December wph issue

From the Commander

02 December 2013 Issue 10

Wolfpack Howler

Inside this

issue:

1ST PLATOON

2ND PLATOON

3RD PLATOON

OPERATIONS

MAINTENANCE

Greetings and Happy Holidays! The Wolfpack is at full throttle, once again! Although the weather

is still sunny and warm, you can definitely tell that we are in the holiday season. It is hard to complain when

you live in paradise, but being stationed in Hawaii has its challenges. Our families are very far away. Stationed

on the mainland, we would just be a

short drive or flight from our mom’s

home cooking. Instead, we are

3,000 miles and an ocean apart. But

that does not mean we are without

our family. As we prepared for

Thanksgiving break, 1SG and I asked

each soldier if they had somewhere

to eat. Every single soldier had a

place to go or an offer to join some-

one’s Thanksgiving meal. Those who

didn’t, joined 1SG and me in the

DFAC. It was really impressive to

see the Wolfpack family come to-

gether over the holiday. We may be

far from our moms and dads, but

our Army brothers and sisters are

right here!

The majority of this month was spent setting the conditions for our training in December. After

our Guam deployment, we had to rebuild major systems that keep our company running. Our maintenance

program is one of those systems. We have the best Maintenance Section in the battalion. They run a tight

ship and are some of the hardest working soldiers in the company. During the first two weeks of this month,

they retrained the entire company in our vehicle operations. This is huge because, starting in December we

will be putting that equipment to use. Maintenance teams typically stay in the background, but after how great

our soldiers did this month, they deserve to be front and center. Great job and keep up the good work!

In honor of Native American History month, we talked about Indian warriors and what we can learn

from their spirit. Native Americans are proud and strong; their collective story is one of perseverance and

respect. Their leaders, like Tecumsah (Shooting Star), left us wise words to live by. He said:

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart… respect others in their view, and demand that they

respect yours.… Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people…Always give a word or a

sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place…When you arise in the morn-

ing give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.

Military life comes with many challenges. Choosing to be a soldier—or to support a soldier—achieves what

Tecumseh was talking about. Over the course of our careers, as we serve honorably and take care of each other, that service becomes a story that we will be proud to tell. Conduct yourself with honor, respect oth-

ers and take care of your battle buddies, and I know you will fondly remember the time you served in Hawaii

with the Wolfpack. Please think about that over the holidays. If you are here with loved ones, think of some-

one who may be “in a lonely place” and have them over for dinner.

Honor the Service

Wolfpack 6

Page 2 Wolfpack Howler

1ST PLATOON Roughnecks

The Roughnecks have been executing various administrative task during the month of November. The main focus of the month has been the execution of platoon drivers training on the BHL, ATLAS, and 5 Ton Dump Trucks. Since we will be conducting a field excise in a few weeks, this was a crucial push to get accomplished. SGT Germain, the platoon Master Driver assisted greatly in training the soldiers of the one and only Roughnecks. The ranges were a great training event for our platoon as we were able to show our skills off to the company dur-ing the M-16 range. Before we go on Christmas leave, the Roughnecks have been marking their tool kits and various equipment around the motor pool to show pride and ownership. It’s exciting to prep the equipment as we trained hard for this FTX, it will test us mentally and physically. The process has been on-going for two weeks and will be completed by the 12th of December. It was a very fast paced month, but the Roughnecks made it look easy. Next month is the deal breaker, and the Roughnecks are ready lead the way!

Anniversaries

SGT Sean and Harmoni Ramones 10DEC13

SSG Justin and Adrianne Vegafria 28DEC13

PFC Richard and Audrey Andreas 31DEC13

Roughnecks Rucking for PT in the

morning.

Page 3 Issue 10

2ND PLATOON “Hell Hounds”

Anniversaries

SGT Ball and Dina Marie (29DEC) - 3 years!!!

Birthdays

SGT Rivera (13DEC)

PFC Iraheta (29DEC)

Promotions

PVT Ramsey (to PFC)

The month of November was a fast paced month for the Hell

Hounds: we supported battalion functions, conducted drivers training, pre-

pared to deploy to the Philippines, finished training our warrior tasks and

battle drills, participated in company M16, M203, and CS Chamber Ranges,

and conducted platoon rollouts. On the 2nd of November SSG Worley

led 1st Squad in running the Company’s carpentry station of the Battalion's

“Koa Ohana Day”. From the 4th to the 7th of November, the Platoon

then focused its efforts on drivers training. In order to support the drivers

training program, SFC Young scheduled Shallow Water Egress Training at

Richardson Pool on the 7th of November.

On the 11th of November, Veterans Day, the Hell Hounds re-

ceived the news that they were going to act as the vertical platoon that

would assist in the Battalion’s response to Typhoon Haiyan that left thou-

sands homeless in the Philippines. For the following two weeks, our Pla-

toon focus was getting prepared for the short notice deployment. After

reacting quickly, and packing up everything, the Hell Hounds started shifting

their attention back to regular training to include finishing up drivers train-

ing and knocking out the warrior tasks and battle drills. Part of this training

was to conduct vehicle roll over drills led by the team leaders at the

HMMWV Egress Assistance Trainer on the 20th of November.

To finish up the month of November, the Hell Hounds supported

the company in executing the CBRNE Range on the 25th of November that

ran over one hundred Soldiers through three stations of concurrent train-

ing and the CS Chamber itself. Then on the 26th and 27th of November

each of the Squad Leaders ran their Squads through rollouts of nearly all of

the Platoon’s equipment. These roll outs focused on maintenance and

supply accountability, but also gave the Squads a chance to refuel the vehi-

cles and retrain on vehicles people are unfamiliar with.

The coming month of December is going to come and go before

anyone knows it, especially with the holiday spirits in the air. During the

first week of December, the Hell Hounds are going to resource and run

the company M2 and M249 ranges. Then the Platoon will start training on

its Tactical Convoy collective tasks and its Platoon Defense collective tasks

with the Battalion validation of the Platoon Convoys on the 9th of Decem-

ber and with the three day Defense exercise from the 11th to the 13th of

December. Once all of this is complete, the Company will then conduct its

land navigation training near Bellows followed by a three day recovery and

refit operation to prepare for block leave. We will also conduct our annual

water survival training at Richardson Pool the week before block leave on

the 19th of December. With all of this training going on, the holidays will

be with us before we know it.

Hell Hounds help spouse from across the Bat-

talion in construction techniques during Koa

Ohana Day, 2NOV13

SSG Nation instructs SPC Stevens and SPC

Zabkowski on how to pass the guard


November has been a fast and furious month for the Dream

Team. Our Soldiers have literally been all over the island to supporting

taskings and projects while we continue to increase our training readiness.

We’ve completed our final rotation out at Makua Valley in far West Oahu

performing full-time security operations for the entire month. Our M16

range on 15NOV13 qualified the entire company with CBRN and night fire

as well. The Dream Team happens to have a great bunch of shooters to

include SGT Jusi, PFC Asberry, and PFC Bass who all shot a perfect score

on their qualification. Another Soldiers, PFC Dean was selected as Soldier

of the Month! Even amongst the craziness, we’ve integrated two brand new

Soldiers PVT Jenkins and Roberts in addition to a new Squad Leader,

SSG Falcon coming to us from Fort Carson, CO. We’re pumped to have

their talents add to our strength. Just like everything else, our training in-

tensity is ramping up. We’ve already conducted squad tactical scenarios in

the Engagement Skills Trainer which simulated engaging enemy targets with

different weapon systems. In the convoy trainer simulator, Soldiers had the

opportunity to engage in We’ve also SSG Gonzalez started us off on the

right path by sharing his expertise in dismounted infantry tactics. SSG Terrazas

has been giving great classes on vehicle convoys and battle drills. The rich

wealth of experience from our Senior NCOs is truly the rock on which our

platoon’s training stands. Coming up in December we have more advanced field

tactical training exercises to prepare us for our Battalion Field Training Exer-

cise in January. We’ll also be sending our 3rd Squad’s Carpenter team consisting

of SGT Hurst, SPC Khuc, PFC Smith, and PV2 Winter to 561st Engineer

Company’s project at Kaneohe Marine Corps Base by installing a culvert. More

than anything, this month has helped us to learn that our Soldiers can and will

adapt and succeed at whatever they do. We are truly blessed to have such a

smart, professional and competent group of young men willing to use their

talents to serve others. Indeed there is much to look forward to with the holi-

day season among us. Thanks again to all families out there and enjoy your time

together.

3RD PLATOON “Dream Team”

SPC Zulkoski in the tactical convoy simulator.

Dream Team Convoy Lineup.


Operations

Aloha to the friends and family of the Wolfpack Headquarters Section! There have been so many accomplish-

ments for the month of November! First and foremost, we would like to congratulate SGT Won for competing and being se-

lected for the NCO of the year. He studied countless hours and mentored SPC Sexton preparing for the board, which he made

to become a SGT. Hard work pays off, SGT Won was selected to meet the Sergeant Major of the Army Chandler, along

with 16 NCOs from 8th TSC, a very prestigious honor. Setting the example is second nature to headquarters as SGT Ayers

volunteered to be a Drivers Training instructor. He trained individuals on the ATLAS so meticulously, they probably could have

driven the ATLAS blindfolded. SGT Truss jumped right into the swing of things for the CBRNE Range, and SGT Schmidt as-

sumed the lead in making the company qualified on various vehicles in the company.

SGT Truss, soon to SSG Truss is the CBRNE representative for 643rd, he is fairly new to the unit and shares his

experiences and assistance without hesitation. His actions in the CBRNE range really set the tone for the company to follow, he

was calm, knowledgeable, and confident in every task he did. We’re really excited he is part of the headquarters family!

SGT Schmidt, the company Master Driver and the acting Master Driver SGT Won, put an amazing effort to rebuild

the company’s licenses for mission readiness. The initia-

tive and dedication they gave allowed the company to be

over 95% ready for any alert.

November was packed with weapons ranges, a

CBRNE range, drivers training, and most importantly, the

Pot Luck that SSG Reyes created. The Pot Luck brought

the very busy headquarters personnel into a family atmos-

phere as we enjoyed food and socializing together. It was

a great way to finish off the month of November! We are

excited to see what the next month will bring.

HQ Soldier of the Month: SGT Won

Hometown: New York City, NY

Hobbies: building computers

Goals: to become a CSM one day

Fun fact: He is a pro gamer!

Page 6 Issue 10

Maintenance

Another fast month, is what November was in a nut shell. Although the month went by in a blink of an eye, proud to

be in this team would be an understatement. The maintenance team ran a M240B range on November 7th, where we practiced

convoy operations to and from the range. SPC Moge and SPC Warthon improved their score and qualified as a first time go.

The next week, we had all maintenance qualify on the M-16, which consisted of five experts, five sharpshooters, and two marks-

mans. Maintenance in conjunction with the company master drivers supported the BN Drivers training, and the company recerti-

fication course. SPC Cheeseboro, SGT Rutledge, and SPC Ramey instructed the company recertification course from the

maintenance section. We also had 100% participation for the military ball, a first for many of the soldiers. It was a great time for

the soldiers and leaders to socialize within a formal atmosphere. There was 100% participation for the CS chamber. While in

line, maintenance was very excited to go through the gas chamber. In the chamber, it felt as if someone took a vacuum and

sucked all the air out of the room and replaced it with chili powder. That’s when reality and fear hit, SGT Rutledge and SFC

Ompad took it very cool as the rest of us went pale and screamed for air. Part of maintenance took the APFT, but had the

whole team there supporting those who took the test, motivation was high and “I will never leave a fallen comrade” from the

Warrior Ethos was truly felt that day. Finally, we had our monthly luncheon at Zippy’s. It is important that we eat lunch together

once a month, it’s shared with memories, laughs, and good eating. Ohana means family, and family never gets left behind, quoted

from the movie “Lilo and Stitch,” is what we are all about. Not only did we have 100% participation for most of the events, we

excelled in most events as well. It was nice to get out and do some Warrior tasks and battle drills. Back at the motorpool, hard

work awaited us as we worked on services, and PMCS equipment.

PFC Kansakar new to the family, jumped right in as we conducted warrior tasks and battle drills. His goals are to get

promoted and to learn. He is dedicated and motivated everyday yet brings a smile to see what he can accomplish next, he fits in

perfectly! After learning from SPC Warthon on services, he serviced his very first generator today! One step at a time, we

move forward and look to the front to see what the next month will bring us. Mohalo until next time!

Left: SGT Thao oversees lane 1 at the

M240B Range. Top: The maintenance family supporting SPC

Moya as she received an AAM.


Schofield Barracks

Visit us on FaceBook!

643rd EN CO—Wolfpack!

FRG

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Army Community Services: (808) 655-4227

Army Substance Abuse Programs: (808) 655-8700

Battalion Chaplain: (808) 655-1297

Military Family Life Consultant: (808) 226-7307

Military One Source: 1-800-342-9647

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Tripler Trolley: (808) 433-1200

Tripler Trolley: (808) 433-1200

FRG Committee Contacts:

FRG Leader: Darcy Mainwaring (205)310-3515, [email protected] or [email protected] Secretary: Gabrielle Johnson

Treasurers: Kristina Spohn and Beatrice Marshall

Activities Coordinator: Vacant Fundraising Chair people: Vacant

Hospitality Chairperson: Kristina Spohn Points of Contact/Key Callers:

Traci Kendall (253)720-2033, [email protected] or [email protected] Kristina Spohn (810)5 516 1550 [email protected]

Soldier Liaison POC: SPC Fernando Gaeta

The Schofield Barracks dream team poses in front of the Wolfpack’s dump trucks

Documents

December wph issue