Blog-ah

Near miss ruled pilot error

Two Frt Lewis soldiers nearly killed by fire from an F-16 has been ruled pilot error. Click here for the Salt Lake City Trib's report.

Chairman Here

We just received this....

The 62nd Airlift Wing at McChord is proud to welcome Admiral Mike Mullen, the
17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who will be visiting the base June
19 to speak with Airmen and tour Team McChord.

Soldiers test new off-road vehicles

By Army Sgt. Jessica L. Sheldon
Special to American Forces Press Service

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan, June 9, 2008 – Soldiers from Combined Task Force Currahee recently test-drove a new vehicle that could help alleviate some of the problems they have maneuvering through Afghanistan’s mountains and valleys.

Soldiers from 101st Airborne Division test an enhanced logistic off-road vehicle prototype to see if it meets their standards for operational use in Afghanistan. Three prototype vehicles are being tested. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jessica L. Sheldon, 382nd Public Affairs Detachment
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.
The enhanced logistic off-road vehicle, known as the ELSORV, may be the answer to navigating Afghanistan’s rugged terrain.

Three prototypes are being tested. Afghanistan’s rocky terrain makes the going slow and difficult for supply convoys, evacuation and basic ground transportation.

“This vehicle was brought on as an operation need,” said Charlie Copsey, one of the engineers who built the ELSORV. “Rapid Equipment Force funded the building of the prototypes.”

All three prototypes are in Afghanistan so soldiers can learn how they handle in the terrain. Over the past year, the ELSORVs went through operational assessments in the United States, and now they are here for a real-world assessment by the soldiers who could end up using the vehicles.

“The ELSORV is unlike any other military vehicle I’ve driven,” said Army Sgt. Lance Davis, one of the test drivers. “It goes wherever you want it to go.”

Copsey said ELSORVs can carry 2,700 pounds, and they have modified Humvee engines that can conquer approach angles of 90 degrees and climb slopes at 80 degrees.

“As long as they have power going to one of the wheels, they’re going to stay mobile,” Copsey said.

The ELSORVs allow soldiers to go over obstacles without getting hung up on the undercarriage. The vehicle can go 90 mph safely on a hard surface.

“The best place for these vehicles is here in Afghanistan,” Davis said.
oldiers from 101st Airborne Division test an enhanced logistic off-road vehicle prototype to see if it meets their standards for operational use in Afghanistan. Three prototype vehicles are being tested. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jessica L. Sheldon, 382nd Public Affairs Detachment

Did the SURGE work?

As the last of the surge units return home (Fort Lewis's 4th Brigade), the Christian Science Monitor looks at the improved situation on the ground. Click here.

Watada

News organizations are marking the 2nd anniversary 1Lt. Ehren Watada's refusal to deploy with the 3rd Brigade to Iraq. Click here for one example.

William Troy's Memorial Day Editorial

We found this today....click here.

Fort Lewis Officers Win Scholarship

BY Humans Resources Command Public Affairs Office

WASHINGTON (Army News Service) -- Eight Army officers including two from Fort Lewis have been selected for 2009 Olmsted Scholarship to study overseas.

Since 1960, the Olmsted Foundation has sponsored the scholars program to provide broadening opportunities for military officers to live and study at a foreign university.

Assignments for the selected officers next year will include Asia, the Near East, Europe, Africa, and South America.

The officers selected are:

Capt. Christina B. Bembenek, Company A, 319th Military Intelligence Battalion, Ft. Bragg, NC.

Capt. Wilbur W. Hsu, Alpha Battery, 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, HI.

Capt. Joshua D. Kaser, 191st Infantry Brigade, (Training Support Bde), Division West, 1st Army, Ft. Lewis, WA.

Capt. Mark D. Lehenbauer, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Ft. Campbell, KY.

Capt. Eric A. Parthemore, Headquarters & Support Company, 864th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) FOB Sharana, Afghanistan.

Capt. Angela E. Reber, 201st Military Intelligence Battalion, 470th Military Intelligence Brigade, INSCOM, Baghdad, Iraq.

Capt. Joshua A. Taylor, Bravo Troop, 1-73rd Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, NC.

Capt. Daniel R. Young, Headquarters Company, Operations Group, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany.

"It is an exceptional, diverse group of young Army officers," said retired Rear Adm. Larry Marsh, president and CEO of the Olmsted Foundation. "There are more Army selectees this year than ever before, and we are very pleased with the selection."

Major David P. Elsen, Army Olmsted Scholar class of 2006, praised the program as an unbelievable experience.

"I'm going to school full-time, learning another language in another culture, not only getting paid for it, but getting paid to travel on top of it! (My family and I) feel truly blessed, and our memories and experiences from our time in China will last for a lifetime," Elsen said.

The U. S. Army Human Resources Command convenes an Olmsted Scholarship Selection Board annually to select finalists for submission to the Olmsted Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors. The board selects the scholarship recipients and announces their area of study in the spring. The tour of study is an accompanied tour.

Officers interested in an Olmsted Scholarship for 2010 must apply to their career assignment officer at Human Resources Command not later than July 18.

The next HRC board will convene on Sept. 10 and the Olmsted Foundation Board will make the final selection of scholars in March 2009.

Specifics for applying for an Olmsted Scholarship can be found at https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/protect/Active/opfamacs/FELLOWS07.htm.

This just in.....

To Our Soldiers and Families

Today, President Bush announced his decision to return to
twelve-month deployments in the CENTCOM theater for active Army units.

The President'sdecision reflects the improved security situation in
Iraq - one made possible by your unwavering commitment and willingness

to sacrifice - as well as the recognition of the impact of extended
deployments on Army Families and our readiness. Today's policy change

will help reduce that strain as we continue to grow the Army and
restore balance.

The Army will reduce "Boots On the Ground" time to no more than
twelve months for all active component Soldiers deploying to the
CENTCOM area of operations after 1 August 2008. Soldiers deploying
prior to 1 August will complete their scheduled deployments.

The return to twelve-month deployments does not change the
Army'sdwell time policy. This policy is intended to give units time
to properly reset and allow Soldiers, Families, and friends to
reconnect.

You have chosen a most noble profession. With your Families
standingwith you in support, you have borne the increased stress and
burden of this war for our Army and our Nation. A grateful Army and
Nation thank you.

Sincerely,

Kenneth O. Preston George W. Casey, Jr.
Pete Geren
Sergeant Major of the Army General, United States Army
Secretaryof the Army
Chief of Staff

Quilts of Love

Here's a nice story from the Seattle Times on the quilts made for hospitalized soldiers.

Williams Reports From Iraq

UPDATE FROM IRAQ

CSM Tommie Williams called this morning from Iraq to talk with me about the progress being made to stand up the Iraqi Army and police forces.

Williams is serving in the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq.

From the sound of it, progress is being made.

“We’re building the security forces across the country,” said I Corps and Ft. Lewis’ former Command Sergeant Major. “The teamwork is there; the good work is there; we are making significant progress on all fronts,” he added.

Williams also pointed out that American combat forces have been vital in setting the conditions that have allowed the Iraqi police and army to take on their own security operations.

“The surge worked well; it has set the conditions for that have allowed for success,” continued Williams. “But I also want to point out that the Iraqi Army also sent in double the amount of brigades we did in order to stabilize the country,” he added.

The command sergeant major singled out Fort Lewis’ 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division for its work in the Diyala Province and the 62nd Medical Brigade for its countrywide medical mission.

“Soldiers from Fort Lewis have done a phenomenal job in carrying out the mission objectives,” added Williams. “And Fort Lewis soldiers and their family members have every reason to be proud,” he added.

J.M. Simpson