A2 - Fort Bliss Bugle

‘Phantom Medics’ set up field hospital
12A • November 5, 2015 • FORT BLISS BUGLE
By Spc. Alejandro J. Navarrete
31st Combat Support Hospital
Soldiers assigned to 1st Medical Brigade
“Phantom Medics,” 31st Combat Support
Hospital, conducted their field training exercise here Oct. 17 through 22. This was the
first FTX under the new command team lead
by Col. George M. Kyle and Command Sgt.
Maj. Robert A. Nelson. The unit conducted
the FTX after months of planning to blueprint the field hospital. The set-up included
two intensive care units, an intensive care
ward, radiology, pharmacy, lab, an operating
room, an emergency room and optometry,
among other essential services. The hospital
also had a chapel and a vehicle maintenance
tent, as well as a tactical operations center.
Training was accomplished with the cooperation of all areas of operation and its Soldiers. Managing a hospital in a field environment required the Soldiers work together to
accomplish the missions of saving life, limb
and eyesight. The FTX allowed Soldiers to
cross train in different sections and learn
hands-on new skills that carry over to their
respective MOS. With the arrival of Soldiers
to 31st CSH, the FTX provided an excellent
training opportunity to conduct section specific training. Some of the training included
trauma assessment for the ICU/ICW department, fire safety in the OR section and portable X-ray training in radiology. The 31st
CSH Soldiers also conducted suicide prevention and SHARP (Sexual Harassment/
Assault Response and Prevention) training.
Maj. Gen. Stephen M. Twitty, 1st AD and
Fort Bliss commanding general, toured the
hospital with Kyle, Nelson and the 31st CSH
command team. Twitty spoke to the Phantom Medics about the Army, themselves and
their training. Twitty walked through the
varies departments of the hospital, taking his
time to speak to every Soldier, and even got
to witness some training first-hand before
departing.
Photos by Spc. Alejandro J. Navarrete / 507th Medical Det. (Optometry), 31st CSH
Maj. Gen. Stephen M. Twitty, back left, 1st
AD and Fort Bliss commanding general, Col.
George Kyle, back center, commander, 31st
Combat Support Hospital, and Command Sgt.
Maj. Robert Nelson, back right, command sergeant major, 31st CSH, watch as Soldiers assigned to 31st CSH conduct training.
(Right) Soldiers assigned to the 31st Combat
Support Hospital complete their SHARP (Sexual
Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention)
training during their field training exercise.
FORT BLISS BUGLE • November 5, 2015 • 13A
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14A • November 5, 2015 • FORT BLISS BUGLE
Photos by Spc. Von Marie Donato / 3rd BCT, 1st AD Public Affairs
NTC leadership and other supporting unit leaders listen to a brief during 3rd BCT’s Initial Planning Conference at their headquarters Oct. 15.
Capt. Aaron Tucker, a rotational scenario team
chief from the National Training Center at Fort
Irwin, Calif., discusses training objectives and
logistical requirements during 3rd BCT’s Initial
Planning Conference at their headquarters Oct.
15.
3rd BCT prepares for National Training Center rotation
By Spc. Von Marie Donato
3rd BCT, 1st AD Public Affairs
Mission readiness is among the top priorities for any military unit to be trained up as a
globally responsive and regionally engaged
task force.
The National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, serves as a host training
ground for mission readiness and is one of
the largest training areas in the United States
military. NTC features several notional villages used to train troops in urban warfare.
They are filled with Arabic-speaking actors
playing villagers, street vendors and insurgents.
Soldiers assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat
Team, 1st Armored Division, hosted their
Initial Planning Conference with leadership
from NTC Oct. 15 and 16 at their brigade
headquarters to discuss training objectives
and logistical requirements for their approaching rotation to NTC in spring of 2016.
The conference will serve as the foundation
for scenario design and resourcing that will
meet the brigades training objectives.
The purpose of this conference is to allow
3rd BCT’s staff the ability to meet with NTC
leadership and other supporting unit leaders
who are participating.
“This is the first face-to-face contact in the
planning phase that operations group is having with 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team
from 1st Armored Division,” said Capt.
Aaron Tucker, a rotational scenario team
chief at NTC. “It’s very important that this
meeting is held because everyone will leave
with a greater understanding of the mission
requirements.”
“The IPC benefits us because it allows brigade staff to put names to faces with our enablers who will be helping us out during our
NTC rotation,” said Capt. Jeramie G. Jackson, a brigade NTC planner with 3rd Brigade
Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. “We
were able to build the foundation to a strong
and stable working relationship.”
The IPC also provides the ability to confirm requirements to build tough and realistic training scenarios that will strengthen
and prepare the brigade for its upcoming
mission.
“We will be able to reverse engineer a scenario that’s challenging and meets all the requirements for their Mission Essential Task
List,” Tucker said. “It allows us to provide
coaching and mentoring to ensure that the
brigade is set up for success as they prepare
to engage in a full combined-arms maneuver in one of the largest training areas in our
Army.”
“The NTC enablers were able to nest their
training with us so we have a collective understanding of where everyone is going to be
prior to NTC,” Jackson said. “It also gave us
the ability to discuss the brigade commanders’ intent and make sure we are all trained
at the same level to ultimately execute our
brigade mission.”
FORT BLISS BUGLE • November 5, 2015 • 15A
>> THAT WAS DUMP
Courtesy photo
Recycle Center folks ask that scenes
such as this stop. Weekends are when
this improper dumping is occurring at
the Recycle Center drop-off site at 1336
Marshall, West Fort Bliss. To dispose
of non-reusable household items, broken furniture, plastic swimming pools,
children’s car seats and similar items,
post housing residents can call BBC offices at 564-0459 for more information
or the items can dropped at the BBC
maintenance facility at 6601 Lutes. For
bulk pickup or items that cannot fit in
containers, call 490-5860 to arrange for
a pickup. Reusable household items,
clothing and the like. can be donated to
a charity or taken to the Junior Enlisted
Family Center at 1717 Marshall inside
the Trading Post. Many charities provide free pickup. Four personally owned
vehicle tires (per day) can be taken to
the Firestone on Cassidy next to the Exchange Shoppette. Fort Bliss Recycling
at 1336 Marshall accepts only paper,
plastics, aluminum and tin inside the
blue bins. Cardboard must be flattened
and placed in the green roll-offs. The
green hoppers are for personal electronics, personal scrap metal and toner
cartridges. Reusable wood pallets can
be left at the Defense Logistics Agency
at Bldg. 2956. Personal household hazardous waste such as leftover household cleaning supplies, paint, personal
vehicle oil, etc. should be taken to 2515
Jeb Stuart, close to Haan.
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16A • November 5, 2015 • FORT BLISS BUGLE
PX essay contest highlights
Vietnam battle buddies
By Julie Mitchell
Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs
DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service, along with Nautilus, is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War with an essay contest to honor the
heroes who served and the “battle buddies”
who saw them through.
With the Exchange’s My Vietnam Battle
Buddy essay contest, Exchange shoppers are
invited to share stories of their Vietnam War
battle buddies and how their lives were affected by their time of service together. The
first-place winner will take home a Schwinn
470 Elliptical valued at $799. Second place
wins a Schwinn 270 Recumbent worth $469,
while two third-place winners will each receive a Schwinn 170 Upright valued at $379.
Authorized Exchange shoppers can send
their essays to [email protected] until Nov. 20.
Entries must include full name, mailing
address, email address and telephone number. Essays should be 200 words or less.
“Many Exchange shoppers who served
in Vietnam will be able to relate to having a
battle buddy,” said Richard Pils, who served
as an Army captain in Vietnam and works
in the Exchange’s Merchandising Directorate at its Dallas headquarters. “Hearing their
stories of service helps us all remember the
selfless sacrifice of these heroes.”
The My Vietnam Battle Buddy essay contest is part of the Exchange’s participation
in the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner Program, designed for
federal, state and local agencies to thank and
honor Vietnam veterans and their families.
For more information, go to www.shopmyexchange.com/patriot-family.
Earn extra 5% with MILARTY
STAR card Friday-Sunday
By Julie Mitchell
Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs
DALLAS – In honor of Veterans Day,
Army & Air Force Exchange Service shoppers can save an extra 5 percent when using
their MILITARY STAR card from Friday
through Sunday at AAFES locations and online at shopmyexchange.com.
“This extra discount is the Exchange’s
way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who
made the sacrifice to serve,” said Chief Master Sgt. Sean Applegate, Exchange senior
enlisted adviser. “With the holiday season
rapidly approaching, this is also the perfect
opportunity for military shoppers to get a serious jump-start on holiday shopping.”
Besides the extra savings, MILITARY
STAR cardholders earn 2 points for every $1
spent. For every 2,000 points earned, shoppers automatically receive a $20 MILITARY
STAR rewards card. (Items purchased on the
0 percent interest military clothing line of
credit are not eligible for reward points.)
The extra 5 percent offer is valid only at
Army and Air Force Exchange stores and
online at shopmyexhchange.com. Online
shoppers must enter the case-sensitive code
“star6c50e7” to receive the discount.
The MILITARY STAR card 5 percent
discount is not applicable to fuel, tobacco,
uniforms/accessories, Exchange protection
plans and food court or gift card purchases.
The MILITARY STAR card everyday discounts of 10 percent off fast food and 5 cents
off per gallon of gas will be applicable but
can’t be combined with the 5 percent discount offer.
Bliss PX extends holiday
refund policy
By Vanessa Mike
Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs
To give military shoppers peace of mind
this holiday season, the Army & Air Force
Exchange Service is extending its return
policy for items that were purchased from
Sunday through Dec. 24.
The Exchange’s standard policy allows
returns anywhere from up to 15 to 90 days
of purchase with a sales receipt. The holiday
return/exchange policy extends these terms
through Jan. 31, 2016.
“For Soldiers who are getting a jump on
holiday shopping, the Exchange’s extended
return policy ensures a gift can be returned
if it misses the mark,” said General Manager
Raymond Emils. “The Fort Bliss Exchange
wants to make returns as simple as possible
for military shoppers.”
Shoppers can also return items purchased
through shopmyexchange.com at the Fort
Bliss Exchange. For more information about
the extended refund policy, shoppers can
visit customer service inside the store.
PX puts some jingle back in
shoppers’ pockets
By Vanessa Mike
Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs
AAFES is making holiday wishes come
true for military shoppers by picking up the
tab on their MILITARY STAR® card up to
$8,200 with the “Your Holiday Bill Is On
Us” sweepstakes.
Through Dec. 31, shoppers will be entered
in the worldwide sweepstakes each time they
use their MILITARY STAR card to pay for
purchases at the Exchange or for purchases
at shopmyexchange.com. Each transaction
counts as one entry.
Three grand-prize winners will receive
their MILITARY STAR card bill paid up to
$8,200 with a minimum prize of $2,500.
Ten second-prize winners will be awarded
a $1,000 credit on their MILITARY STAR
card statement, while 25 third-place winners
will earn a $500 credit. Winners with a balance less than their prize amount will receive
a credit on their account.
“With this sweepstakes, the Exchange
is making dreams come true and changing
lives,” said General Manager Raymond Emils. “Just one swipe of a MILITARY STAR
card is all it takes to enter.”
In 2015, the sweepstakes changed the
life of one grand-prize winner. Sgt. Kakala
Loketi had her MILITARY STAR account
paid in full during a presentation at Freedom
Crossing where she took scissors to an oversize credit card statement, symbolizing her
$8,200 bill being wiped clean.
“This is a huge relief for me and my family,” Loketi said, noting she primarily used
her card for emergencies and to help young
Soldiers pay for necessities such as gasoline.
“A weight has been lifted off me,” Loketi
said.
This holiday season, all shoppers who
pay with their MILITARY STAR card will
get something back thanks to a new rewards
program. All MILITARY STAR cardholders earn 2 points for every $1 spent in Army,
Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast
Guard exchange stores, and wherever else
the MILITARY STAR card is accepted. For
every 2,000 points earned, shoppers automatically receive a $20 MILITARY STAR
rewards card.
Sweepstake winners will be announced on
or about Jan. 30, 2016.
FORT BLISS BUGLE • November 5, 2015 • 17A
>> GALVANIZING GUNNERY
Photos by 2nd Lt. Cameron Armstrong / 3rd BCT, 1st AD
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(Below) Sgt. Edward Gutierrez, Company D, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division,
installs a .50 caliber machine gun onto the Crew Remote Operated Weapons system during gunnery certifications at Range 88
on McGregor Range, N.M., Oct. 19.
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18A • November 5, 2015 • FORT BLISS BUGLE
SPOTLIGHT
Spc. Lauren Harrah / 24th Press Camp Headquarters
Soldiers assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st
Armored Division, join with counterparts of the British 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade and the 2nd
Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, 4th Canadian
Division, outside the Canadian Forces Warfare Centre at Shirley’s Bay, Ontario, Canada, Oct. 14, during
JOINTEX 2015. Joint forces worked together through
NATO partnership to repel simulated aggression toward and invasion of a NATO-allied country.
Chap. (Capt.) Grace Kim / 5th Bn., 52nd ADA
Cpl. Joseph Cortese, left, nodal network systems operator, left
and Sgt. Andrew Crandall, right, Patriot fire control operator,
stand with donated bedding from their battalion chaplain, Chap.
(Capt.) Grace Kim. All three service members are assigned to 5th
Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery, and have returned from a
12-month deployment to Southwest Asia.
(Left) The B-2 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
battery commander, first sergeant and two THAAD
air defenders stand proud after a successful completion of a media engagement during their certification field exercise at McGregor Range, N.M., Oct.
19. From left, Sgt. Luis Aviles-Diaz, Capt. Abigail
Carter, Spc. Zakkery Ceballos and 1st Sgt. Charles
Toms pose for the photo.
Capt. Guster Cunningham III / 11th ADA Bde. Public Affairs
Capt. Jeku Arce / 30th Medical Bde.
Sgt. Cesar Sanchez, a bio-medical equipment sergeant assigned
to 8th Medical Logistics Company, 30th Medical Brigade, Baumholder, Germany, and a native of El Paso, was named Warrior of
the Week for 21st Theater Sustainment Command Sept. 29.
Maj. Peter Geurts / 11th ADA Bde.
Congratulations to Sgt. Aaron Arellano, right, PATRIOT fire control enhanced operator/maintainer, assigned to 11th ADA Bde., S-3 shop,
for raising his right hand to serve our country for another four years. Holding the flag is Master Sgt. Derek Yazzie, left, and Staff Sgt.
Michael Carr. The re-enlisting officer was Capt. Ken Hunkus, next to Arellano.
Courtesy photo
Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery,
69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, pose for a photograph Sept.
24 at the Noncommissioned Officer Heritage and Education Museum here. The Fort Hood, Texas-based Soldiers volunteered at
the museum during their down time while augmenting an exercise here.
Congratulations to the 11th Air Defense Artillery Trap and Skeet shoot
team for winning the 2015 1st AD
and Fort Bliss Commander’s Cup
Trap and Skeet competition here
Oct. 23. From left, Maj. Jason Crist,
Capt. Kenneth Hunkus, Spcs. Austin Essig and Michael Welland, Cpl.
Josh Kent, Staff Sgt. Diroy Hernandez and 1st Lt. Greg Youngblood.
Capt. Guster Cunningham III / 11th ADA Bde. Public Affairs
Spc. Von Marie Donato / 3rd BCT, 1st AD Public Affairs
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Terry J. Wages, left, automotive maintenance technician, assigned to 123rd Brigade Support Battalion,
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, receives a brigade coin Oct. 22 from Maj. Gen. Stephen M. Twitty, right, 1st AD
and Fort Bliss commanding general, for excellent performance
in his military occupational specialty.
Amabilia Payen / WBAMC Public Affairs
William Beaumont Army Medical
Center Main Pharmacy on the third
floor of the hospital held a cake cutting ceremony, Oct. 23, in celebration of the end of Pharmacy Week.
Standing from left to right, Capt.
Jason Rice, Liza Collazo, Spc. Elijah
Barrett, Lt. Col Stacey Causey and
Col. Larry Crozier, deputy commander for Patient Services and Nursing,
who partook in the cake cutting and
thanked the pharmaceutical staff
their hard work.
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FORT BLISS BUGLE • November 5, 2015 • 19A
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20A • November 5, 2015 • FORT BLISS BUGLE