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3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. Official Magazine

JAN-FEB-MARCH-APRIL 2017

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‘82nd Airborne Division Engineers win Best Sapper 2017........................9-10

Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise.........................................................15-19

1Panther Paratroopers volunteer for ‘Partners in Education’......................22

1-505 WWII Veteran receives purple heart.............................................13-14

From the Commander..................................................................................3

What’s Inside

North Carolina Sentaors visit 3BCT Paratroopers.......................................21

2Panther heavy weapons night fire..............................................................20

2017 Army Best Ranger Competition.....................................................11-12

307th Engineers, Subterranean Equpment...................................................8

Paratroopers honor legacy, professional development with 437th AW.......5-6

5-73 CAV, Light Armored Vehicles ...............................................................7

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Greetings from the Panther Brigade,

The Panther Brigade Combat Team (BCT) continues to prove that it is ready to jump, fight, and win tonight while on the Global Re-sponse Force (GRF). As part of the GRF, 3rd Brigade remains ready to deploy anywhere in the world when the nation calls. Maintaining such a high level of readiness is no easy feat, but the professionalism and competency of our Paratroopers makes the task look easy.

The Panther brigade was busy this last quarter maintaining a high level of readiness while beginning an intensive training cycle. Shortly after assuming the Global Response Force mission, the Panthers executed the most in depth Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) in the past 10 years at Fort Bragg. After being alerted on short notice, approximately 6,000 Soldiers from across the Army executed a rapid mobilization and outload in the middle of a snow storm.

At Fort Bragg, the Panthers pushed over 4,600 troops within 96 hours. Enablers from across the Army simultaneously proved their readiness to deploy anywhere in the world. For example, Bra-vo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, deployed over 14 tanks and armored vehicles 300 miles from Fort Stewart to Fort Bragg to conduct an integrated Company Defensive Live Fire with-in three days.

After the EDRE, the Pan-thers refocused on individual, leader, and collective tasks to pre-pare the Brigade for Company Live Fires in April. Their first hurdle was the 82nd Airborne Division Gavin Cup Competition.

This quarterly competition highlighted the company with the highest individual readiness in the Division. Bravo Troop, 5-73 CAV and Alpha Company, 2-505 PIR placed second and third respectful-ly. Bravo Troop also won the Iron Mike Award for having the highest Army Physical Fitness Test Aver-age in the Division.

To prepare for collective training, the Panthers also exe-cuted several Leader Professional Development (LPD) sessions. One area of focus was live fires. Over the past four months, com-pany commanders executed three LPDs, which involved mastering the basics of direct and indirect fire weapon systems.

Learning how to maneu-ver was not the only priority. The Panthers also participated in the Dr. Korem Snap Shot Profiling brief and “It Takes a Team” Family Readiness Group (FRG) training. Dr. Korem provided a three hour class on how to properly pro-file another person with a “snap shot.” This training helped Panther Leaders become more engaged and aware of their Paratroopers. The “It Takes a Team” FRG training

provided company commanders and their spouses the opportuni-ty to learn and share best FRG practices from across the brigade. Both sessions brought the Panther Leaders closer together as team and better prepared them for a de-ployment if the nations calls upon the GRF.

After mastering individual readiness and leader development, the Panthers focused on collec-tive training. For the first time in a decade, every battalion executed a live-fire from the team to platoon level. After completing over 72 platoon live fires, the Panther Bri-gade current training culminated in another EDRE before most of the Brigade took opportunity leave. All this training is in preparation for the upcoming battalion live fire exer-cises and Joint Readiness Training Center rotation at Fort Polk, LA later this year.

As the GRF, the Panthers contin-ue to stand READY as America’s Guard of Honor.

All The Way! H-Minus! Ready!

From Panther 6 & 9 Iron Mike Volunteer AwardeesVolunteers and spouses of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Air-borne Division receive an Iron Mike Pin for 300 hours of volunteer service at Fort, N.C., May 3, 2017.

Allison Beaudoin Chelsea Farley Bronwen Pence

Jessica Powers

Jennifer Steele

Stacy Thompson Carolyn Fitzwater

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The USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier houses exhibits, arti-facts, interactive features and the names of many heroes from the Army, Air Force and Navy. The museum pays tribute to all Medal of Honor recipients. One of those recipients is Sgt. 1st Class Felix Conde-Falcon former-ly assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regi-ment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division during the Vietnam War.

Jumpmasters and lead-ers from 1-505 PIR traveled to Charleston, S.C., for a two-part training event with the objective of honoring their legacy through historical education, and attend-ing a leadership development with airmen assigned to the 437th Air Lift Wing at Joint Base Charleston, Feb. 2-3. Paratroopers spent the afternoon exploring the USS

Yorktown, reviewing displays, taking pictures and interacting with museum staff members.

“It`s important for our leaders to obtain a better per-spective of historical leaders and their real-life actions,” said 2nd Lt. Yohan Silva, a platoon leader assigned to 1-505. “Educating ourselves about where we have been and should strive for in the future.”

The afternoon came to an end as the sun sparkled the water over the Cooper River along the banks of Patriots Point.

The battalion presented a framed plaque recognizing their own, Conde-Falcon, to the mu-seum staff as a gratitude for the organization to have and exhibit in order to honor the battalion`s heritage in years to come. “This visit allowed us to celebrate our history,” said Lt.

Col. Marcus Wright, commander of 1-505 PIR. “With Conde-Fal-con being the only Medal of Honor recipient from the 82nd during the Vietnam War. We want to be able to educate them, celebrate his legacy that he has left to the battalion and give the Paratroopers more pride in the organization.”

The next day, Paratroop-ers arrived at JBC to begin an all-day training session with the Air Force in order to discuss planning considerations for a more effective joint forcible entry airborne operation in the future.

Capt. Jeff Harnley, a weapons officer assigned to the 16th Air Lift Squadron says this is a great opportunity to have a discussion on both sides at the tactical level from the Army sub-ject matter experts. We can then share our feedback and knowl-edge from pilots, loadmasters and

crewmembers.

The classroom lectures between the two branches included air drops, Army and Air Force capabilities, equipment characteristics, and combat power; becoming more proficient and effective. “It`s critical we understand each other and talk a common language to ensure success,” said Wright.

The Paratroopers hit the flight line and load-ed two C-17 aircrafts with airmen assigned to the 437th Air Lift Wing.

Capt. Keely Yankie, a pilot assigned to 437th AW says we informed them of what happens com-monly on our side in preparation for airborne oper-ation. We have a different timelines than they [the Army] do. We talked about the common discrepan-cies that can adjust operation schedules. It may be weather, mechanical or communications. We just want them to understand if there is a delay, there is always a good reason.

The Paratroopers gave Yankie a taste of what its like to be a Paratrooper, she was rigged-up in a parachute harness with combat equipment feeling

the weight of what the Paratroopers sit in before they actually exit the aircraft.

At the end of the day the 1-505 and 437th were able to slow down the pace of their normal interaction and come to an understanding through both sides.

Harnley says one of the top priorities for the Air Force Chief of Staff is developing joint leaders and teams. During a real threat we are going to partner in joint and integrated operations. Activities like today are important in developing leaders on the Air Force side as well as the Army.

Paratroopers honor legacy,

professional development with 437th AW

Jumpmasters and leaders assigned to 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regi-ment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Aiborne Division gath-er for a group photo aboard the USS Yorktown and Medal of Honor Museum at Charleston, S.C. , Feb. 2, 2017. Jumpmasters and leaders assigned to 1st Battalion, 505th

Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Aiborne Division gather for a group photo aboard the USS Yorktown and Medal of Honor Museum at Charleston, S.C. , Feb. 2, 2017.

A Paratrooper assigned to 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute In-fantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Aiborne Division looks at an exhibit aboard the USS Yorktown and Medal of Honor Museum at Charleston, S.C. , Feb. 2, 2017.

By: Staff Sgt. Anthony Hewitt

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307th Engineerstest new

subterraneanequipment

Paratroopers assigned to Alpha Company, 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division test new equipment for subterrenean missions at Muscatatuck Urban Trainng Center, North Vernon, Ind., Feb. 2017. (U.S. Army Photos by Spc. Houston Graham)

5-73 Recon gets heavy with new

Light Armored Vehicle

Paratroopers assigned to 5th Squadron, 73rdCavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team,82nd Airborne Division train, operate and maintain the new Light Armored Vehicle.

5-73 has been training on the vehicle since October 2016 and now fully intergated in to the squadron`s arsenal for the Global Response Force mission.

(U.S. Army photos by Spc. Zackary Nixon)

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82nd Abn. Div .wins Best 2017Forty-eight (two-man) teams of the Army`s toughest engineers com-peted in the 2017 Best Sapper Competition at Fort Leonard Wood, Mis-souri, April 25-27.

Army engineers from Alaska to Italy showed up ready to com-pete in the 11th annual competition and claim the trophy from the dominat-ing 82nd Airborne Divi-sion- winners of the BSC since 2014.

The competition began dark and early on the morning of April 25. Sappers were given a life jacket and told to carry their partner in to the rolling curves and trails of Fort Leonard Wood; there was only one response -- screams of motivation and anguish ready to per-severe and win the title of U.S. Army`s Best Sapper.

Ninety-six engineers

began a three-day jour-ney and faced 50-hour agenda, with a distance covering over 50-miles using their skills, body and heart.

The events tested the Sapper`s occupational knowledge, tactical agil-ity and challenged their physical fortitude.

Engineers moved all over the soaked and rainy Fort Leonard Wood area on foot while partici-pating in a helocast water insertion, sling-loading equipment, obstacle

demolition, a rappel tower, stress shoots, ur-ban operations, and the famous X-mile run that has been described as the Sapper Cross Fit games –

a final event before finally crossing through the red Sapper castle at the finish line.

With each passing day, handfuls of teams were eliminated depend-ing on their health or performance.

In the end, 22 teams crossed the finish line. After the blood, sweat and tears dried up an award ceremony was held to announce the 1st place winners and recog-nized other participant`s achievements.

Winning the com-petition was 1st Lt. Luke Groom and Staff Sgt. Car-los Jimenez, Paratroopers assigned to the 307th Brigade Engineer Battal-ion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div. as the All American Divi-sion places first and again will bring the trophy back to Fort Bragg, N.C.

According to personnel from the 1st Engineer Brigade, the unit supporting and evaluating the competition, the win-ning team took the lead from the start and never looked back, creating a huge gap of dominance from the start.

Groom says they have been formally training since February. Starting with two-a-day workouts, five days a week. We also mixed in a lot of occupational train-ing to refine and hone our skills, based on what we thought was going to be in the competition. We were led by our coaches Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Shay and Sgt. 1st Class Corey Wilkens.

Along with the training, the All Ameri-can Sappers incorporated training events at Fort Bragg`s Pre-Ranger facil-ities. They trained side-

by-side with candidates whom competed in this year’s Best Ranger Com-petition.

“The train-up allowed me to become mentally fit and stable,” said Jimenez. “During the competition your worst enemy can be yourself.”

“We were able to pick each other up and drive on for the win,” said Groom. “However, it was the enormous support we received from Fort Bragg. We had four teams, so we had a lot of support from our coaches and loved-ones cheering us on.”

Seemingly the division has a trending formula for success in this competition and it comes down to leaders.

Jimenez and Groom both stated that it`s been their leader-ship while assigned to

the 307th BEB, who has moved and inspired them to carry on the winning tradition and continue to compete.

“I saw my previ-ous company command-er, Captain Jason Bahmer, compete and win it,” said Groom. “That`s what made me want it”

The 307th BEB winners feel they are better engi-neers because of the train-ing, the competition and the win. They feel they are setting the example, just as it has previously been set for them.

“Hopefully, Para-troopers or Soldiers see this and will motivate them to push themselves to be the best they can be for themselves, their unit and the Army” said Groom.

Other teams from within the winning divi-

sion and the 307th BEB, 3BCT are Sgt. Nathan Wooden and Capt. Mat-thew Olson placing fifth overall; Sgt. 1st Class Bri-an Walker and Sgt. David Wilson placing fourteenth overall.

Spc. Anderson North and Staff Sgt. Tau-veve Filoialii, assigned to 127th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div. competed too.

Story by: Staff Sgt. Anthony Hewitt

Photos by: Spc. Houston Graham

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The 2017 Best Ranger Competition 2017, is the 34th anniversary of this grueling competition, featuring the best soldiers of the world, our United States Army, RANGERS! The Best Ranger Competition was started in 1982 after Dick Leandri found a way to honor his personal friend, Lieutenant General David E. Grange, Jr.

The competition has evolved over the past thirty years from once that was originally created to salute the best two man “buddy” team in the Ranger Department at Fort Benning, Georgia to determine the best two-man team from the entire United States Armed Forces. -- BestRangerCompetition.com

ALL AMERICAN COMPETITIORS:2nd Place: Master Sgt. Chad Stackpole; Staff Sgt. Carlos Mercado

17th Place: Master Sgt. Adam Angrisanio; 1st Lt. Jordan Farrell

Unranked :Staff Sgt. John Buckles; Staff Sgt. Mark Miller

Congratulations to our Paratroopers forhaving the intestinal fortitude to compete and place in the top rankings of this year`s BRC.

Photos by: Spc. Ryan Mercado

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On March 25, 2017, 72 years after being wounded, Oscar Davis Jr. was honored with the presenta-tion of his Purple Heart medal by Lt. Col. Marcus Wright in front of friends, family and Paratroopers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. T

The citation read: “To all who shall see these presents, greeting: This is to certify that The President of the United States of America has awarded the Purple Heart established by Gen. George Washington at Newburgh, New York, August 7, 1782 to Private Os-car L. Davis Jr., United States Army. For wounds received in action 11 February, 1944 in the European theater of operations.”

“For Military Merit.” Those three words inscribed on the reverse side of the Purple Heart medal alone don’t even begin to tell the story of the men and women who earned it. Many of the Service members authorized the award are no longer with us. The Purple Heart is one of the most easily recogniz-able symbols of wartime sacrifice.

The Purple Heart is a United States Military decoration awarded in the name of the Presi-dent of the United States to those wounded or killed during any ac-tion against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces.

Today, Davis, Jr. became the latest recipient of the Purple Heart, one of the most recognizable sym-bols of American wartime sacrifice. Davis Jr. is a Paratrooper for life, having served as an infantryman in Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Today,

the battalion is currently assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

Davis Jr. was born in Cram-erton, N.C. in 1924. Like many of his countrymen, he volunteered to serve his country during the na-tional buildup for entry into World War II, enlisting in the U.S. Army

on March 24, 1943.

After completing his initial recruit training at Fort Leonard-wood, Mo., he volunteered for the 82nd Abn. Div. Jump School, which was conducted in Chil-ton Folait, England. During the fall of 1944, Davis Jr. joined the 505th Parachute Infantry Regi-ment, then under the command of Maj. Gen. James Gavin, in Liverpool, England and awaited onward movement to Holland

shortly after Operation Market Garden.

From Holland, Davis Jr. and his unit traveled to France, deploy-ing to the Ardennes Forest on Dec. 14, 1944. As the unit was conduct-ing patrolling missions, searching for German soldiers, Davis Jr.

among others, was wounded by shrapnel from an airburst artillery round during a patrol.

Today, in front of a crowd of more than 50 people, Lt. Col. Mar-cus Wright, commander of 1st Bn., 505th PIR, described the situation on the day Davis Jr. was wounded. “On this particular day, he was selected to be the RTO [radio tele-phone operator]. That was the first and only day he was the RTO.

During those times, as the enemy was either pushing forward or retreating, American and allied forces were often subjected to mas-sive artillery barrages. His unit, on that day was subjected to that while patrolling. A large piece of shrapnel hit the radio that he never carried and normally would never carry, knocking him to the ground.”

Wright also noted that in addition to being knocked down from the blast, Davis Jr. was also pinned under a large tree which had fallen as a result of the explo-sion. He was temporarily paralyzed as a result of his injuries, and was evacuated to the 108th Hospital in Paris, where he remained for three weeks.

After recovering, he re-turned to his unit and continued operations until the occupation of Berlin. He and his company re-ceived a change of mission order and redeployed to Fort Bragg on a ship sailing back to the U.S. in Dec. 1945.

Davis Jr. was eventually honorably discharged from the Army, and started the next chapter of his life in the textile industry. He earned a degree from the North Carolina State University, having studied textiles. After spending decades working in a variety of positions with Burlington Indus-tries, Limestone Manufacturing and JP Stevens, he eventually retired, settling down with his wife Rachel Davis.

Awards presentation and record keeping processes were inconsistent during the time period Davis Jr. served in the U.S. Army. Many Service members went years, if not decades, without receiving the appropriate recognition for their service to the United States.

It was not until 70 years later in November 2015 that Davis Jr. was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the fourth-highest medal an American Soldier can receive during combat operations. Then, today, 72 years after being wound-ed, Davis Jr. was honored with the presentation of his Purple Heart medal.

“I’d just like to say that this has been some day. I couldn’t believe all this was going to happen,” said Davis Jr. “I’d just like to thank the lord that we’re all together and we continue to work together and keep this country in the right shape from here on out. And God bless us all.”

After receiving congratulations from his Family, friends and Para-

troopers, Davis Jr., demonstrated one of his favorite hobbies, sing-ing. As he boldly sang the lyrics to “God Bless America,” teary-eyed observers joined him in the song as he paid homage to the country he loves so much and almost gave his life for.

In the 82nd Abn. Div., all Para-troopers are considered “Para-troopers for Life.” The Division takes great pride in recognizing the accomplishments of the Paratroop-ers past and present, and ensuring t they and their Families are part of the organization throughout their life.

1PWWII VETERAN RECEIVES PURPLE HEART

Oscar L. Davis Jr., Capt. Andrew Hammack, and Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Hill, commander and 1st Sgt. of Company A, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Di-vision, speak after the presentation of Davis Jr.’s Purple Heart medal in Fayetteville, N.C March 25, 2017.

Story and Photos by: Capt. John Moore

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Combined1-5 5TH PIR

ArmsLIVE-Fire

EXercise

US ARMY PARATROOPERS ASSIGNED TO THE 3RD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM,82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION TOGETHER MOVE AS ONE UNIT DURING A COMBINED ARMS LIVE FIRE EXERCISE. EACH BATTALION OF ABOUT 800 PARATROOPERS TEST THEIR CAPABILITIES AND STRENGTHS AT OBSERVATIION POST 13, AT FORT BRAGG N.C., FROM APRIL 18 TO MAY 9..

THE COMBINED EXERCISE VALIDATES JUST HOW READY AND LETHAL PARATROOPERS CAN BE IF CALLED TO DUTY FOR AMERICA`S GUARD OF HONOR.

CURRENTLY THE PANTHER BRIGADE (3RD BCT) - IS SERVING AS THE GLOBAL RESPONSE FORCE. THIS MISSION REQUIRES THE BRIGADE TO BE READY AND DEPLOY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WITHIN 18-96 HOURS.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE PANTHER BRIGADE SHOWCASING HOW THEY...STAY READY!!

Photos by: 1st Lt. Melissa Edwards

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2-5 5TH PIR 1-5 8TH PIR

Photos by: Spc. Ryan Mercado

Photos by: Spc. John Lytle

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5-73RD CAV REC N

Photos by: Spc. Zackary Nixon

2PANTHER: “OWN THE NIGHT”

Photos by: Spc. Ryan Mercado

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North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis shakes hands after discussing issues surrounding the jobs of Paratroopers assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at the 3BCT Dinning Facil-ity, Fort Bragg, N.C., April 18, 2017 (U.S. Army photo by Spc. John Lytle)

Panthers are ‘Partners in Education’

North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr shakes hands after discussing issues surrounding the jobs of Paratroopers assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at the 3BCT Dining Facility, Fort Bragg, N.C., April 18, 2017 (U.S. Army photo by Spc. John Lytle)

NorthCarolina

Senators visit Panther Brigade

Paratroopers assigned to 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment plays volleyball with students during Albritton Middle School’s “Bulldog Bash” at Fort Bragg, N.C., April 26, 2017.

As part of an XVIII Airborne Corps directive called “Partners In Education, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division is partnered with Albrit-ton Middle School, Devers Elementary School, Irwin Intermediate School and Hampton Primary school, located at Fort Bragg, N.C. The Paratroopers provide volunteer support to the schools throughout the academic year.

Photos by: Staff Sgt. Anthony Hewitt

3RD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION

“H-MINUS!”

Command Sergeant MajorCommand Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Johnson

Brigade CommanderCol. Gregory Beaudoin