that we felt when we knew that we were half way there. An example would be, if we are moti-vated about losing twenty pounds, then when ten pounds have been lost, we “know” we can make our

goal.

Once we cross that half way point, we are reminded that the journey ahead of us is shorter than the journey behind. It is at this point in which we take a deep breath, re-gather our resolve, and determine not to be stopped before the goal, the task, or the mission is accomplished.

Well JSC-A, we are at that special time in our journey. We are running the race hard, we are fighting a good fight, and the mis-sion is being accomplished. Let us resolve to finish to the end, to keep

this mission of sustainment and retrograde going strong. We have finished the first half, and the journey ahead is ours for the tak-ing. We can, we will, and we must finish strong.

We look ahead knowing now that the journey left before us is now shorter than what is behind. As a chaplain, I also know that during this journey we do not travel alone. May God, who has sustained us this far, carry us the rest of the way, until we all arrive safely at home. Mission Complete.

Chaplain VanderJagt

Chaplain David VanderJagtThe Chaplain’s OfficeJoint Sustainment Command - Afghanistan


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Command Sgt. Maj.’s CornerJoint Sustainment Command - AfghanistanCommand Sgt. Maj. Karl RobertsGreetings from Kandahar Air-field,

Team - I would like to first say thank you to the families, friends and community supporters of the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) for the continued amount of support for our Soldiers as we continue through this de-ployment.

I would also like to thank our Rear Detachment for their dedication to our forward mission and their flexibility.

We are a fortunate organi-zation to have such amazing sup-porters on our team.

We are heading into the second half of our deployment and things are rapidly changing.

As you know 3rd ESC is shifting personnel due to the drawdown of troops in theater.

Those sent to UL and those sent home are still valuable mem-

bers of the 3rd ESC team.

Because of these events, I thought it would be a good time to stress the importance of resilience.

Resiliency is basically the ability to bounce back or adjust easily from unexpected changes or issues.

Although we as Soldiers are trained to be resilient, we sometimes need a push from our support network to keep us going.

If we continue to practice resilience as one team, there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish.

Again, thank you all for your support. Remember to sus-tain the line!

Sustaining the Line! CSM Karl A. Roberts

Sustainer 7

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throughout the Army and within the JIIM environment.

Find something that worked - or didn't work? Let CALL know

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Sgt. Gregory Williams

Truckers collide at first ever KAF rodeo KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The 25th Transportation Company hosted the first ever Kandahar Airfield Truck Rodeo on August 17, 2012.

The units that participated were the 515th, 781st, 25th and 1486th Transportation Companies, whose mission is to support Joint Sustainment Com-mand- Afghanistan Soldiers throughout southern Afghanistan.

“This competition is great because it gives drivers the opportunity to prove just how good they are,” said Spc. Audrie W. Dary, a truck driver and team member with the 515th Transportation Com-pany. “The hardest thing at this competition is going to be that backward Serpentine obstacle though.”

The goal of the truck rodeo was to not only provide an opportunity for truck drivers to sharpen their skills, but to also allow the winning unit to have bragging rights and be called the best transpor-tation company at Kandahar Airfield.

“The armor on these vehicles takes away their peripheral vision and forces the drivers to use their better judgment,” said Sgt. 1st Class Rohan Duncan of the 25th Transportation Company, who was also one of the rodeo’s judges. “The rodeo is to not only provide motivation and morale, but it makes them better drivers too.”

For most Soldiers who operate both the up-armored Palletized Load System and M915 vehicles, the only opportunity to become better drivers are during convoys, which can present challenges rang-ing from tight alleys to rough terrain.

The obstacles simulated during the rodeo included the alley dock, serpentine course and a cul-

A M915 navigates through a Serpentine obstacle during the first ever Kan-dahar Airfield Truck Rodeo on August 17, 2012. The truck rodeo graded truck drivers on their maneuvering and abilities on different vehicles. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams)

minating mystery event.

To take part in the rodeo, drivers had to be licensed on both the M915 and PLS. Each transpor-tation company had the opportunity to send three personnel per vehicle type to compete in the competi-tion.

Drivers were graded by a point system de-termined by judges which included deductions for hitting cones, time taken to complete an obstacle and not following safe practices.

“These guys drive through a lot of narrow roads and bridges on their convoy routes so we’re looking at how they maneuver through the obsta-cles,” Duncan said. “This is a simulation of what they encounter out there already and 75% of the rodeo is based on judgment.”

Duncan said that competitions like this could help the government save money.

“Simple accidents cost money,” Duncan said. “People don’t realize that just like in the civilian world, broken mirrors and vehicles sideswiping each other costs money. The less accidents truck drivers have, the more money the Army saves so definitely this is still helping us train.”

Duncan said there are no losers when it comes to training because the truck rodeo brought drivers together from different Army components.

“We have active duty and National Guard out here learning from each other so regardless to who-ever wins we all had fun and this has left me feeling humble,” Duncan said.

“I’m glad we had the chance to build camara-derie with one another.”

Soldiers with the 515th Transportation Company change a Palletized Load System’s tire during the truck rodeo competition on August 17, 2012 at Kandahar Airfield. The truck rodeo’s culminating mystery event chal-lenged drivers to change a tire and load cargo on the PLS as fast as they could. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams)


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KAF riggers inspect air drop bundles KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Af-ghanistan - Work starts at 1 a.m. for a group of Soldiers with the 647th Quartermaster Detachment. As one of the Soldiers, Spc. Manu-el A. Perez, a parachute rigger with the 647th Quartermaster Detach-ment inspects a cargo load, the pitch black morning sky causes him to use a mini flashlight as he climbs on top of the 5-foot stack.

Sifting and shivering, Perez continues to inspect and tie knots on the load trying to ensure that it will pass flight inspection. If the load is rejected, the fuel will not reach the Soldiers out in the field and these days fuel is more pre-cious to them than gold.

After an hour of making sure the loads are ready for in-spection, Perez rubs his hands together and yells, “Alright, let’s move out”, signaling the riggers to move the cargo to the flight line.

“Other than working long hours I would say getting last min-ute missions are a big challenge, but hey it is what it is,” Perez said. “Passing inspection is really important because you don’t want

the load to burn in.”

When cargo that is air dropped crashes to a landing site, it is considered a burn in, which could result in wasted supplies and government dollars.

Warrant Officer Roger Bradford, an air drop systems technician with the 647th Quar-termaster Detachment, said some of the things important to the rig-gers before getting the cargo ready are the weight and quantity of the commodities a unit in the field requests.

“We have to calculate how many bundles it will take to rig the commodities and depending on how many bundles we calculate we may require multiple aircraft,” Bradford said.

In order to make sure the detachment books the right amount of aircraft and cargo doesn’t burn in, the riggers work with the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron to make sure each bundle gets to the drop zone securely.

As the two services work together to get cargo from the skies to the field, the riggers know

that air drop missions are crucial to the Soldiers in the field.

“Some of the smaller out-stations that we support can only be supplied by air drop,” Bradford said. “Not only does utilization of air drop give us the ability to ensure the war fighter receives the commodities they need, it also reduces the requirement for items to be convoyed.”

The work loads may vary and the hours may be long, but sometimes the riggers get to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

“Sometimes we get to go out in a Chinook helicopter on an air drop mission to push out our own loads so that’s always cool to do,” Perez said.

Whether the cargo is dropped out of a hovering Chinook or out of a C-130 aircraft flying thousands of feet in the air, the riggers don’t care how the cargo gets there; it just has to get there in one piece.

Spc. Tiffany D. Major, a parachute rigger with the 647th Quartermaster Detachment, ties a knot on a cargo load on August 1, 2012 at Kandahar Airfield. Parachute riggers must make sure all knots and straps are correctly tied down on each cargo load. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams)

A loadmaster with the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron signals for a cargo load to be released out of a C-130 aircraft August 1, 2012 over Southern Afghanistan. Air drop operations are conducted by the squadron in order to sus-tain troops in the field. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams)


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KAF hosts Wounded Warrior fundraiser KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – There are few causes that Soldiers, civilians and local na-tionals in a deployed environment come together in support of. Friday morning, the Joint Sustainment Command- Afghanistan Chapter of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club sponsored such a cause bringing roughly 475 participants together in support of a run for the Wounded Warrior Project here at Kandahar Airfield.

The JSC-A Chapter, headquartered by the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) based in Fort Knox, Ky., hosted a week-long fundraiser which culminated in a check presentation of nearly $11,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project and a 5k run.

Sergeant Audie Murphy Club members held several meetings to decide how to give back to the local community here on KAF. That is, after all, what the club is all about according to Sgt. 1st Class Ches-tine Sanders, the brigade operations non commis-sioned officer in charge for Headquarters and Head-quarters Company, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade and chapter secretary, originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. “The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is an elite group of NCOs that give back to the community.”

“We thought it would be a good way to let the wounded warriors know they’re not forgotten,” said Master Sgt. Wyman E. Loveless, senior enlisted advi-sor for religious support operations for JSC-A and the chapter president, originally from Lawton, Okla. “It’s one thing to say something but it sends a totally dif-ferent message when you do something for someone.”

One of the participants of the run, Sgt. 1st Class Scott D. Smith, a decorated wounded warrior from San Antonio, Texas definitely received the mes-sage. “He did a lot in his time and the club is living on in his name by supporting the rest of the wounded warriors.”

Sgt. Candice L. Funchess

The “he” Smith referred to was Sgt. Audie Leon Murphy himself. Murphy was the most deco-rated combat soldier of World War II. The advocate for veterans, was awarded the Medal of Honor for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above the call of duty.” The S.A.M.C. was founded on the principles Murphy exemplified.

The wounded warriors appreciated the sup-port the S.A.M.C. generated according to Staff Sgt. Scott Mason, the KAF Wounded Warrior Center NCOIC, originally from Rochester, N.Y. Mason at-tended the event and received the check on behalf of the center. “They [wounded warriors] were also sur-prised by the amount [of the check],” said Mason. The center plans to use the money to buy the necessary items first, such as eye protection, shower shoes and wounded warrior physical training gear.

Appreciation was the common theme from all the people involved in the event. The participants and club members were appreciative of the sacrifices the wounded warriors made. The wounded warriors were grateful for the sentiment the club members and participants showed. The club members were thank-ful for the support of the community as well.

“We want to let people know there’s no way we could’ve done this event without people’s sup-port,” said Loveless. “The amount of support we have received over this last week has been overwhelming.”

The JSC-A Chapter is scheduled to host sev-eral more events in support of soldiers in the coming months.

“It’s just about taking care of soldiers,” said Sgt. Maj. Cynthia R. Johnson, operations senior enlisted advisor for JSC-A and S.A.M.C. member. “That’s just what we do.”

Roughly 475 participants wait for the horn to start the 5K run for the Wounded Warrior Project at Kandahar Airfield Aug. 10. The run was hosted by the Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan Chapter of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Candice L. Funch-ess)

Members of the S.A.M.C. and volunteers of the event take a photo with the check that was presented in honor of the Wounded Warrior Project at Kandahar Airfield Aug. 10. The money raised will help purchase needed supplies for the wounded warriors. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Candice L. Funchess)


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10th SB coordinates air drop missions for JSC-A Soldiers


LEFT: A Soldier stands on a 25K Loader as cargo is loaded onto a Caribou aircraft on August 8, 2012 at Bagram Airfield. The 10th Sustainment Brigade coordinates with contractors to drop supplies, food and water by air to Troops in the field who fall under the Joint Sustainment Com-mand – Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams)

ABOVE: David R. Thompson, a loadmaster with Flightworks Inc., and 2nd Lt. David McDevitt, the officer in charge of air movement for the 622nd Movement Control Detachment, rig cargo loads on August 8, 2012 inside of a Caribou aircraft. The 622nd MCT helps coordinate air drop missions for Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan units who need supplies insouthern Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams)

David R. Thompson, a loadmaster with the Flightworks Inc., begins a systems check on an automatic cargo release system on August 8, 2012 inside of a Caribou aircraft. Thompson has completed 50 air drop missions as a loadmaster, helping to deliver cargo to Joint Sustainment Command – Afghanistan Soldiers and Special Forces Operational Teams. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams)


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Sustainer speaks at Third Army WLC graduationStaff Sgt. Michael Behlin

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Command Sgt. Maj. Karl A. Roberts, the senior enlist-ed advisor for Joint Sustainment Command – Afghanistan and the 3d Sustainment Command (Ex-peditionary), recently served as the guest speaker for the Third Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy’s Warrior Leader Course graduation ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait on August 6, 2012.

Roberts considered his par-ticipation in the event to be special as the Soldiers attending received the opportunity to attend a Non-commissioned Officer Education System school while deployed to a combat zone.

Roberts said he was hon-ored to have the opportunity to speak to the future leaders of the U.S. Army.

“With your graduation here, you’ve become members of a select group who’ve attended an NCOES while deployed,” Roberts told the graduating Soldiers.

Command Sgt. Maj. Karl A. Roberts, the senior enlisted advisor for Joint Sustainment Com-mand – Afghanistan and the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), recently served as the guest speaker for the Third Army Noncom-missioned Officer Academy’s Warrior Leader Course graduation ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait on August 6, 2012. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin)

“It is often said amongst us older, seasoned NCO’s that we need to get back to the basics. Here, in Warrior Leader Course, is

one of the places where you get the basics.”

Third Army’s WLC is the Army’s only forward deployed WLC course.

Over the course of 15 days, Soldiers are tested on the fun-damentals of leadership, both in and out of the classroom. Training during the course included conducting squad tactics exercises and sur-veying counter improvised explo-sive devices.

For Command Sgt. Maj. Franko J. Antolovich, the Third Army NCO Academy Comman-dant, his choice to select Roberts as guest speaker was special as he considers him a great role model for the Army’s junior leaders.

“CSM Roberts’ words of wisdom to the graduates of War-rior Leader Course Class 12-708 were especially pertinent and ap-preciated as these Soldiers take charge on the challenging journey of leadership and assume their positions as leaders in the U.S. Army,” said Antolovich.

“We thank CSM Roberts for investing his time and energy into the future of all Soldiers. He is an awesome role model for whom I have the utmost respect and admi-ration for.”

In all, 125 Soldiers gradu-ated during the ceremony for WLC Class 12-708. In his remarks to the graduates, Antolovich encour-aged them to perform the duties expected of a NCO.

“Go back to your units and have the courage to take charge; you owe it to America’s sons and daughters to lead well,” Antolovich said.

“Train America’s warriors to think critically and creatively, and to operate in any environment and lead our Army to fight, win and survive our Nations wars.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Karl A. Roberts, the senior enlisted advisor for Joint Sustainment Command – Afghanistan and the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), speaks to graduates of the Third Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy’s Warrior Leader Course graduation ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait on August 6, 2012. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin)


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Combat medics receive battlefield stress training Sgt. Gregory Williams

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - As four Soldiers watched Jeopardy in the hospital waiting room, a female Soldier began looking over the stack of papers she’d just received after a briefing.

Her eyes skimming over the front page, Spc. Larre A. Donaldson, a combat medic, 1086th Trans-portation Company, began to read how Soldiers could employ daily self relaxation techniques.

For Donaldson treating the warfighter is not a game as the task to help Soldiers seek treatment begins now.

Armed with the new material and playaway listening devices in hand, she exits the room pre-pared to administer psychological first aid to help Soldiers combat stress on and off the battlefield.

Donaldson and four other combat medics with the 10th Sustainment Brigade attended a battlefield stress brief on August 7, 2012 at Bagram Airfield.

“It’s not just worrying about Soldiers getting hit in the field,” Donaldson said. “It’s about always looking out for them because it’s not just the physical injuries that affect how they perform. I just want to be there for support any way I can.”

Local combat stress facilities and medical units are partnering together to promote mental health to Soldiers they treat out on the battlefield.

As the military expands their roles, combat medics are being briefed on how to recognize symp-toms related to combat stress in hopes to not only help Soldiers heal physically, but mentally.

Staff Sgt. Rouven Sefcik, a non commissioned

Spc. Larre A. Donaldson, a combat medic with the 1086th Transportation Company, reads the instructions on the back of a playaway listening device on August 7, 2012 at Bagram Airfield. Combat medics give the listening device to their patients for relaxation treatment in order to combat stress and anxiety. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams)

A 10th Sustainment Brigade soldier listens on as Staff Sgt. Rouven Sefcik, a non-commissioned officer in charge of combat stress with the 455th Expeditionary Medical Operation Squadron, explains the function of the playaway listening device on August 7, 2012 at Bagram Airfield. Sefcik is a big advocate of the listening device, which can help Soldiers to relax in the battlefield. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams)

officer in charge of combat stress for the 455th Expe-ditionary Medical Operation Squadron, who gave the brief to the combat medics, told the combat medics that it takes a lot of swallowed pride for Soldiers to seek help dealing with stress.

As he handed out material that described emotional reaction to trauma, Sefcik dumped the playaways on the table showing the group a new medical instrument they could use to treat the warf-ighters they encounter.

“Combat medics are the first line of support for our Troops so now they can teach skills that may reduce the incidence of mental health problems later on down the road,” Sefcik said. “Now combat medics can provide education to Soldiers on signs of mental health disorders if they emerge.”

As more combat medics attend combat stress training, they will be expected to become more per-sonally involved with their patients.

Teaching relaxation exercises to Soldiers and sometimes lending a listening ear can do a lot to help Soldiers deal with stress during deployments.

“I’m a combat medic, but I’m also there as a friend because I actually like my job,” Donaldson said. “You have to care about people to be a medic and you have to notice when things are wrong with your patient.”

Donaldson is an emergency medical techni-cian back home in Louisiana with a set schedule, but said she prefers to be on call 24/7 if her Soldiers need her.

“As an EMT back home I don’t know 98% of

See MEDICS, next page


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MEDICS, from previous

the patients I treat, but I’m out on the road with my guys every day,” Donaldson said. “Whether it’s for a prescription or if they just want to talk, my door is open 24 hours a day for my drivers.”

Combat stress facilities are hoping combat medics will let Soldiers know that combat stress classes are available for them at their convenience.

During a combat stress class, Soldiers have the opportunity to talk about any experiences that may make them feel emotionally numb, agitated, or irritable, which is expected after combat.

“We call emotional reactions after combat “normal reactions to abnormal situations” so the best thing we can do is help the Soldier to return to normal functioning by continuing to socialize and try out a variety of coping techniques,” Sefcik said. “If the symptoms persist or are too severe then Soldiers are advised to go to a warrior restoration center for

consultation.”

Combat medics are briefed on all the services combat stress facilities offer and can educate Soldiers on the advantages of the stress relieving program.

Donaldson said there is a misconception most Soldiers have about combat stress facilities.

“Soldiers need to know that going to a combat stress facility doesn’t go on their record,” Donaldson said. “An appointment will not hinder their career and there is a good doctor and patient privacy policy.”

As Donaldson and the four other soldiers prepare to go back to the unit, she knows stress is nothing to play with. Donaldson said she can tell when something is wrong with a patient whether it’s the melancholy in their voice or uncharacteristic like body language. All the combat medic said she can do is try to help her patients stay in the fight by treating their wounds and healing their mind.

Soldiers wrangle in redeployment training at UMO rodeo Sgt. Gregory Williams

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The 209th Avia-tion Support Brigade trained more than 100 Soldiers during a Unit Movement Officer Rodeo on August 14, 2012 at Kandahar Airfield.

The key tasks for the rodeo was to teach Soldiers how to pre-pare movement documentation, facilitate container management with in transit visibility, prepare cargo for joint inspection and navi-gate the Transportation Coordi-nator Automated Information for Movement System II class.

When a unit is ready to leave Afghanistan, the UMO must put together a load plan that will track and ship equipment that could easily be worth over one mil-lion dollars back to the states.

Joint Sustainment Com-mand – Afghanistan provided trainers to teach Soldiers how to prepare these plans for redeploy-ment, which can make the process of shipping cargo back home much easier and less strenuous.

“It’s important to Soldiers and especially for the UMO’s to understand the redeployment pro-

See UMO, next page

Soldiers with Task Force Lightning measure a M105 trailer during a Unit Movement Officer Rodeo on August 14, 2012 at Kandahar Airfield. The UMO Rodeo provides Soldiers with hands-on experience in learning about the redeployment process and how to prepare equipment for joint inspection clear-ance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams)

cess so they know what to expect so they have enough time to plan ahead,” said Staff Sgt. Khris L. De La Pena, a transportation man-agement noncommissioned officer with the 822nd Movement Con-trol Detachment. “UMO’s have to know that they only have a certain amount of time to get their equip-ment ready to be shipped out.”

Careful planning is essen-tial to the redeployment process because it could present many challenges.

“I feel if you have every-thing that belongs to the unit on a well put together load plan, then a UMO should be good,” said Sgt. Irene Campos, an automated


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UMO, from previous

logistics noncommissioned officer with the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade. “If not… well then you’re a ‘SOL’ (Soldier out of luck), be-cause not one container can be left behind.”

The rodeo also gave Sol-diers the chance to gain hands-on experience with conducting inspections and weighing equip-ment, which is usually a job for an Air Force cargo load team.

As the groups entered the training yard, Soldiers separated into teams as instructors taught one group to measure and weigh the equipment while the others learned how to prepare packing lists along with special handling cards.

Once the teams were fin-ished with their tasks outside, Sol-diers headed back inside for more instruction on TC-AIMS II, trying to cram as much information as time would allow into the class.

The TC-AIMS II course is a two-week course offered by

the military, but instructors were challenged during the rodeo to teach the Soldiers the basics in two days.

“The class size was a chal-lenge because I’d prefer to teach smaller groups, so I could give that individual attention since ev-eryone learns at a different pace,” De La Pena said. “I’d hope that at the very least, Soldiers know who to contact if they need help with any part of the process.”

Besides having the chance to learn from a transportation manager, JSC-A provided a Sus-tainment Automation Support Management Office instructor to teach the rodeo participants more about the redeployment process.

“I help teach Soldiers the air planning applications, which is what the transportation commu-nity uses to support the warfighter worldwide,” said David Bowman, a SASMO trainer with Tapestry Solutions Inc. “With this, the Soldiers will learn how to not only use TC-AIMS II, but also the Auto-mated Air Load Planning System.”

During the rodeo, Campos said she tried to absorb as much knowledge as possible because the systems are always being updated to become more proficient.

“Going into AALPS was good because I have some experi-ence using it manually, but now some of the features are automat-ic, which is a time saver,” Cam-pos said. “It’s supposed to be a refresher, but I learned a lot more because we went into more detail about the program.”

The UMO Rodeo train-ing was meant to not only give Soldiers knowledge about the redeployment process, but also gave the instructors the chance to instill an unwavering confidence in the skills that Soldiers have at-tained.

“I hope the Soldiers take away the skill and confidence to redeploy their unit home,” Bow-man said. “They now have the most accurate information to ensure that all equipment and personnel arrive at their home sta-tion safely.”

Soldiers with Task Force Gunfighter weigh a High- Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle during a Unit Movement Officer Rodeo on August 14, 2012 at Kandahar Airfield. The UMO Rodeo taught Soldiers the weighing and marking standards according to joint inspection criteria. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams)


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Sustainers get back in the kitchenStaff Sgt. Michael Behlin

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – For cooks assigned to the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and many other units across the Army, working in a dining facility was typically not an option, even though it was what they were trained to do.

But with recent cuts to the Army’s dining facility budget, Installation Management Command has recommended assigning more military cooks to do exactly what they were trained to do, “cook”.

To accommodate these recommendations, the 3d ESC worked with Kandahar Airfield’s Special Op-erations Task Force-South to allow its cooks to work in the DFAC so that they could be prepared for what they may face upon returning to Fort Knox.

Fort Knox’s 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division recently reintegrated military cooks back into the DFAC, and the 3d ESC’s cooks could possibly do the same after their return from Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“This is a great opportunity for our young Soldiers because originally they wouldn’t have had any opportunity to learn and grow within their career field,” said Staff Sgt. Wesley McCarty, a food service specialist with the 3d ESC. “We don’t work in the DFAC at Knox, or go to the field in a manner that would allow for the operation of a mobile kitchen trailer, so this opportunity is great for our young Sol-diers.”

McCarty, who has served as a cook in the Army for 21 years, said that the time away from the DFAC wouldn’t necessarily affect him as much as it would the Soldiers working for him. These Soldiers, Spc. Isaac Montalvo and Spc. Viviana Baker, both food service specialists assigned to the 3d ESC, had no prior experience in their career fields. They both arrived at the 3d ESC fresh from advanced individual training, but are now getting the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge working in the SOTF-S DFAC.

“This has been a good experience for me be-cause I now know what’s expected of me in my job,” said Montalvo, a native of Guayanilla, Puerto Rico.

Much of the expectations Montalvo speaks of include the early mornings and late nights associated with working in a DFAC. Both Soldiers said the ex-perience of working in a DFAC is much different than what they were used to. Montalvo, who worked the in Joint Sustainment Command – Afghanistan’s mail room when he began the deployment, said the rigors associated with working in a DFAC are much more than what others may think.

Spc. Isaac Montalvo, a food service specialist with the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), works to prepare a meal while working at the Special Operations Task Force – South dining facility at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Montalvo is one of four Soldiers from the 3d ESC currently working at the SOTF-S dining facility. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mi-chael Behlin)

He explained that the job requires lots of preparation, time and extended periods of standing. While this is an adjustment from what he’s used to, it’s all a part of the job.

The adjustment was just as tough for Baker, but she admitted that this experience would help her as she progresses in her career. She said that work-ing in the DFAC thus far has helped her gain a better understanding of the Army’s food services processes and procedures. With the skills and knowledge she’s gained by working in the DFAC, she feels as if she will be better served to lead others in the future.

“Most of the cooks I met before I deployed said that whenever they deployed, they did everything other than their actual job,” said Baker. “So for me to do my job on my first deployment is a big deal.”


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JSC-A celebrates Women’s Equality DaySgt. Candice L. Funchess

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The Joint Sustain-ment Command- Afghanistan celebrated Women’s Equality Day with two independent events on Friday and Saturday here on Kan-dahar Airfield.

On Friday, Brig. Gen. Kris-ten K. French, commander of the JSC-A headquartered by the 3d Sustainment Command (Expedi-tionary), was the guest speaker at the Women’s Equality Day Ob-servance hosted by the Regional Command-South Equal Opportu-nity Office.

“Gen. French was chosen to speak because she is the senior female general officer in the Com-bined Joint Operations Area – Af-ghanistan and the commander of the JSC-A,” said Master Sgt. Adam Eckstein, the command equal op-portunity advisor for JSC-A. “So, I thought it would be the perfect caveat for the observance.”

In her speech, French highlighted three main points:

Take pride in the fact that there are opportunities for women to lead and serve in today’s mili-tary, women have a critical role in the military – and their sacrifices underscore their dedication and willingness to serve and lastly, women serving in today’s mili-tary have proven that the extent of their patriotism and bravery

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jean Ritter, the multiclass senior supply systems technician for Joint Sus-tainment Command-Afghanistan, narrated the reading of “Failure is Impossible” here on Kandahar Airfield Aug. 24, 2012. The reading, authored by Rosemary H. Knower, was based on the women’s suffrage movement that began in 1848 and concluded in 1920 with Congress passing the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Candice L. Funchess)

Approximately 500 participants ran in the Women’s Equality Day 5k held on Kandahar Airfield Aug. 25, 2012. The top three male and female runners received plaques from the commander and com-mand sergeant major of the Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Candice L. Funchess)

knows no rival.

“When a woman wants to serve in our Army – they enter knowing there are no glass ceil-ings, there are no caveats, and there are no limits,” said French. “There are only opportunities.”

French went on to point out the accomplishments of Gen. Ann Dunwoody as an example of how far women have come in the mili-tary and noted that there are no limits to the heights women can reach in the armed forces.

At the conclusion of French’s speech, members of the JSC-A did a rendition of the read-ing, “Failure is Impossible” by Rosemary H. Knower.

The reading is based on the women’s suffrage movement that began in 1848 and concluded in 1920 with Congress passing the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote.

The rendition was narrated by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jean Ritter, the multiclass senior supply systems technician for JSC-A.

On Saturday, the JSC-A hosted a Women’s Equality Day Observance 5k Run/Walk in which approximately 500 people participated.

The race concluded with the top three male and female finishers receiving plaques from French and Command Sgt. Maj. Karl A. Roberts, the senior enlist-ed adviser for the JSC-A.

At the end of the events Eckstein said, “Women still have the same jobs and are just as capable as a man, still a double standard exists. Until we overcome that barrier, we need to keep emphasizing events such as Women’s Equality Day to show that there are still disparities be-tween men and women.”

tin


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Photos from Facebook: Wounded Warrior Run and Combat Olympics

Training, discipline and standards are the bedrock of our Army, and as Soldiers, you’ve been taught what right looks like. As leaders, you have a duty and a responsibility to maintain standards in your formation. You also have an obligation to your Soldiers and their families to manage risk and take action to correct prproblems. In our fight against accidental fatalities, knowledge is the weapon of choice.

h t t p s : / / s a f e t y . a r m y . m i l

Sustainer September 2012

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Transcript of Sustainer September 2012