The Claw May 2012 Edition

The Claw Newsletter

Serving the Soldiers and Families of Task Force Talon

V OLUME 1 , ISSUE 7

22 MAY 2012 The Claw

A Few Words from

Talon 6

“TALON FOR A DAY,

TALON FOR LIFE!”

To all family members and friends of Task Force Talon, your Talon Troopers

continue to make you proud by providing outstanding aviation support to our

brothers and sisters throughout Regional Command East (RC-East). Last

month, 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters relinquished command of RC-East

and returned to Fort Hood, Texas. They were replaced by 1st Infantry Division

Headquarters out of Fort Riley, Kansas. Since a very large part of TF Talon’s

mission here is supporting the RC-East command and staff, our successful inte-

gration with the new command team was critical. The Talon Troopers’ perform-

ance far exceeded their expectations and we were blessed with new opportuni-

ties to increase our support to our brothers and sisters on the ground. As a re-

sult, we are even busier this month than we have been the past seven, which

makes the time continue to fly by. The weather is beautiful here and excitement

is clearly in the air as we look forward to completing our mission and rejoining

you. As always, on behalf of all the TF Talon Troopers, I thank you for your

continued love and support. Until next time…

Sincerely,

LTC LANDY D. DUNHAM

TALON 6

THE C LAW P AGE 3

Transfer-of-Authority 17th September 2012

The average person checks their Facebook accounts 4-6 times a

day. 4-6 times x 120 days=

480 - 720 FB checks left!

Approximately 120 walks to and from work left!

.9 walk to and from work x 120

days =

216 more miles!

As the time continues creeping closer and closer for your Talon members to be welcomed home by your warm hugs and kisses, we also have rituals to help us count down the months, weeks

and days...

For dedicated Green Bean enthusiasts who drink their coffee twice a day, they have

about 240 more cups of Afghanistan brewed joe left to buy.

$4 per coffee *That’s almost $1,000*

Every 14 days we get a reset day,

which averages out to about 8 more

Relaxin’ Days left.

We prep around 18-20 aircraft a day before each mission.

That averages out to be about

2280 aircraft preparations left

in Afghanistan.

Submit your own Would You

Rather to...

[email protected]

… and I will put it in the next edition of

The Claw!

We surveyed 50 Talons and this is what they said...

Would you rather…

Use a communal toothbrush or shower once a week?

Would you rather…

Sit all day or stand?

Would you rather…

Always hear the same song or taste the same thing?

Would you rather…

Be able to cook really well or always tell good jokes?

WARNING:

These questions

contain shockin

g

content meant to

inspire hilarious

discussion. Quest

ions may be nauseat-

ing, bizarre or d

isturbing!

3

said communal

toothbrush

47 said shower once a week

36

said

Sit

36

said hear

same song

14 said taste

same thing

33

said cook

really well

17 said tell good jokes

14 said

STand

P AGE 5 V OLUME 1 , ISSUE 7

We have reached the time when there is increasing discussion and activity about our fu-

ture return home. This is good and, I think, has been a boost to the morale of Soldiers

and Families alike. Even though the thought of returning home is exciting there is a need

to remain focused. We have served our nation well and accomplished much, but we are

not done yet.

Our redeployment will happen in

time. Many are hoping that time

passes quickly, but of course,

there is still work to be done by

Task Force Talon in Afghanistan

related to our military mission.

We must continue the great work

so far accomplished. There is also

work to be done at a personal

level, for ourselves and our Fami-

lies. Many have goals they would

like to accomplish during the de-

ployment, like completing college

courses, learning to play guitar, im-

proving their fitness level and pay-

ing off a loan. While time is run-

ning out, for most, there is still

work to be done.

Importantly, we also want to improve our relationships, work on our weaknesses and pre-

pare to return better than how we left. I know Family Members feel the same. They are

working hard to be better than we left them. There is work to be done for all of us.

Remember, we are not done yet. In every way and on every day press on toward the goals

set. When we work as hard as we can now our future reunion will be better and more joy-

ous than expected.

CH (CPT) Marlon W. Brown

Holy talon

GLADIATORS Gladiators and friends,

This past month we have gained two new Gladiators, SPC Marsh from HHC Brigade. Wel-

come to the Gladiators! SPC Marsh replaces SGT Caligiuri in the S2 Section as an intelligence analyst

on the TOC floor. She is already watching reporting and is briefing our flight crews daily. We are

looking forward to a continued strong performance from the S2 Section with SPC Marsh added to the

team. Not yet hailed in the newsletter, 1LT Spears arrived on 25 March, and has been doing great

things in the S3 Air Mission Request Cell. He is in progression with the Animals and is already flying

missions with them. Welcome!

The Gladiators have said goodbye to CPT Geib, who has left theater for Germany, and will

hopefully make it back to the states before too long. Brett served TF Talon well in the AMR Cell,

planning deliberate operations, and also serving as a UH PC with Regret. We’ll see you when we get

home.

The yearly 120 days of wind has begun in earnest here at Bagram, with our high winds cur-

rently standing at 47 knots. According to our trusty weather observers, we may see winds nearly twice

that at times, so we will be battening down the hatches during the heavy winds this summer. It rains

nearly daily now, and the daytime heat has started to climb into the upper 70’s Fahrenheit. Being on

nights is starting to look quite tempting for those running 24-hour operations.

Until next month,

Gladiator 6

THE C LAW P AGE 6

The S6 Shop pauses for a moment to take a photo while they smash unusable hard

drives with slug hammers.

ANIMALS The clock is ticking for the Animals. . .

We are in our last full month here in Afghanistan as part of TF Talon. With the crazy Spring

weather finally breaking and the “120 Days of Wind” around the corner, flying has been signifi-

cantly more enjoyable. The winds and warmer temperatures require solid mountain flying technique

and power management, and the enemy has embraced the 2012 fighting season.

Redeployment movement has already begun.

Over the next few weeks we will be welcoming

aircraft and personnel from the A CO 1-168th,

fellow westerners and Guardsmen. As such, the

Animal OPTEMPO is going to be greatly in-

creased. We will be completing CCT’s, LAO’s,

and the RIP-TOA with more than 65 personnel

over the course of 10 days. It is going to re-

quire the diligence and dedication of every sol-

dier and officer to make sure that we facilitate

their success and mission readiness. This dedi-

cation will set A CO 1-168th up for success for

the entire year.

Part of the Warrior Ethos in the Sol-

dier’s Creed” states: “I will never quit.”

We own the mission until June 10th.

We will not stop performing disci-

plined, rotary wing operations until our

last duffle is loaded and we are step-

ping onto a C-17 or C-5 bound for Ft.

Hood, TX. Despite the latest setback

of losing aircraft 346, the Animals will

accomplish the mission. We won’t be

broken: A phrase fitting of our Mus-

tang heritage.

It is with great disappointment that the Animals will be parting with our “Scooby” bus. Fellow TF

Talon members may have noticed its custom cone roof ornament and actual life-size Scooby dash

dog. It has treated us well.


REGRET "I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the last part with your

heart."

Heart is what Alpha Company 3-82 is relying on as we round the corner into the last third of our deployment. Luckily it’s a heart that’s been made

strong and healthy from seven previous months of aviation success, as well as a heart that is emboldened by the thought of returning to you, our much-

longed-for families and friends. As we rapidly close the distance between us and the finish line we continue to earn distinction, serve with honor, and

still find time to have some fun.

Alpha Company’s Instructor Pilots and Flight Instructors were some of the crewmembers to find acclaim. Just a few months ago our brigade con-ducted an inspection of all battalion and company operations. During this inspection our Standardization Department received the highest marks possi-

ble in every area inspected, no small feat considering it required the detailed review of over 120 individuals’ aviation records while simultaneously

continuing to execute the largest and most active training program in the entire brigade. Such achievement and dedication did not go un-noticed: CW3 Campbell, CW3 Ashhurst, CW2 Parsons, CW2 Baker, CW2 Owens, SFC Bloyd, SGT McGrath, SGT Stover, and SPC Felts all received Army

Achievement Medals for their direct contribution to this success.

In addition to the excellent inspection marks, Alpha Company’s IPs have also been cooking-up something special for the unit’s young pilots. In-lieu of annually required and often monotonous aviator academic training, Aviation Jeopardy sessions will commence in the next few days. Experienced

pilots-in-command have been paired with young pilots for the past two weeks. These protégés are being groomed by their mentors to compete against

one another in this battle of brains for a prize that is well worth the extra time in the books. So great is the buzz around this event that some of our members have even decided to set up a “financial opportunity,” if you will, where one can bet his or her hard earned pay on the results. Don’t let the

anticipation throw you from your seat as you expect the glamorous details about the ultimate victor and his/her GRAND prize in your next issue of The

Claw…

As our young pilots’ experience continues to grow, so does the number of our company’s pilots-in-command. CPT Romaneski and CW2 Eberhart both

recently passed their Day/Night PC check ride; CW2 Scott deftly did the same on his NVG PC ride.

Speaking of experience, Mr. Triplett has A LOT of it and is now CW4 Matt Triplett. As a reminder, his mustache will stay for the duration of this pay

grade as it did for the last. Such an event could not be adequately observed within the everyday confines of Bagram Airbase, so the company decided

to fly him to the top of a mountain instead. The photo below should prove sufficient evidence of the wisdom of this decision.

In case you didn’t already know or you haven’t been able to tell, flight companies like to have fun. To keep that heart on a happy beat, CPT Sulpizio

initiated a round of the game ASSASINS. For those of you who are unfamiliar, let me give you a quick once-over of the rules. All participants are given an index card with the name of another individual in the company whom they must “kill.” This murderous act must be completed with no wit-

nesses and be executed by way of a very particular type of weapon. In this case the weapon theme was “anything you can make or find in prison,” a

field in which many of the company’s members are disturbingly well versed. Once you’ve “killed” your target, that unfortunate victim hands over his

or her index card and target to you, at which point you go on the hunt once more. The last assassin standing wins.

Don’t turn your back to SPC Bradley, because he wiped out the entire field, starting with, I’m quite honored to say, yours truly, in a matter of days. As

for a prize, he’ll get what’s coming to him.

In closing, your aviators and crewmembers continue to make this brigade and the nation it serves proud beyond expectations. As always, I simply must close by reminding you of the necessity of and gratitude for your continued love, support, and dedication. Fulfilling the duty we are sworn to uphold is

simply impossible without it.

Keeping you all in our thoughts,

1LT Will Walker

2nd Flight Leader

THE C LAW P AGE 8


FLIPPERS Dear Flipper family and friends,

I would like to start off by thanking each and every one of you for your support and understanding during the

last eight months. The job your Soldiers perform is an important one and they would not be successful with-

out you. This makes your job incredibly important as well. Do not under estimate the significance that family

and friends play in a Soldiers motivation and success. It's extremely evident as they return from R&R com-

pletely energized and ready to get after it.

This past month I had the honor of reenlisting a couple of outstanding NCOs in SSG Acevedo and SSG

Bamba who will both enjoy some much needed down time with their families at Fort Rucker following rede-

ployment. This coming month we get to welcome another member to the Flipper family when Mr. and Mrs.

Dibble welcome a baby boy. I can tell you that he is extremely excited with each coming day and so are we.

Again, thanks for all the support and keep sending mail to the Soldiers. Every time mail comes in, the

Soldiers are like little children on Christmas morning. They can't wait to see what is in the new

package they have. Thanks again for all the support you provide.

Airborne,

Flipper 6

SSG Bamba Reenlistment

SSG AcevedoReenlistment

Mr. Martin New Wheels

THE C LAW P AGE 10

“The Bulk of mankind is equipped for flying as thinking” –Jonathan Swift

Motor City Muscle has had another busy month filled with promotions, awards, VIP’s, and runs. April brought warmer weather but did not decrease the demand on our flight crews. They continue to work hard, making it possible to fly day and night missions. Congratulations to SGT Zischke and

SGT Spivey who became Flight Engineers this month.

Bravo Company had five participants in the Run for Jesus “5” Miler on Easter Sunday. 1LT Love, CW4 Zelenak, CW2 Isham, SSG Hodges and

SGT Zischke all finished the run and represented the Motor City Muscle with pride!

Motor City Muscle Troopers were recognized for the Downed Aircraft Recovery Team (DART) mission. Sling loading over 16,000 pounds of air-

craft to a safer/salvageable location; CW3 Miller, SSG Webb, SSG Hodges and SGT Shipman were awarded the Army Achievement Medal on 21

April 2012. Great job Bravo Company!

Bravo Company had the privilege of promoting two of its Troopers to Sergeant this month. Congratulations to SGT Mark French who accepted a

15G position in Delta Company 3/238th Aviation GSAB back in Michigan and to SGT Wade Brown who accepted a 15D position in Delta Company

3/238th Aviation GSAB as well. We are very proud of these Troopers and welcome two new NCO’s to the Motor City Muscle family.

Motor City Muscle had the privilege of flying Toby Keith in support of his USO tour and delivered him to his last concert in theatre here at Bagram.

Mr. Keith thanked not only Bravo Company but all Troopers around the globe for their service.

Motor city

muscles

Another month has passed by and now there are less than 90 days remaining in our deployment. We are very

excited and counting the days until we come back home. April was the birthday month of SGT Baugher and

SGT King. This gave us an excuse to celebrate with water balloons and use SGT Baugher as the target. We en-

joyed one of the cleanest birthday celebrations here to date. SGT King was on duty that day and therefore he

wasn’t able to participate in the celebration but we look forward to making it up to him. This month also, we

welcomed SPC Johns from JAF to our team. (He doesn’t know what’s coming to him.)

The frequency of missions has increased exponentially and corre-

lates directly to the warmer weather. We are expecting that fre-

quency of missions will continue to rise as the weather gets

warmer. Needless to say, things are now extremely busy around

here. Yet, in the mist of all the work, our very own Randall Skedco

still finds the time to continually pull pranks on us. His latest vic-

tim, LT Wiese lost his top for two weeks after coming back from a

mission. Reportedly, he took off his top and placed it near the din-

ing table in order to get refreshed but when he came back to get it,

it was gone.

The top mysteriously disappeared only to appear in a se-

ries of pictures strategically left at random places. The

pictures showed Randall, better known as Randy, sporting

LT’s top while sitting at different places around the

hanger. LT Wiese was puzzled. Many tried to help him

find it but the top could not be found. It is speculated that

Randy, being no “dummy”, used the Marines as his ac-

complices in order to pull the prank. Eventually Randy

returned the top to LT. Since Randy is one of the most

instrumental members of our team he never gets in trouble

for these pranks. The pictures on his Facebook page show

just how much fun he is having and how ultimately he gets

the last laugh.

Usually during that last stretch of a deployment soldiers

start to get physically and mentally tired and it’s the little

things that start making a big difference in the morale of

the group. Most recently, the fact that the dining facility

could not deliver a satisfactory hard-boiled egg had many

soldiers understandably upset. However, a simple gesture

from Mr. Kilpatrick’s mom was enough to cheer us up.

She sent us the most DELICIOUS cakes. Thank you!!!

DUSTOFF


THE C LAW

DARKHORSE

Greetings from Afghanistan Darkhorse Family and Friends! Summer is definitely on it’s way here, as the wind continues to blow

and the weather continues to warm up. Our soldiers continue to do excellent work and are getting recognized for it. Last month, SPC

Dias was selected as Task Force Talon Soldier of the Month, and again this month, another Darkhorse was selected—SPC Razo!

Congratulations to SPCs Dias and Razo! Awesome job representing the company. You make us proud!

SFC Garcia and SSG Records were presented with Army Achievement Medals (AAM) for their great work moving the Company

out here and all the logistics and planning that went into that. SGT Smith and SPC Whitt were also awarded AAMs for their work on

the CH-47 DART. SPC Guzman, SPC Ivie (with SPC Grimaldo playing the role of “Flat Ivie”), and SPC Johnson were awarded

AAMs for their work on a battle damaged OH-58 in which they completely rewired the aircraft electronics. SPC Ramon, attached to

us from the Michigan National Guard, was awarded the Darkhorse Diver’s Knife for above and beyond contribution to the Mainte-

nance side of the house fulfilling the role of 15T and 15U (Blackhawk and Chinook Maintenance). Thanks for all your hard work!

The Darkhorse Team pulled together this month to beat the Commander’s Challenge, not once, but twice! CPT McDonald set goals

for each type of phase stating the amount of days in which the phases had to be completed to beat the challenge. Well, this month the

Company completed a CH-47 200 hour inspection in 9 days and a UH-60 PMI-2 inspection in 10 days. Thanks CPT McDonald for

holding up your end of the Challenge and buying pizza for the whole Company twice!

P AGE 12

SPC Grimaldo filling-in and

receiving SPC Ivie’s award

SPC Razo receiving his

award from CPT McDonald

for being chosen as BN

Soldier of the Month!

Some of our Darkhorses getting ready to receive their awards as

the company is assembled in the CH-47 hangar.

Prop&Rotor finishing up a CH-47 rotor head

The weather is getting warmer, spring time is in the air and a great

way to enjoy our time here is through Physical Training. The Main-

tenance and Distribution Platoons regularly support the organized

running events around the airfield, competing for free t-shirts here

on Bagram that have included the Run for Jesus, Cinco de Mayo

and the Boston Marathon.

Toby Keith kicked off the USO celebrity tour with a concert here at

Bagram Airfield. Many Troopers attended and a couple even got

Toby to sign a “Red Solo Cup” for them. President Obama made a

stop in Bagram Airfield; presenting a speech outlining our progress

and future relationship with the Government of Afghanistan. Presi-

dent Obama expressed his sincere appreciation for our sacrifices and that of our families during our deployment.

President Obama also spent extra time with the Troops following his speech to shake hands with as many Troop-

ers as possible. Echo Troopers SPC McNally and SPC Tieman worked through the crowd of Soldiers and had

the President to sign their patrol caps.

As another month passes, we continue to have Troopers re-

enlisting and getting promoted in the Wardawg family. With

some aviation lift support from Alpha Company Regret;

SPC Jasen Toomey took a small group of Echo Company on

the side of a mountain just west of Bagram Airfield (great

idea Toomey) for his reenlistment that includes an assign-

ment to Hawaii, good luck on your future assignment. SPC

Brandon Williams reenlisted continuing his career as a 91B

Wheeled Mechanic, gaining stabilization at Fort Bragg.

Congratulations to our Troopers who were recently pro-

moted; SPC Julian Ruiz, PFC Trevor Walling, PV2 Michael

Astran, and we welcomed a new Trooper into the NCO

Corps, SGT James Warren. Congratulations to SGT Perry Shuler for winning the Task Force Talon NCO of the

Month resulting in the awarding of the Army Achievement Medal for his outstanding performance at the board.

SGT Douglas Adkins was interviewed by the Task Force Talon Senior Noncommissioned Officers and placed

on the promotable list to Staff Sergeant. We look forward to SGT Adkins representing the company at a future

Talon NCO of the Month board.

We are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We

have started our planning for our return home and everyday look

forward to rejoining with our friends and loved ones. Everyone

here is doing a great job while working long and hard hours,

which we couldn’t do it without those back home supporting us.

Please continue to keep our spirits high with your love and sup-

port. We look forward to coming home and spending much

needed time with our friends and family.

WAR DAWGS


Family and Friends,

Woohoo, another month has come and gone! April brought warm weather, thunderstorms, dust storms, new faces,

old faces, electricity outages, reenlistments, promotions, water balloons, flying balloons, higher waves on Modern Warfare

3, Korean Meals Ready to Eat (MRE’s), Easter eggs, a Glutes magazine, a new truck, backed up plumbing, an open air

gym, and much, much more… wheeew, it’s been busy!

Congratulations to Sergeant James Dawes! SGT Dawes was recently given a much, much overdue and well de-

served promotion from Specialist to Sergeant. SGT Dawes has given more to the Army than the ordinary Soldier, and was

rewarded for it this month. We are all happy for the Dawes’ family and wish to extend our congratulations to them as well,

because we all know we wouldn’t be able to do this job without our family’s support, so thank you.

On another note of thankfulness, Specialist Stephen Koons reenlisted for three more years in the Big Green Ma-

chine! We cannot overstate the awesomeness of that. Obviously not everyone is cut out for the Army. Obviously

(especially during our current deployment) Specialist Koons can think of many other things he could be doing with his time.

But he is here, serving freedom to the Afghan people, and serving 30mm to insurgents. Through all of this, SPC Koons has

decided to stick with the Army for another stint. We are all thankful for his continued sacrifice, and hope for nothing but

the best in his future.

So, four months and some change left. Time is moving slowly but surely going by. We have started preparing for

our re-deployment, which no doubt has everyone excited (except for the guy who has to plan it all! Haha, sucker).

On a serious note- we are all safe, and doing our jobs well. We miss everyone back home, and hope all is well with our

family and friends.

Until next month,

Fox Troop PL’s

BLACKHORSE

THE C LAW P AGE 14

SPC Began, Nathan

Company/MOS: HHC/56M Chaplain Assistant

Hometown: Trenton, OH

Q: What do you do on your free time?

A: Take long walks on the jagged rocks, in my

shower shoes!

Q: What do you want to achieve in your MOS

this deployment?

A: Try to help keep up the unit morale

Q: Goals for this deployment?

A: Provide religious and emotional support to

Soldiers

Q: What do you miss most about home?

A: Seeing my families smiling faces and not

having them be digitized.

SPC Darger, Kevin

Company/MOS: A 2-211/ 92A Automated

Logistical Specialist

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah


A: Play World of Warcraft… yah buddy!

Q: What do you want to achieve in your

MOS this deployment?

A: I am like the rain man...I have nothing

left to achieve


A: To annoy my 1SG as much as possible

until we leave!


A: Teaching my children to be miscreants


TALONS OF THE MONTH

SPC Wells, Joshua

Company/MOS: A 3-82/ 15T Blackhawk

Crew Chief

Hometown: Fredricksburg, Virginia


A: Listen to metal and people watch.



A: Obtain 1,000 flight hours and get as

many worthless coins as possible.


A: Get transferred to the arms room.


A: Steak Lunch at Starkey's .

SPC March French

Company/MOS: B 3-238/ 15G Aircraft

Structural Repairer

Hometown: Hastings, Michigan


A: Study for my MCATs.



A: Provide best coverage for crews and

the copters abroad.


A: Make it home safely and go to medical

school.


A: My dog, Nova, who is a black lab great

dane mix.

THE C LAW P AGE 16

SPC Ashburn, Jessie

Company/MOS: B 3-82/ 15U Chinook

Crew Chief

Hometown: Kentucky


A: Talking to family and relaxing.

Q: What do you want to achieve in

your MOS this deployment?

A: Making Flight Engineer.


A: Stay in the gym.

Q: What do you miss most about

home?

A: Family, friends and the good times.

SPC Winn, Anthony

Company/MOS: C 3-82/ 15T Blackhawk

Crew Chief

Hometown: Eldorado Hills, CA


A: Read the free books that we get in care

packages.



A: Moving from maintenance to a flight

company was my goal and I got it!


A: Go to the promotion board to get pro-

moted and get in good shape. :)


A: Every meal they offer at Waffle House

and Aspen Creeks Country Fried Steak.


PFC Mukdahanh, Soukhy

Company/MOS: D 3-82/ 15U Chinook

Maintenance Repair

Hometown: St. Charles, Minnesota


A: I take advantage of the free facilities in

the MWR.



A: Put my dime in with the ALSE shop.


A: To get back safely and up my GT score

to over 110 in a FAST class.


A: Miss spending valuable time with my

family on our weekend beach trips.

SPC May, Chauncey

Company/MOS: E 3-82/ 91J Quartermaster

and Chemical Equipment Repairer

Hometown: Duncanville, Texas


A: All my free time goes to homework for

college.



A: Achieve an 8 hour shift...one day!


A: Continuing working on my Bachelors

and complete 27 more credit hours.


A: I miss my 15 month old son, Jaiden.

THE C LAW P AGE 18

SGT Dawes, James

Company/MOS: F Trp 1/17/ 15S Kiowa

Crew Chief

Hometown: Madison, New York


A: When I have free time, I talk to the

family.



A: Making my E-5 was my MOS goal.


A: Continue working towards degree in

General Studies.


A: New York Pizza and Wings


TALON FOR A DAY

TALON FOR LIFE!

LAST NAME, FIRST

TF TALON, C/O

BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN

APO, AE 09354

Our address is still the same:

Feel free to send me an email if you have any sug-

gestions or questions. Until next time...

SPC Porter, Amber

TF Talon PAO

[email protected]

The ache from home lives in all of use,, the safe place

where we can go as we are

and not be questioned.

-Mary Angelou

The Claw May 2012 Edition

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