1/34 BSTB Wild Times August Newsletter

Wild Times

Transfer of Authority Ceremony

Transfer of Authority Ceremony

by Sgt 1st Class Brittany Thingvold

Brigade Special Troops Battalion Public Affairs Section

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (Aug. 6, 2011) – “COMPANY,

ATTENTION!” said for one of the last times by Maj

David Fink, executive officer, Camp Command Cell, Zone

6, 197th Fires Brigade.

After several weeks of anticipation since the 1st Brigade

Combat Team, Special Troops Battalion‟s arrival to Camp

Arifjan, Kuwait, the training was complete and the Trans-

fer of Authority ceremony between 197th Fires Brigade

and 1st Brigade Combat Team, Brigade Special Troops

Battalion was held at the community center in Zone 6 on

Aug. 3, 2011. “This is a very important time in history as we support the drawdown in Iraq” said Lt. Col Gary

Mundfrom, commander, Brigade Special Troops Battalion.

The 197th Fires Brigade has worked diligently in main-

taining Zone 6, which houses and feeds 6,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, Guardians and Marines from all branches and civilians with

only a platoon sized element assigned to support this mission. “We are filling big shoes” said Mundfrom. Not only does the Camp

Command Cell maintain the safety of the Soldiers, but everything that encompasses that to include supervising of hundreds of con-

tractors, ground maintenance, facility management and most importantly Lt. Col Nicholas Adler, commander, Camp Command

Cell, Zone 6, 197th Fires Brigade often says, “Customer Service”! The Brigade Special Troops Battalion is eager to be challenged

with this important mission for our most precious asset, the Soldier.

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1/34 BSTB August 2011

Vol 1, No. 2

Zone 6 Camp Command Cell Headquarters Flag Display. Flags include,

two United States national flags, Minnesota state flag, Kuwait national flag,

and not pictured, heat category flag.

CSM Stowe (left) and LTC Mundfrom (right), officially replace the New Hamp-

shire state flag with the Minnesota state flag in the Zone 6 Camp Command Cell

headquarters.

Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 2

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MAILING ADDRESS:

(Soldier Name) Arifjan CCC, Zone 6

APO AE 09366

Care Packages Welcome!

Soldiers Receive Mail at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait

Wild Times 1/34 BSTB August 2011

Vol 1, No. 2

Page 3 of 10

TASK FORCE WILD Soldiers, Families and Friends:

We are now one month into our deployment to Kuwait and almost 3 weeks into our mission. I‟m proud of all of the

Soldiers as they are working hard and are already making improvements to the quality of life for the Soldiers, Sailors,

Airmen and Marines living here. I can tell you they are fully engaged. Each has a task within their assigned section,

but that doesn‟t mean they don‟t look for other ways to improve processes, service and support to the tenant units.

Most Soldiers have found a way to occupy their off duty hours. The base has several opportunities to get fit at the gym

or track, get smart at the education center, or relax at the MWR facility. We‟ve even found a way to play floor hockey

in the middle of a desert. To our families and friends back home, thank you for the cards, letters and packages. Mail

call is always a huge morale booster and a daily event to look forward to. Keep „em coming.

Thank you also to those involved in our Family Readiness Groups (FRGs). If you would like to find out more please

visit the website found in this newsletter and volunteer, attend a meeting or help in some small way. Families of

Soldiers seem to have a hard time asking for help and help is just about everywhere you look. I know

you are a proud bunch but ask, others want to help. Also please remember our Soldiers and their

families of our A & B Companies who are in Afghanistan. Your thoughts and support are greatly

appreciated. Be proud of your Soldiers, they are doing important work and they are doing it very

well!!

Command Sergeant Major Bruce L. Stowe

Friends, Families and Soldiers of the Brigade Special Troops Battalion,

The Headquarters of the 1/34 BSTB arrived in Kuwait just over six weeks ago. We hit the ground

running and we‟ve accomplished a lot in a short period of time. Our support to the Soldiers, Sailors,

Airmen and Marines that live in Zone 6 runs the spectrum from getting new units settled in their lodg-

ing, to coordinating repairs of generators and air conditioners, to conducting health and safety

inspections, to keeping the lights on, to flying U.S. flags over Camp Arifjan in honor of someone back

home. We‟ve helped literally thousands of customers since we‟ve been here. It‟s not always

glamorous work but it‟s absolutely essential to the health and welfare of the military men and women that call our

patch of Kuwaiti desert “home”.

We‟ve also been working with some highly specialized units that we don‟t have in Minnesota. In addition to our work

helping the tenants of Zone 6, we provide day to day support to an Engineer Dive Team, an Explosive Ordnance

Disposal Team and a Chemical Company. These units are highly trained and provide support to military operations

not only in Kuwait, but in other countries throughout the region.

We‟re working hard here in Kuwait, but I know that the families back home are working just as hard – probably

harder. Thanks for your commitment and sacrifice.

Ante Up -- All In! Lieutenant Colonel Gary W. Mundfrom


Vol 1, No. 2

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The Army Family Readiness Group (Army FRG)

website provides a secure environment in which

information, resources, and support are available to

Soldiers and their Family Members 24 hours a day,

regardless of their geographic location. The 1/34

BSTB vFRG site promotes a community feeling by

providing a place that is customized to the Battalion

and contains content that is controlled at the Battal-

ion and unit levels. Army FRG website provides all

of the functionality of a traditional FRG in an ad-

hoc and on-line setting to meet the needs of geo-

graphically dispersed units and families across all

components of the Army. A homepage is dedicated

to each company in the Battalion for unit specific

information and events.

SIGN UP FOR THE VIRTUAL FRG SECURE WEBSITE

1. Go to http://www.armyfrg.org

2. Click “Find an FRG”

3. On the map click “Minnesota”

4. Click on 1/34 BSTB

5. Choose to subscribe as a Soldier or family member.

6. If you are subscribing as a Soldier, once your account is set up

you can invite family members or loved ones to the website. All

you need is their name and email address. They will be approved

automatically.

7. If you are subscribing as a family member and your Soldier has

not registered you will need your Soldiers full first and last name

and the last 4 digits of their SSN. The vFRG administrator will

need to verify the information before approving and granting

access.

8. Once your subscription is approved, login at

http://www.armyfrg.org.

9. Select “1/34 BSTB” from drop down box and click “View”

1/34 BSTB vFRG Includes:

Unit Home Pages

Announcements

1/34 BSTB Calendar

Document Downloads

FAQs & Forums

Resource Links

News

Photo Galleries

Surveys

and MUCH MORE!!!

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!

For updates and photos go to the link below and “like” our page to

get continuous updates on Soldiers in the 1/34 BSTB.

Check us out at the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/134-Brigade-Special-Troops-

Battalion/197347730301711


Vol 1, No. 2

Great moments are born from great opportunities. That‟s what you have here in Kuwait, warri-

ors. That‟s what you earned here in Kuwait, by virtue of your commitment to your fellow sol-

diers, your families, and your country.

Although this deployment presents great challenges, it also presents great opportunities. Who

you are at the end of this deployment is the sum total of the choices you make between now and

then. While you‟re here, you have an opportunity every day to increase your personal resilience

in five key areas:

Physical: You demonstrate physical fitness by the ability to meet the demands of any combat or

duty position, accomplish the mission, and continue to fight and win. The opportunities for

physical fitness during the deployment are unlimited and available to everyone. Need to quit

smoking? You can do it here. Need to lose weight? You can do it here. Want to learn self-

defense or yoga? You can do it here, all for free.

Emotional: If you're emotionally fit, you face life's challenges in a positive, optimistic way

through self-control, stamina and balance. But what if you're struggling, stressed out, hopeless?

All of the above? Take time to sit down with someone who is deployed for the specific purpose

of providing you support. Did you know that there is a Resiliency Center in Zone 6? Get away from your PCB or Tent, sit in the quiet environment, read

a book, sit in one of the massage chairs, or just take the pulse of your soul.

Social fitness: If you're socially fit, you maintain great relationships that are personally fulfilling. What does that look like? Good communication, and a

comfortable exchange of ideas, views, and experiences. Movie theatre, video games, and MWR events are all easy ways to enhance this area.

Family fitness: Soldiers build family fitness by being part of a family unit that is safe, supportive and loving, and provides resources needed to live in a

healthy and secure environment. While it's tough to do that when you're deployed, you can engage in United through Reading (Zone 6 Resiliency Cen-

ter), Skype, regular phone calls, and smart planning for leave as a way to set yourself up for success when the deployment is over. Also, Financial Peace

University (FPU) starts on September 14th at the Zone 6 Chapel at 7 pm. FPU trains thousands of servicemembers every year with informative, video-

driven lessons that have proven to be the difference-maker in building financial peace. Participants are empowered to get their finances under control as

FPU addresses all areas of personal finance including budgeting, paying off

debt, giving, saving for emergencies, and building wealth for retirement. FPU

provides the security of a sound financial plan during all phases of the Deploy-

ment Cycle. Results in an average attendee pay-off of $5,300 in debt and per-

sonal savings of $2,700, just during the course. FPU offers military bonus mate-

rial on topics like the Thrift Savings Plan, the G.I. Bill, and the SGLI, and Sur-

vivor Benefits. Previews offered 17 Aug 11 at 1900 hrs in the Zone 6 Chapel,

23 Aug 11 at 0800 hrs in the Zone 6 Resiliency Center, 24 Aug 11 at 1900 hrs

in the Zone 6 Chapel, and 25 Aug 11 at 1600 hrs in the 230th Sustainment Bri-

gade Conference Room.

Spiritual fitness: Spiritually fit Soldiers strengthen the beliefs, principles and

values that sustain them beyond family, institutional, and societal sources of

strength. Worship and study opportunities are available in both Zone 1 and

Zone 6 nearly every day of the week. In addition, call on your Unit Ministry

Team for confidential counsel or spiritual assistance.

Don‟t just survive deployment, thrive through this deployment as a result of an

intentional, meaningful approach to life!

Pro Deo et Patria, For God and Country, CH (MAJ) Buddy Winn

Chaplain’s Page

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Vol 1, No. 2

Page 6 of 10

C.O.R. Takes Care of Soldiers By Sgt. Lindsay L. Mackie CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (Aug. 14, 2011)- The five flags that mark the location of the Zone 6 Camp Command Cell is a well known landmark of the servicemembers and employees of Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. But very little is known of the Contracting Office Representative (COR) section which is located in the Camp Command Cell. The mission statement of the COR office is to “provide professional execution and thorough oversight on contracts in order to procure assets that will improve and sustain the quality of life in AJ Z6 [Arifjan Zone 6].” COR officer-in-charge Maj. Martin Leppert and Capt. Carl Thunem, along with four enlisted COR technicians, man-

age several contracts in Zone 6. KMS is under contract to clean shower and latrine facilities used by servicemembers, maintain and empty dumpsters in Zone 6, and provide potable water to la-trine areas. KMS also removes wastewater from these facilities. Other contracts belong to Al-Qabandi, whose employees maintain the cleanliness of Zone 6, and Aggreko maintains the generator which provides electricity to Zone 6. Maj. Leppert and Capt. Thunem also conduct market research on new and existing contracts. Possible future changes involve “actively improving the safety in Zone 6,” according to Capt. Thunem. Sgt. 1st Class Paul J. Hoffmann supervises a small team of COR technicians who inspect the performance of the contractors to ensure standards defined within the contract are met. The COR

tech’s inspections ensure clean, healthy, safe facilities for the servicemembers of Zone 6, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Spc. Johnathan Card (left) and Sgt. Nikolaus Curley (right), COR, are getting ready to conduct weekly inspections to

ensure compliance with the contracts within Zone 6 Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Meet the Unit Public Affairs Representatives (UPAR)

Send your information to a UPAR!

From left to right, 1LT Aaron Rindahl, CPT Amber Manke, SGT Lindsay Mackie, and SFC Brittany Thingvold

Have a picture

you’d like to

share??

Have a story you’d like published??


Vol 1, No. 2

Page 7 of 10

44th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Company

DRAGONS OF HELL! EQUAL TO THE TASK!

We have entered our ninth month of deployment and things are moving forward full throttle! The 44th CBRN Company has been entrusted with the mission to provide immediate response to any CBRN situations that may arise in our AO. Soldiers and Leadership have been hard at work these past months continuing to posture themselves for potential missions and our capabilities have recently been called upon.

Led by SFC Smith, Soldiers of the 1st Consequence Management Response Platoon (CMRP) have begun operations to mitigate worsening effects of a chemical spill found in a connex here on Camp Arifjan. On 25 August, a reconnaissance team was sent out to conduct assessments of the spill. Soldiers of the recon team suited up in fully encapsulated Level A Hazmat suits and went on air provided by a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. This level of protection allowed the Soldiers to enter the hazardous area, which would otherwise be immediately dangerous to life and health, and begin site assessment before mitigation and clean up operations. This spill has afforded Soldiers of the 1st CMRP an opportunity to put into play some of the tactics and techniques they have long been training for, as well as an oppor-tunity to gain confidence in this level of proper protective equipment.

In the midst of the real world mission, other Soldiers in the company have been working tirelessly to prepare for CBRN Academy. CBRN Academy is a week long course the company has developed to allow other Chemical Specialists (74D), here on Arifjan, the opportunity to get hands on training with some of the latest technology used throughout the Chemical Corps. The academy will focus on Hazard-ous Response Platoon (HRP) training, Decontamination operations using the new Falcon III Fixed Site Decontamination System and Mounted CBRN Reconnaissance using the FOX. Soldiers have also been honing their skills in preparation to begin training with the Kuwaiti National Guard and Kuwaiti Army WMD Defense Direc-torate next month. Our soldiers will have the unique opportunity to train with Ku-waiti Soldiers, and help them become more skilled in the defense of their country. Although we are nearing the end of our deployment, our Soldiers continue to stay motivated and focused on our mission. We continue to prove ourselves Dragons of Hell, Equal to the Task!! By 1LT Grace Rone

Soldiers conducting Decontamination training with the

Falcon III, FSDS.

Soldiers Entering Hazardous “HOT” Zone.

FOX Nuclear, Biological and Chemical

Reconnaissance Vehicle.

Soldiers responding to a chemical spill.


Vol 1, No. 2

7th Engineer Dive Team (EDT)

From the Commander’s Desk by CPT Scott Sann Aloha! As summer begins to wane, one aspect of the summer months contin-

ues to gather strength: the heat! As we hear news of soaring temperatures

throughout the country, we hope that our friends and family continue to

stay safe in these blazing temperatures. Here in Kuwait, we’re bracing for

the humidity of August, which according to our Kuwaiti counterparts is the

hottest period of the year. Luckily, we have plenty of diving opportunities

in the coming months which will give us a chance to cool off.

August also signals the beginning of the Muslim holiday of Rama-

dan, which begins on the 1st and ends on the 30th. This month-long fasting

period is observed from sunrise to sunset, during which practitioners forgo

food, drink, and other habits of comfort such as smoking. This method of

spiritual purification is especially difficult during the humidity and heat of

the summer months. We acknowledge this period by not consuming food or

drink outside of Camp Patriot; we also try to avoid scheduling any joint

training, as our host nation brethren are usually exhausted and not in the

mood for any strenuous activities.

As the temperatures rise, so has our operational tempo. Divers

are on call throughout theater, from the ports of Oman to the shores of

Iraq, the harbor of Kuwait to the dams of Afghanistan. The hard work and

training that was conducted in Hawaii is definitely paying dividends. While

we are always seeking training opportunities, mission comes first, and we

always look forward to being utilized for our unique engineering capability.

With all the activity going on around us, sometimes it’s important

to shut out the distractions and focus on personal development. Many mem-

bers of 7th Dive have taken this personal mission to heart in the form of

enrolling in multiple college courses, investing their time in financial educa-

tion, learning a foreign language, or perfecting the skill of lifting three

times their body weight. Whatever the challenge we undertake, it’s impor-

tant to remember that strong teams are composed of strong individuals;

I’m inspired everyday by the dedication and discipline shown by each of our

team members, each in their own unique way.

Hooyah! Deep Sea!

SGT Hoover teaches an underwater demolitions class to Kuwait

EOD Divers in preparation for a joint training exercise.

Old trucks are removed from the Kuwait Naval Base’s

port for their future use as underwater demolition.

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An Army Diver

suited up and

ready.


Vol 1, No. 2

7th EDT is on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/7th-Engineer-

Dive-Team/105525036159201

Page 9 of 10

319th Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)

Demolition Operations By 1LT Keith Toohey 319th Ordnance Company (EOD) Udari Range, Kuwait—In support of the U.S. retrograde EOD technicians and members of the 1/34th HBCT destroy un-serviceable ammunition by detonation. Every day thousands of pounds of ammunition come out of Iraq to Kuwait to be shipped home to the United States. Any unserviceable ammunition is transferred to the 319th Ordnance Company (EOD) for disposal. To date the 319th EOD has destroyed over 2.5 million lbs of unserviceable ammunition. A typical day at the range starts by moving the ordnance very early in the morning to the range. After arriving at the range, we have our morning safety briefing and then it is time to get to work. The ordnance is then downloaded from the PLS’s and stacked under the supervision of the EOD Technicians. Once all the ordnance has been downloaded the trucks and person-nel return to the safe area while the EOD Technicians set up the demolition charges and remote firing systems. Then it is time for the hours of hard work to pay off. Each day EOD gives a different member of the support crew the chance to detonate the demolition shot. After EOD verifies that the detonation was successful it is time to head back to home base and try to catch the tail end of breakfast.

Neatly stacking the ordnance ensures total destruction of every item. This is where the training and expertise of

EOD technicians separates us from the other demolition certified individuals in the military.

2500lbs detonation of high explosives.

Typical setup of a demolition shot hole.

1LT Toohey receives a gift from the Saudi Arabian EOD Commander during a farewell

lunch after the weeklong seminar.


Vol 1, No. 2

Kuwait Living—Life as we know it

Page 10 of 10


Vol 1, No. 2

Documents

1/34 BSTB Wild Times August Newsletter