PURPLE HEART... 432nd CTCTRUCK RODEO ...10

COALITION PARTNERS TRAIN

TO SAVE LIVES ...16

1st TSC OFFICER AWARDED

1ST TSC SOLDIERS LIVE THE ARMY

VALUES ... 26

2 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 3

1st TSC COMMAND TEAM

Commanding GeneralMaj. Gen. Darrell K. WilliamsCommand Sergeant MajorCommand Sgt. Maj. Nathaniel J. Bartee Sr.

Kuwait Deputy Commanding GeneralBrig. Gen. Rodney D. Fogg Kuwait Sergeant Major Command Sgt. Maj. Terry D. Burton 1st TSC PAO STAFF

Public Affairs OfficerMaj. Jeremy Passut

Public Affairs Sergeant MajorSgt. Maj. David RhodesPublic Affairs NCOICSgt. 1st Class Duane BrownPhotojournalistStaff Sgt. Josephine AmpleyPublic Affairs SpecialistStephenie TatumPublic Affairs SpecialistElizabeth Gerhart

In This Issue

The Black Jack Express is an authorized digital, command information publication published in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1, for members of the 1st Sustainment Command (The-ater). It is published by the 1st TSC Public Affairs Office at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Circula-tion is through email and the internet via DVIDS. Contents of the Black Jack Express magazine are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, or the Department of the Army or this command. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Army photos. Editorial input comes from the PAO staff as well as staff directorates and sections within the headquarters. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army.

Comments, questions, suggestions or have a

story idea to share? Call 1st TSC Public Affairs at (910) 643-4343 or e-mail

1sttsc@gmail.com.

Page 4

Page 10

Page 16

Page 22

Page 26

I’d like to first thank all of our Blackjack Soldiers who have been work-ing hard and contributed so much to the success of Living Army Values Week, our Spring Fling Ball and Fort Bragg’s post-wide Clean Sweep. But we’re not done. We still have more work to do here at home and in our operational theaters. With that in mind, it’s important that we hold all Soldiers accountable and enforce both the Army and Blackjack Standards, maintain discipline, be engaged leaders and always do what’s right regardless of the situation we may find our-selves in. Army and Blackjack Standards are nothing new, and we’ve talk-ed about this before. You’ve heard senior Army leadership talking about remembering where we

came from and why we are here. It’s time to put that into action, not only in our jobs but in ourselves as professional Soldiers. Everything we do from physical fitness training, to the office, to being home with our families – be committed. As Soldiers in the Army, we are all part of a team. It’s not enough just to take care of ourselves. We have to take care of the Soldiers

standing to the left and right of us in formation. As leaders, we owe a commitment to our Sol-diers. If you’re not do-ing what’s right, then how can you expect your Sol-diers to? Do what’s right, take care of your Soldiers and show them what right looks like. Lead by exam-ple! We are Soldiers, lead-ers and professionals. Not everyone can do what we do. Be proud of what you

do and the uniform you wear. Be-ing a Soldier is not just a 9-5 job. It is more than that. It is who we

are. Be proud of who you are and instill that pride in your fel-low Soldiers!

First Team!CSM Bartee

Command Sgt. Maj. Nathaniel J. Bartee of the 1st Sustainment Com-mand (Theater) talks about non-commissioned officer promotions Aug. 12 during a training and leader development conference at the Pope The-ater, Fort Bragg, N.C..

1st TSC Blackjack 7 Stresses the Importance of Being Proud, Professional Soldiers

This issue is dedicated to the most beloved sergeant at 1st Sustainment Command (Theater). The unit’s miniature mule mascot, Staff Sgt. John Blackjack, passed away the eve-ning of May 29 due to respiratory illness at the North Star Veterinary Hospital in Parkton. Blackjack had been the unit’s mascot since 1983 when he arrived as a 2-year-old private. He earned the rank of staff sergeant and was a fixture at many unit ceremonies and events through the years. His impact on Soldiers and leaders for the past thirty-two years was unwavering. “Blackjack proudly served under nine-teen commanders in his thirty-two years of service to his country. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed,” said Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, commander, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater). A memorial to honor Blackjack is scheduled for June 24.

4 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 5

SoldierPurple Heart

receives

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The 1st Sustainment Command (The-ater) held a Purple Heart ceremony for one of its own at Camp Arifjan March 13.

Maj. Charles Diggs, from Tus-kegee, Alabama, received the award from Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, 1st TSC commander. Diggs currently serves in the 1st TSC Support Operations Distribu-tion Integrations Branch.

When wounded in action, he was serving as executive officer of the 703rd Brigade Support Battal-ion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stew-art, Georgia.

On Nov. 4, 2013, Diggs was overseeing customs inspections at

Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, when two incom-ing 107 mm mortars impacted in the vicinity of where he was working. The resulting explosions caused shrapnel wounds and first- degree burns to his body.

“It all happened so fast. I re-member mostly being dazed and confused – simply trying to pro-cess everything that happened,” said Diggs. “I was really nervous because I couldn’t see my back or know how bad it was burned.”

The attack occurred less than a week prior to Diggs’ redeployment from theater. Due to his recovery and subsequent change of duty station, he was not able to receive the award until just over a year

following the action.Diggs grew up on a farm with

four brothers and a sister. All four of his brothers have served in the Army – two of whom are retired noncommissioned officers. In all, the Diggs brothers boast over 113 years of combined military ser-vice.

His youngest brother, Sgt. 1st Class Willie Diggs, is also a Purple Heart recipient, having sustained injuries from an improvised explo-sive device attack while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006. He is still on active duty and serves with the 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, commander of the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), pins the Purple Heart medal on Maj. Charles Diggs, 1st TSC Support Operations Distribution Integrations Branch, during a Purple Heart presentation ceremony March 13 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Story and photos by Maj. Joseph Odorizzi, 13th ESC Public Affairs

First Team Officer Awarded Long Awaited Medal

6 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 7

Maj. Charles Diggs, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) Support Operations Distribution Integrations Branch, speaks to the assembled crowd of fellow servicemembers during his Purple Heart presentation ceremony March 13 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Robyn Humphrey, center, a Senior Certified ChiRunning instructor, explains the benefits of proper form and breathing to Soldiers and civilians during a running clinic May 13 at Fort Bragg, N.C.’s Wright Field.

CHIRUNNING

(Left to right) Pfc. Anthony P. LaPanne, and Spc. Joshua M. Ko-zlowski, geospatial engineers, Operations Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps, along with Maj. Ester M. Morales Facdol, Supply and Services officer in charge, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), run and concentrate on their breathing and pace May 13 during a ChiRunning clinic at Fort Bragg, N.C.’s Wright Field.

Robyn Humphrey, a certified ChiRun-ning instructor, demonstrates the “dead bug” exercise during a running clinic May 13 for 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) and other Fort Bragg, N.C. Soldiers and civilians at Wright Field.

“When you look at the years of dedi-cated service to our nation, it is obvious that patriotism runs deep in Maj. Diggs’ family,” said Williams.

Over 100 Soldiers, noncommis-sioned officers and officers attended the ceremony, but the most honored guest, Diggs’ wife, Pearlice, was able to view through video teleconference from the 1st TSC conference room at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Pearlice is a retired Army veteran with 20 years of service as a military police officer.

“Viewing such a pivotal moment in our lives was emotional and more than I imagined,” said Pearlice. “We are eternally grateful to the 703rd BSB [command team], Soldiers and medical teams that provided care and support to us during a very difficult time.”

Originally designated as the Badge of Military Merit, the Purple Heart was established by George Washington – then commander-in-chief of the Conti-nental Army – on Aug. 7, 1782, and is the nation’s oldest military decoration. It is one of the most recognized and re-spected medals awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces. Although never officially abolished, the award was giv-en to no one following the American Revolution until it was re-introduced on Feb. 22, 1932, on the 200th anniver-sary of Washington’s birth.

Since 1932, the Purple Heart has been awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration.

“Receiving the Purple Heart is bit-tersweet,” said Williams. “Bitter be-cause of what one has to endure to re-ceive the award, but sweet because we are lucky to have [Diggs] still standing here with us today.”

The Purple HeartThe Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration.

8 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 9

1st TSC, Kuwaiti Forces Discuss Theater Cooperation

Story and photo by Sgt.1st Class Jason Kucera13th ESC Public Affairs

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Con-tinuing to foster a strong coalition relationship with the Kuwaiti mil-itary, Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Wil-liams, commanding general, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), spoke at the Kuwait Ministry of Defense Mubarak Al Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College April 14, hosted by Brig. Gen. Ab-dullah Al-Dashti, commandant, of the advanced school. The speaking engagement was designed to give not only the Ku-waiti officers in attendance an in-depth brief of what the 1st TSC looks like on paper, but to the many other coalition officers who attend the advanced military school, as well.

Williams started off discuss-ing the logistical training exercise on-going with Kuwaiti Forces, “We’ve been conducting a bi-later-al exercise called KAZMA II, tak-ing a look at scenarios that could happen in Kuwait, and how we as logisticians might be able to assist (Kuwaiti forces).”

While talking through some of the exercise challenges, he men-tioned how U.S. forces would sup-port the variety of dynamics that would come up in the unfortunate

event of an attack within the Ku-wait boundary. Some of these re-sponses may include supporting the movement of internally dis-placed civilians and medical relief.

“This is a theater cooperation event. You cannot surge relation-ships, if something like this hap-pens in the middle of the night, it’s too late to try and develop a relationship with Kuwaiti Forces leadership. The time to develop that relationship is now,” Williams continued, “to gain a fair under-standing of how we operate. How you operate.”

Following the commanding general’s briefing he took a few questions from the various foreign officers in attendance. Some of-ficers were from the United Arab Emirates, Republic of Korea, Aus-tralian and British forces, as well as Kuwaiti military. Williams an-swered questions about the United States Department of Defense bud-get challenges, along with a ques-tion about what he thought the fu-ture of coalition forces might look with the continued rising threat of Da’esh across the Arabian land-scape.

Brig. Gen. Abdullah Al-Dashti (left), commandant, Kuwait Ministry of Defense Mubarak Al Ab-dullah Joint Command and Staff College, presents Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams (right), com-manding general, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), with a certificate of appreciation follow-ing his speaking engagement April 14.

U.S. Military Retrograde from AfghanistanTHE PUSH

A two-part series highlighting The 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) and its subordinate units contributions to the historical retrograde effort in Afghanistan during Operation Reliable Tempo.

To read Part One click here.To read Part Two click here.How well do you know your nation’s Army?

Click here to learn more!

10 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 11

treyd

uceTRUCK

RODEOStory and photos by Spc. Rochelle Prince-Krueger, 3rd SB Public Affairs

Spc. Jonathan Estrada, left, and Sgt. Richard Franco, assigned to 32nd Composite Truck Company, 541st Combat Sustain-ment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, flip a tire during the combat physical fitness test of Trey Duce’s truck ro-deo April 29 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The Truck rodeo consist-ed of seven events in two days that tested the Soldiers mental, physical and technical skills of being a motor transport operator.

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The Soldiers of 32nd Composite Truck Company, 541st Combat Sus-tainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade are highly competitive.

No matter what the Trey Duce Soldiers are doing they want to compete against one another. With that being said, these Soldiers were no stranger to the com-petition of the truck rodeo at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait April 29-30.

“Since before we left Fort Carson, Col-orado, to come on this deployment, 32nd has always been competi-tive,” said Spc. Edgar Cardenas, a motor transport operator assigned to 32nd CTC.

“It doesn’t matter if it is platoon verses platoon or Soldier verses Soldier, it is dog eats dog

competition for everything from physical fitness to best uniform.”

First Lt. Grant Hardy, a platoon leader in 32nd CTC, was charged with organizing the event. While in Kuwait, the Soldiers of Trey Duce are responsible for driving

various cargo to different locations throughout Kuwait. They utilize the Heavy Equipment Transport System and 915 Tractor Trailer- Line Haul Truck, more commonly

called a HET and 915 respective-ly, which can transport almost anything the Army has including tanks, connexes and other vehicles.

“The events were chosen based on what we do here in Kuwait,” said Hardy. “They tested physi-

cal, mental and technical skills of our drivers to see who gets to hold the title of being the best within our company.”

The company paired one noncommissioned officer (sergeant) and one Soldier (private-special-ist) together as a team.

“We wanted to keep squad integrity and this helps build comradery within each platoon,” said Hardy. “We paired one experienced Soldier

(the NCO) and one novice Soldier together to make it fair.”

Though it is still only spring in Kuwait, the temperature on both days of competition rose to

“It doesn’t matter if it is platoon verses platoon or Soldier verses Soldier, it is

dog eats dog competition for everything from physical fitness to best uniform.”- Spc. Edgar Cardenas

12 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 13

over 100 degrees, the heat was no match for any of the Soldiers at the truck rodeo. The first event started while the sun was still down at 5 a.m. with a combat physical fitness test.

“The combat PT test was the hardest for me,” said Sgt. Jody Halovsky, a team leader in 32nd CTC. “With our teammate we had to do a tire flip, chain drag, another tire flip, climb over three trailers, carry two full five-gallon water canteens, then come back through the entire course ending with the last tire flips.”

The average time it took for a team to complete the course was about four minutes, 30 seconds. “We chose to incorporate tires and chains in the combat pt test be-cause we as 88 [transportation] se-ries utilize chains and tires almost every day,” said Hardy. “After the combat PT test we moved on to tie-downs.”

Each team was timed on both types of trailers. The 915 trail-ers had two pallets of cargo that they had to use ratchet straps on. The HET trailers had a Cai-man-mine-resistant ambush-pro-tected multi-theater vehicle that needed to be properly tied down with chains.

“The tie-downs were the easiest for me because I do it every day; I didn’t have to thank about it I just did it,” said Cardenas, who primarily drives a HET. “This was my first rodeo so I was not sure on what to expect.”

After the tie-down competition they took a physical break and challenged their mental abilities by taking a written test which consist-ed of true/false, multiple choice

and fill in the blank answers. Once completed with the written exam, the Soldiers were back outside in their truck completing a radio test.

Each team had to hook up the radio in the truck and fill it with the proper information to do a radio check. The final event of day one was a preventative mainte-nance checks and services.

“PMCS on our vehicles is a must for us because we drive them so much,” said Halovsky who was paired up with Cardenas. “We had five minutes to find 10 deadline faults that the mechanics in our company set up.”

The next morning all of the Soldiers competed in a timed 5K ruck march. Their total combined weight had to equal at least 70 pounds. Then the Trey Duce was on the last stretch of the truck rodeo, with the driving test.

“I thought the driving was the easiest,” said Halovsky, who drove the 915 for the driving test. “There were some tight turns with the ser-pentine trail and backing up to a 90 degree angle was also tough, I’ve been driving for so long it didn’t seem that difficult.”

Halovsky and Cardenas cur-rently hold the bragging rights for 32nd CTC. They won the overall competition and were crowned best in the truck rodeo, receiving an Army Achievement Medal.

“I was surprised we beat out some of my peers,” said Cardenas. “I am excited that we won.”

“I always just want my Soldier to be the best and try to set that example,” said Halovsky. “And there is nothing better than being a team with my Soldier and us being the best.”

Top: Sgt. Darnell Singleton, assigned to 32nd Composite Truck Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade attaches the chain to a caiman on a Heavy Equipment Trans-porter trailer during the tie-down portion of Trey Duce’s truck rodeo at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, April 29. The Truck rodeo consist-ed of seven events in two days that tested the Soldiers mental, physical and technical skills of being a motor transport operator.

Middle Left: Spc. Michael Rodriguez, assigned to 32nd Composite Truck Com-pany, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, rolls over a 915 trailer during the combat physi-cal fitness test of Trey Duce’s truck rodeo at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, April 29.

Middle Right: Sgt. Charles Mckeown, assigned to 32nd Composite Truck Com-pany, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, rolls over a 915 trailer during the combat physi-cal fitness test of Trey Duce’s truck rodeo at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, April 29.

Bottom: A Heavy Equipment Transport System, assigned to 32nd Composite Truck Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Sup-port Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, drives in an S pattern for the driving test portion of Trey Duce’s truck rodeo at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, April 29.

14 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 15

Coalition Provided Equipment Erogram Helps Ensure Partner Success

Story and photo by Summer Barkley 401st AFSB Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Coalition forc-es have a theater provided equipment program to en-sure they have what is needed for missions thanks to the 401st Army Field Support Brigade’s Coalition Provided Equipment warehouse. U.S. Soldiers from Task Force Sabre 2nd Squad-ron, 3rd Infantry Regiment, visited the CPE ware-house recently to draw night-vision equipment, which they will sub-hand receipt to coalition partners. The equipment that left the warehouse shelf in the afternoon would be in the hands of their coalition partner that night, Capt. Philip J. Kistler, TF Sabre S4 officer, said. Kistler and Sgt. Larry T. Wall, TF Sabre S4 non-commissioned officer in charge, verified serial num-bers on the night-vision equipment before placing it into a bag designed to hold the device and the basic issue items that accompany each piece of equipment. The basic issue items bags were assembled earlier by Anibal Soto-Rivera, CPE operations manager, and Jimmy E. Law, CPE inventory management special-ist. The basic issue items were culled from turn-ins to the 401st AFSB found-on-installation program, AFSBn-Afghanistan’s redisposition property assis-tance team, and the 4th Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade’s forward retrograde element yards. Soto-Rivera said the items for each kit are inspect-ed to ensure they are serviceable and then the kits are assembled. The actual night-vision equipment is stored in a separate locked area and inventoried daily for property accountability. “We will provide coalition partners with night-vi-sion and passive infrared capability,” Kistler said. “They will be using the equipment tonight.” The CPE warehouse operates similar to a central issue facility in which it can issue boots, cold weather gear, organizational clothing, and individual equip-ment; but it differs in that, it also issues items like the night-vision and communication equipment. Soto-Rivera said he acts as a liaison between the

CPE and U.S. hand receipt holders, who act as spon-sor units for coalition partners. “The CPE is very important,” Soto-Rivera said. “Anything I miss or fail to communicate could mean mission failure.” The sponsor units are authorized to draw equip-ment through an operational needs statement, coa-lition operational needs statement or taskers from higher headquarters. He said it is very common for sponsors to comment that they “need one for tonight’s mission.” He said he sees the CPE mission growing as there is increased coalition support under the Resolute Sup-port Mission and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.The CPE program is authorized to support troops from 21 coalition partners.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Derrick Swetnam (Center) helps Sgt. 1st Class Carrie Southwell pull the im-mersion suit over her head during an abandon ship drill at sea, March 11. Swetnam and Southwell are the first mate and first sergeant for 355th Transpor-tation Detachment aboard the Logistic Support Ves-sel-6, “Spc. James A. Loux.”

LSV-6 refines skills with drills

Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Elam, commander of Logistic Sup-port Vessel -6, “Spc. James A. Loux,” oversees Soldiers raising the anchor to head back to port after a day of training and drills.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Derrick Swetnam speaks into his radio during a battle station drill at sea, March 11. Swetnam is the first mate aboard Logistic Support Vessel-6, “Spc. James A. Loux”.

Fire team one consisting of Spc. Nathaniel Mayo, Spc. Matthew Green, Spc. Tyler Caron, Sgt. Raynard Peralta and Spc. Israel Maleck practice switching posi-tions on the fire hose while main-taining aim on the target during a fire drill at sea, March 11.

Sgt. Larry T. Wall, left, Task Force Sabre, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment S4 noncommissioned officer in charge, and Capt. Philip J. Kistler, Task Force Sabre S4 officer-in-charge, load night-vision equip-ment and basic issue items into a box.

16 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 17

Coalition Partners Train to Save Lives in Afghanistan

Story and photos by Sgt. Adam Erlewein4th RSSB Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Wrangler medics from the 4th Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade conducted a Combat Life Saver refresher course for troops from the Czech military which focused on import-ant lifesaving techniques April 17 at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. The CLS course is mandato-ry for all U.S. Army Soldiers to take prior to deploying to theaters of operations and has proven ex-tremely affective towards treating

injured Soldiers on the battlefield. The Wrangler medics having

already provided several CLS courses to many of the Department of Defense civilians on BAF, were contacted by the 21st Brigade En-gineer Battalion, Task Force Solid to assist with training their Czech partners.

Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Lo-pez-Bonaglia a native of Brook-line, New Hampshire and the Medical Operations noncommis-sioned officer-in-charge for the 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th RSSB communicated with the newly arrived Czech leadership to organize pertinent training that

was structured to their needs.“After talking with them we

were able to figure out what they wanted from our medics, and the things they wanted to go over that had to do with tactical casualty combat care,” said Lopez. “We also went over how to apply a Junction tourniquet (a specialized tourniquet that applies pressure to the pelvis area), how to proper-ly call in a MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) and a MIST report (Mechanism of injury, type of In-jury, Sign, and Treatment given).”

Wrangler medics also taught the Czech soldiers how to ap-ply tourniquets to limbs, apply

pressure bandages, and how to correctly treat other types of bat-tlefield wounds. The Czech sol-diers were then given the oppor-tunity to practice what they had learned with the Wrangler medics providing assistance and correc-tions to ensure the Czechs fully understood these lifesaving skills.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Mi-lon Neumayer, a native of Plzen, Czech Republic with the 4th Bri-gade Quick Reaction Airborne unit, was one of the Czech soldiers who received the valuable training from the Wrangler medics, and performed many of the training exercises flawlessly.

“This is a very good experience and will help us save our guys in case they get hurt, and help keep my guys alive,” said Neumayer.

Normally U.S. Soldiers don’t Sgt. Joshua Garcia, a health care specialist with 4th Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade, provides a block of instructions during a recent Com-bat Life Savers course April 17 on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. Garcia was teaching Czech soldiers from Task Force Solid how to properly check a casualty by ensuring to check the front and back of the casualty in case they are injured.

get the o p p o r -t u n i t y to assist with the training of other nation’s m i l i -t a r i e s . H o w -ever, by g i v i n g t h e s e import-ant life-s a v i n g classes, the Wranglers were able to see why it’s imporant to work together as a coalition force while deployed.

“I think we have very good cooperation together and are very

glad to be able to share with your (Soldiers) experiences,” said Neu-mayer. “A lot of our guys really do enjoy working with our coalition forces.”

Wrangler medics from 4th Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade and Czech soldiers from Task Force Solid pose for a photo after combat lifesaver training April 17 that was conducted by the Wrangler medics to the incoming Czech soldiers on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan.

Spc. Ashley Jones, a health care specialist with 4th Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade, and a Victorville, Calif., native, demonstrates how to properly apply a pressure tourniquet April 17 with Chief Warrant Officer 5 Milon Neumayer, a na-tive of Plzen, Czech Republic, on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan,

18 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 19

1108th TASMG Offers ‘Highly Motivating’ Special Conditioning Program

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Amber Simpkins1108th TASMG Public Affairs

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Spc. William Harrison started noticing the results almost immediately. After his last sprint workout where he raced around the track for 45 minutes, the automated lo-gistical specialist was worn out but ecstatic.

“The special conditioning [physical training] has improved my cardio fitness and my core strength,” said Harrison, who has spent four years in the Gulf-port, Mississippi-based 1108th Theater Aviation Sustainment

Maintenance Group. “I feel like I’ve improved my run time a good bit with the speed work that we do.”

He will need to continue im-proving it so he can pass his Army Physical Fitness Test.

Spc. Reece Perkins, also in the physical training program, said, “My run time has improved and I’m highly motivated to continue improving.”

In the coming months, he hopes to head to the warrior leader course at Camp Beuhring in Kuwait where the Mississippi National Guardsman will work side-by-side with active duty personnel going through the leadership course, a

prerequisite to becoming a non-commissioned officer.

Harrison and Perkins are not alone. They are only two in a group of 1108th TASMG Soldiers who report in the early mornings to Master Sgt. Vernon Dedeaux’s own version of boot camp led by Sgt. Henry Franklin, except, the goals are different: lose weight, improve physical fitness and eat healthier than ever before.

“In regards to my PT group, I want to be the best and that carries over to training the group. How can I be the best if I can’t make those around me the best they can be?,” Franklin said.

The physical training program is actually part of a special Army program designed for Soldiers who are striving, but struggling to meet existing standards.

Sgt. Amos Packard describes the program as “highly motivat-ing” adding, “It’s all or nothing.”

Army Regulation 350-1 states, “Special conditioning programs are appropriate for Soldiers who have difficulty meeting unit goals or Army standards.”

Franklin shared his insight on keeping up the motivation and his role in the special conditioning PT program.

“I use playfulness and joking to challenge every individual based on their different personality type. I always say, ‘You won’t do it’ or ‘I bet you can’t.’ It keeps the mood fun and it enables me to push them harder like that,” said Franklin. “I never focus on what I can do al-ready. I continue to dare myself to do better. Basically, I ‘you won’t do it’ myself in every task. In re-gards to my PT group, I want to be the best and that carries over to

training the group.”Leading a physical training

group is more than getting out there every morning and working out.

“Absolutely, I try and keep them motivated throughout the whole day and stay on them about what they eat and drink,” said Franklin, when asked if he continues to work with the Soldiers after sessions are over. “In the evenings I work with a small group of the guys who do not have very much experience in the gym. I make them focus on prop-er technique rather than ‘looking cool’ and using too much weight.”

Franklin has dedicated much time and effort to not only help Soldiers better themselves but he’s become a better person and leader in the process.

“This might have been more beneficial for me than it has hope-fully been for them. It has com-pletely motivated me and their motivation has been an absolute blessing. I personally want to see every single person do more than

they ever thought they could. My final quote would be, ‘I always ex-ude excellence and I will continue to do that in any role that the com-mand places me in.’”

The 1108th TASMG’s phys-ical training pro-gram is following the guidance set forth in AR 350-1. The program’s goal is to get Sol-diers physically fit while keeping

them motivated to continue to improve

and set new personal goals after reaching their current one. This physical training program is that like none other, said Franklin. They have a special group of peo-ple, leaders and participants that are dedicated to motivating each other. Some are in the program needing to lose weight, some need to improve their APFT score, and others are getting ready to attend the warrior leader course.

No matter the reason, they all work together to meet the stan-dard and to help each other surpass one goal and move on to the next. Franklin stresses that motivation is the key to the success of the pro-gram and without that, the program would not be as successful. In the first month, three Soldiers have successfully passed their Army Physical Fitness Test and all others have significantly improved.

Staff Sgt. Ronald McDonald, left, Master Sgt. Vernon Dedeaux and run with Staff Sgt. Adam Griffin to the finish line during an Army Physical Fitness Test May 1 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Staff Sgt. Michael Gange demonstrates the proper pushup during an Army Physical Fitness Test May 1 Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

20 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 21

Story and photos by Capt. Jennifer DyrczTF Sinai Public Affairs

EL GORAH, Egypt – Peacekeep-ers from the Multinational Force and Observers, to include a flight surgeon, veterinarian and dog han-dler, practiced real world medical evacuation procedures April 21 when they airlifted a U.S. military working dog from the Sinai Penin-sula of Egypt to Tel Aviv, Israel.

Dano was suffering from an ex-posed nerve resulting from a prior root canal and needed immediate attention. The closest location for Dano and his handler was an hour flight to Israel.

“This is the first time Dano has been medevac’d,” said Staff Sgt. John Breyer, military working dog handler who has been paired with Dano for four years. “The standard for these dogs is to have a high lev-el of care.”

Unfortunately for Dano the camp in Egypt where he calls home does not have the capabilities to provide this high level of care.

“The military working dogs program is new to the MFO and while we are working on getting the supplies needed to do a canine dental procedure on North Camp, currently our medical infrastruc-ture is not as robust as we would like,” said Capt. Miranda Andress, force veterinarian for the MFO.

Luckily for Andress, Dano and Breyer Dr. Yoav Bar-Am and the Hebrew University Veterinary Teaching Hospital just outside of Tel Aviv was fully equipped to put the bite back in this K-9.

Bar-Am, who assessed the

damage to the tooth, was able to repair it by confirming the previ-ous root canal work was still intact and capping off the tooth further concealing the root.

“For a working dog we attempt

to do heroic things to save the tooth so they can continue to go about their jobs,” said Bar-Am, who has operated on U.S. and Israeli work-ing dogs in both the United States and Israel.

Fixing a K-9’s canine: Medevac delivers military working dog to helping hands

U.S. military working dogs are considered as Soldiers and afforded full health care and medevac as required.

“We needed to set up a medevac system uniquely for them as we cannot send them to a human hospital,” said Col. Keith Hiatt, MFO Force surgeon. “To ensure the system we designed is operational we had to test it and since Dano needed dental care beyond our current capability, he was chosen as our test subject.”

Thanks to the treatment he re-ceived Dano and his Peacekeep-ing team, were able to fly home the same day, healthy and return-ing to full duty.

“We accomplished our goals, the plan was tested and Dano got the care he needed,” said Andress.

Dano, a military working dog, and his handler Staff Sgt. John Breyer prepare to board a Multina-tional Force and Observer’s UH-60 Black Hawk as the sun sets April 26 over MFO’s North Camp in El Gorah, Egypt. Dano was medically evacuated to Tel Aviv, Israel for a dental procedure. He returned to North Camp the same day with a clean bill of health.

Staff Sgt. John Breyer (left), a military working dog handler, holds the muzzle of his dog, Dano, while veterinary student Tomer Ben Ari (right) starts pre-surgery checks at the Hebrew University Veterinary Teaching Hospital just outside of Tel Aviv, Israel April 26. Dano was medically evacuated to Tel Aviv, Israel for a dental procedure. He returned to North Camp the same day with a clean bill of health.

Veterinary student Adi Hershkovits (left) observes Dr. Yoav Bar-Am (right) cap an exposed root canal in Dano (center), a military working dog, at the Hebrew University Veterinary Teaching Hospital just outside of Tel Aviv, Israel April 26. Dano was medically evacuated to Tel Aviv for a dental procedure. He returned to North Camp the same day with a clean bill of health.

22 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 23

Kazma II logistics exercise brings together U.S., Kuwait militaries

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson13th ESC Public Affairs

KUWAIT – Soldiers with the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) – Operational Command Post partnered with their Kuwait army counterparts during a sustainment and logistics focused tabletop training exercise known as Kazma II at the Kuwait Ministry of De-fense Logistic Operations Com-mand, April 12-16.

During the exercise, the two partner nations were able to col-laborate, using their knowledge and experiences to solve different

challenging scenarios and generate a common solution.

“It was a great opportunity to learn one another’s capabilities and procedures for working differ-ent logistics operations,” said Lt. Col. Dean Huard, deputy support operations officer of the 13th Sus-tainment Command (Expedition-ary) and 1st TSC-OCP.

Huard also served as the lead American director for the exercise. Huard continued to say that learn-ing each other’s standard operating procedures was a teaching point that greatly benefited the under-standing of both sides.

“We are two different countries,

two separate methods of coming to a conclusive decision,” said Huard. “Neither method was incorrect, and I think we both learned some different ways that we can improve our own procedures.”

Lt. Col. Hamoud Alazmi, the exercise director with the Kuwait army, agreed that the exercise was beneficial for all the logistics pro-fessionals who participated, stat-ing that, “Anytime you can come together with another military and learn from each other, it strength-ens a unit as a whole.”

Additionally, the exercise was an excellent opportunity to forge strong working relationships

between the partner nations.“The tactics of the exercise were

fantastic, we understand some of [the Kuwaiti military] capabilities, and they understand some of our capabilities,” said Maj. Gen. Dar-rell Williams, commander of the 1st TSC. “But the real purpose of the exercise was to begin to build interoperability and relationships. With good relationships, we can do anything.”

Although many training ex-ercises have taken place over the years between the U.S. and Kuwait militaries, this was the first joint training opportunity focusing on logistics and sustainment.

Williams stated that this train-ing exercise had been in planning

for more than a year, and although it was the first exercise of many to come, he said that he was happy with the outcome.

“With every new exer-cise, there are some challenges, everything will not be perfect, but then again, war is not perfect. But, what determines success from failure is the ability to adapt. That is exactly what I have seen over the course of the exercise,” said Williams.

“I’ve seen an initial concept that we’ve spent the last year trying to develop, I’ve seen some of it work, and some of it not work so good, but then throughout the course of the exercise, we have adapted, and because of that we have been

successful. I am very happy with the relationships that have been developed.”

Williams said that he looks forward to growing this from a tabletop planning exercise, into a full-fledged field training exercise in the future. Additionally, he said that he looks forward to working in partnership with the Kuwait military going forward.

“Based on this exercise, and the ones we will have in the future, I personally feel very, very comfortable now, after having met with the professional officers and noncommissioned officers on both sides, as happened in peace, if we have to work together in war, we will be successful,” said Williams.

Staff Sgt. Adrian Haley, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Support Operations, discusses a training objective with an officer of the Ku-wait army during the Kazma II logistics tabletop training exercise at the Kuwait Ministry of Defense Logistic Operations Command Center April 12.

Maj. Gen. Darrell K.Williams, right, commander of the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), discusses the training objectives with Maj. Gen. Lafti Al Aazmi, Kuwait deputy chief of staff for logistics, during the Kazma II logistics tabletop training exercise at the Kuwait Ministry of Defense Lo-gistic Operations Command Center April 15. The training exercise was not only an opportunity to learn each other’s standard operating procedures, but also an excellent chance to work together and build relationships and interoperability between the two partner militaries.

24 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 25

U.S. Army Soldiers Partner with Colombian Service Members to Combat

Sexual Assault

Spc. Cheyenne Carter, a dental assistant for Medical Company, 1st Support Battalion, Task Force Sinai, practices her striking offensive during a self-de-fense class April 27 on North Camp in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. The class, which was hosted by Staff Sgt. Tyrone Euell, a quality control non-commissioned officer for Aviation Company, 1st Support Battalion and Task Force Sinai, was part of a month-long class for the annual Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

Colombian soldiers from the Multinational Force and Observers practice their striking offensive during a self-defense class April 27 on North Camp in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt.

Col. Clark Lindner, commander for Task Force Sinai and chief of staff for the Multinational Force and Observers, teaches take-down techniques to a soldier from the Colombian army during a self-de-fense class on North Camp in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt April 27.

Illinois Army Reserve Takes Reigns of Theater Movement Operations

Story and photo by Spc. Rochelle Prince-Krue-ger3rd SB Public Affairs

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – As one chapter comes to a close, so must another begin. For Soldiers with the 49th Movement Control Battalion, out of Fort Hood, Texas, their nine-month deployment to Af-ghanistan and Kuwait concluded April 15, as movement opera-tions transitioned to a new team who will continue to scribe the transportation story in the Mid-dle East.

In a transfer of authority ceremony, the 419th Move-ment Control Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve, Bartonville, Il-linois, officially assumed the theater movement control mis-sion as their unit colors unfold-ed at Camp Arifjan and the 49th MCB’s were cased.

“We are humbled and grate-ful for the warm reception and execution of the relief in place,” said Lt. Col. Keith Barta, who leads 419th MCB with Com-mand Sgt. Maj. Darren Dwyer. “We are looking forward to per-forming to the upmost of our abilities managing theater trans-portation.”

The 419th MCB command team replaces Lt. Col. Myron Bell and Command Sgt. Maj. Juan Diaz De Leon, who left Fort Hood, Texas, in July 2014 to go to Bagram, Afghanistan.

“We completed over 500 flights moving more than 6,100 passengers and 33,500 pounds of

cargo throughout Afghanistan,” said Bell, who hails from Wich-ita, Kansas. “Additionally, we facilitated movement of 61,700 pounds of mail and processed almost 8,000 national Afghan trucking contracted movement requests.” About half way through their deployment, their team was re-missioned to Kuwait to con-tinue their efforts with the-ater-level movement control op-erations. “Most recently, we managed the $19 million ground transpor-tation contract in Kuwait,” added Bell. “We helped to re-establish the ground line of communica-tion between Kuwait and Iraq at the Khabari crossing.”

Col. Tony Coston, command-er of the 3rd Sustainment Bri-gade, presided over the ceremo-ny.

“The 49th MCB has partnered with 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), the Surface Deploy-

ment and Distribution Com-mand, Theater Gateway, Kuwait Ministry of Interior, and all six Regional Commands in Afghan-istan,” said Coston.

“The Transportation Corps has a motto - ‘Nothing happens until something moves’. In the Central Command- nothing hap-pens and nothing moves without the 49th.” “We take pride in knowing that we’ve answered our nation’s call with honor, integrity and great distinction,” said Bell. “It is now 419th’s turn to continue the transportation legacy.” Though, the 419th MCB hails from Illinois, it is comprised of Soldiers throughout the Mid-west, including Iowa, Minne-sota, Michigan and Wisconsin. They left their homes in Feb-ruary to mobilize at Fort Hood, Texas. They will be assisting in Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Resolute Support and Operation Spartan Shield.

Lt. Col. Myron Bell, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Juan Diaz de Leon, the command team of the 49th Movement Control Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, case their unit guide-on, during a ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, April 15. 49th Movement Control Battalion relinquished authority of operations to the 419th Movement Control Battalion, U.S. Army Reserves- Bartonville, Ill., after they completed their nine-month mission in Afghanistan and Kuwait.

26 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 27

1st TSC Soldiers Live the Army Values

Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, commander of the 1st Sus-tainment Command (Theater), leads the Soldiers of the 1st TSC-Operational Command Post on a spiritual fitness com-mand run March 11 to kick off the Living Army Values Week at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company’s 2nd Platoon, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), cheer after answering a question correctly during the Army Values Leadership Bowl May 4 at the Fort Bragg Conference and Catering Center, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Soldiers with the 1100th Theater Aviation Support and Maintenance Group celebrate with their esprit de corps trophy at the 1st Sustainment Com-mand (Theater) – Operational Command Post Living Army Values Week award ceremony March 13 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The 1100th TASMG Soldiers won the trophy by showcasing the most motivation during the 1st TSC command run on March 11 to kick off the Living Army Values Week.

As a part of Living Army Values Week, Sgt. Maj. Christopher Cosby (left) and Lt. Col. Douglas Peluso (right), with the 18th Financial Management Sustainment Center, pack non-perish-able food items for people in need May 5 at the Fayetteville Urban Ministry in Fayetteville, N.C. Living Army Values Week was organized by the 1st TSC Command Chaplain’s Office to enhance the moral, ethical and spiritual development of the 1st TSC family.

Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), 1st Sustainment Command (Theater)-Opera-tional Command Post, work to clean up trash from a local Kuwaiti beach March 12 as a community service project as part of the 1st TSC-OCP’s Living Army Values Week for Soldiers at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

For the full stories click here for the MCP and here for the OCP.

310th ESC Team Soldiers Receive 1st TSC Combat Patch for Wartime Service

Story and photo by Capt. A. Sean Taylor310th ESC Public Affairs

IRAQ – Soldiers from the 310th Sustainment Command (Expedi-tionary) Forward Advise and As-sist Team, a specialized logistics unit deployed to advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, were awarded their right sleeve combat patch during a ceremony April 29.

The combat patch is officially known as the “Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, Former Wartime Serve” and is awarded to a unit that has actively participated in or sup-ported overseas ground combat operations against hostile forces and confirms a Soldier’s status as a combat veteran.

Soldiers from the U.S. Army Reserve 310th ESC, Indianapolis, were deployed to Fort Hood at the end of October to take over oper-ations for the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) from Fort Hood, Texas, who deployed to Kuwait to serve as the Opera-tional Command Post for the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) from Fort Bragg, North Carolina. A specialized unit was identified from their ranks to join with Sol-diers from the active component 82nd Sustainment Brigade, also from Fort Bragg, to deploy as lo-gistics advisers to Camp Taji, Iraq.

Members of the 310th A&A were awarded the insignia of the 1st TSC by Col. Michael Midkiff, A&A Officer-in-Charge.

The 1st TSC insignia is a two inch disk in diameter with a red edge and blue center surrounding

a white diagonal arrow and sym-bolizes the speed and efficiency of the organization in its supply mission. The arrow points to 1030 hours as a reminder that the mission is always accomplished before the 11th hour.

For the majority of Soldiers within the A&A team, this com-bat patch is not their first. Many have served multiple deploy-ments to Iraq and Afghanistan during the last 13 years, but for about five members, this was their first.

Staff Sgt. David Beasley, a Reservist and tank mechanic with over 19 years of military service, is serving his first over-seas mission.

“I feel like I have finally come full circle in my military career with this deployment,” Beasley said. “I have spent 19 years train-

ing for this and I finally get to put all the training and knowledge to use.”

Although Soldiers are au-thorized to wear combat patch-es from past deployments, the 310th A&A team will all wear the 1st TSC patch while serving on their current mission.

“There is no better way to display cohesion, teamwork and unity of effort while in combat then openly displaying a com-mon patch,” Sgt. Maj. Terence Clay, the 310th A&A sergeant major, explained.

The Army is the only U.S. military service that authorizes a Soldier to wear a combat patch. Members of the A&A team will now be seen with the 310th ESC or 82nd Sust. Bde. patch on their left arm and the 1st TSC on their right.

Col. Michael Midkiff, 310th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Forward Advise and Assist Team officer in charge, awards a combat patch to Staff Sgt. David Revels-Velez, human resources specialist,1st Sustainment Command (Theater) during a ceremony April 28. Soldiers from the 310th A&A, a specialized logistics unit, deployed to advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

28 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 BLACKJACK EXPRESS | ISSUE 002 29

Story and photos byStaff Sgt. Jason Kucera13th ESC Public Affairs

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Two transportation Soldiers have earned the distinction of “Best War-riors” for the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) following a grueling competition in Kuwait, May 4-8. Sgt. Markevous Humphrey and Pfc. Ashley Meadows, both motor transport operators with the 32nd Composite Truck Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 1st TSC, were honored along with all other participants at an awards ceremony May 11. The competition was designed to test the strength, knowledge and fortitude of all the com-petitors through several events, including an Army physical fitness test, marksmanship, Army warrior task drills, land navigation, 12-mile road march, written exam and formal board. “Though there is only one Soldier and one NCO

to claim the title of 1st TSC Best Warrior, each of you have demonstrated your own commitment to living the Army values and warrior ethos through-out this competition,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Nathaniel Bartee, the command sergeant major of the 1st TSC.The best warrior competition was a culmination of months of planning and preparation by the 1st TSC staff and subordinate units. “This competition would not have happened without the tireless work that happened behind the scenes,” said Bartee. “This was a great event. It challenged these Soldiers and NCOs, and set the conditions for the Soldiers to compete against one another, but most importantly, they competed to the Army standard.” The competitors have also been preparing for months in anticipation of this event, both physical-ly and mentally. Humphrey and Meadows said they continued to train and prepare together since they were select-ed as the NCO and Soldier of the year for the 3rd

Spc. Navar Bryant, with the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), fires his assigned weapon at the marksmanship range during the 1st TSC Best Warrior Competition May 6 in Kuwait. The competition was designed to test the strength, knowl-edge and fortitude of all the competitors through several events, including marksmanship, Army physical fitness test, Army warrior task drills, land-navigation, 12-mile road march, written exam and formal board.

Sgt. Markevous Humphrey, left, and Pfc. Ashley Meadows, motor transport op-erators with the 32nd Composite Truck Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 1st Sustainment Command (The-ater), push forward in a 12-mile road march May 7 during the early morning hours of the 1st TSC’s Best Warrior Competition.

Competitors of the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater)’s Best Warrior Competition react to a simulated attack during a teamwork exer-cise at the competition in Kuwait May 5. The competition was designed to test the strength, knowledge and fortitude of all the competitors through several events, including Army warrior task drills, marksmanship, Army physical fitness test, land-navigation, 12-mile road march, written exam and formal board. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Tanjie Patterson, 3rd Sust. Bde. Public Affairs, USARCENT)

Transportation Soldiers earn distinction as 1st TSC’s Best Warriors

Sustainment Brigade and rep-resent their brigade at the best warrior competition. “We used high-intensity inter-val training, muscular endurance and strength training, and cardio respiratory endurance training in order to prepare for the physi-cal challenges,” said Humphrey, a Harborton, Virginia, native. “Additionally, we studied and conducted different battle drills every day to get proficient.” Though the training and preparation was vital to prepar-ing for the competition, Mead-ows, a Clifton Forge, Virginia, native, credited her mental for-titude and encouragement from her sponsor for helping the most with each event. “I knew that I could push through and make it all the way,” she said. “My sponsor was by my side the

e n t i r e compe-t i t i o n , c o n -s t a n t l y pushing me to do my best and re-minding me that I could do this and that I had t r a i n e d and was ready to compete.” Both Humphrey and Mead-ows will move on to represent the 1st TSC and compete in the U.S. Army Central Best Warrior Competition at the end of the month.