MARCH 2016 EDITION

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3rd Brigade Change of Responsibility............................................................5-6

Panthers train at Fort Pickett.....................................................................11-12

Remembering our fallen brothers...................................................................13

What’s Inside

1-508th trains a Camp Lejeune, N.C............................................................7-10

Upcoming Events............................................................................................14

Panthers of Note...............................................................................................4

Panther Family,

Since the last edition of The Static Line, we’ve had a busy month of train-ing for combat. We’ve enhanced the airborne proficiency of numerous Para-troopers through exits from a variety of aircraft; trained, tested and recognized additional Expert Infantrymen as well as Expert Medics; and demonstrated our ability to alert, marshal and deploy through off-post training exercises. We are well on our way to a successful assumption of the Global Response Mission next fall. We added a few more Ranger qualified Paratroopers to our ranks after they successfully completed the course at Fort Benning, Georgia. Ranger qualified Troopers and Leaders make us a better unit. We also had an opportunity to recognize Paratroopers’ individual accomplishments. Three things that are particularly import-ant to me as a leader are promotions, awards and re-enlistments. There have been quite a few promotions (both lateral and advancement), and dozens of awards presented for outstanding achievements by our Paratroopers. None of that can occur though, without quality Paratroopers making the com-mitment to serve their nation for a few more years. That can-do attitude is the basis for which all things we do comes. It’s a mindset and ethos!

Expert Field Medical Badge

The Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) is known by many as one of the hardest badges in the Army to earn and serves as recognition that the wearer is an expert in their field. Expert Field Medical Badge training and testing occurred from late Feb-ruary, concluding on March 3. Of the Panthers who initially started testing, two remained on graduation day. The EFMB is important not only because is it excellent combat-focused training for medical personnel (regardless if they pass or fail), but it also challenges Paratroopers and develops their leader-ship skills. Fort Pickett, Virginia Off-Post Train-ing

Paratroopers from 1 Panther and Panther Recon, supported by elements of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade as well as enablers from the BSB and Cobalt, conducted live-fire training exercises and section through pla-toon gunnery in eastern Virginia this

month. Throughout, the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade provided outstanding support. This was an excellent oppor-tunity for our Paratroopers to enhance their confidence with operating at night, marksmanship, small unit live-fire exercises, and team building. All those skills will be tested again during the June Joint Operational Access Ex-ercise and later at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana in the Fall.

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina Off-Post Training

Much like 1 Panther and Panther Recon at Fort Pickett, 1 Fury conduct-ed joint and combined arms training at United States Marine Corps Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The train-ing consisted of unstabilized gunnery tables and platoon live fire exercises. Gunnery is not only an excellent way for Paratroopers to hone their individ-ual weapon system skills, but continues along the training model of increasing echelon training from the individual to the crew and eventually platoon level. Not only that, it provides a friendly and professional competition to determine which crew is the best. At the end of the training event, the units left Camp Lejeune better prepared and on glide path to contribute to larger, collec-tive-level training events.

On-Post Training

Two Panther conducted a variety of individual and small unit collec-tive-level training on Fort Bragg that culminated in squad live fire exercis-es. Paratroopers finished the training more confident in themselves, their equipment, and their leaders. They also recently executed a battalion-level airfield seizure mission on Holland to continue to refine their skills in our most difficult mission. After seizing the airfield terminal, and clearing the Flight Landing Strip, they seized an additional compound and conducted a non-combatant operation. Finally, they road marched in 12 miles afterwards. The 307th Airborne Engineer Brigade conducted critical repairs on Sicily DZ as part of a larger event led by the 20th Engineer Brigade. The engi-neers focused on repairs of the Flight Landing Strip, a task which is critical as part of the Airfield Seizure mission with which we are tasked. As a criti-cal maneuver component, Cobalt also

conducted platoon live-fire exercises focused on mounted and dismounted maneuver and the reduction of obsta-cles. The non 12-series Paratroopers also conducted live fire training, while simultaneously practicing a wide variety of intelligence, sustainment and Chemical, Biological, Nuclear and Radiological-related tasks.

The Brigade Support Battalion focused their energy on sustaining the force. All of the live fire and ma-neuver training as well as real-world effects would be significantly degraded without excellent support. To that end, the Gators honed their skills through care under fire and casualty evacua-tion drills during situational training exercises and field sanitation classes. The latter is extremely important as the temperatures and humidity at Fort Bragg increase—Paratroopers will require a continuous supply of clean, potable water to drink and cook with. The brigade couldn’t function without these important enablers

Brigade Combat Team Change of Responsibility

After serving as the Senior Enlist-ed Advisor within the brigade, we say farewell to Command Sergeant Major Daniel Gustafson and welcome Com-mand Sergeant Major Kenneth John-son. CSM Gustafson’s contributions to the brigade enabled the BCT to main-tain the highest levels of readiness, discipline and training. CSM Johnson returns to the Panther Brigade, com-ing from within Division, fresh from a nine-month deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. We’re looking forward to CSM John-son’s return to the brigade, and imple-mentation of his leadership attributes. Global Response Force assumption.

Continues on Next Page

From the Commander

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I’m confident we have the right senior Non-Commissioned Officer to lead the BCT through the upcoming readiness validation exercises and subsequent Global Response Force assumption.

What We Can Look Forward to Next Month

In April, a company from 1 Pan-ther will conduct airfield seizure and non-combatant evacuation operations with elements of 1st Battalion (Air-borne), 143rd Infantry Regiment, in Texas. This training will enhance the readiness and proficiency of Para-troopers from both units, forge part-nerships that will last a lifetime and provide an opportunity for a two-way exchange of ideas and TTPs. By na-ture, this training also supports the Defense Department’s Army Total Force Policy.

1 Panther will also complete platoon live fire exercises.

Elements from 1 Fury will prepare for company live fire exercises at the National Training Center at Fort Ir-win, California. The events there will place Paratroopers in realistic training scenarios, which will test their mental agility and prepare them for real-world scenarios they may face as part of the Global Response Force. Part of the battalion will also remain as OPFOR at NTC for part of an upcoming rotation – watch out, Paratroopers make the toughest OPFOR! The units remaining at Fort Bragg will continue to conduct a variety of collective training events and live fires. The sustainers will hone their craft providing excellent logistical support across the brigade.

The engineers will maintain the right through exercises which allow them to conduct mobility, count-er-mobility and survivability opera-tions. The maneuver battalions will

continue to progress through live-fire exercises and gunnery events, enhanc-ing their confidence to close with and destroy the enemy.

Command Sergeant Major Johnson and I continue to be inspired and im-pressed by the individual and collec-tive efforts of all of the Paratroopers in the Panther BCT. It is humbling to serve in this organization, surrounded by professionals at every level from new Private to the Field Grade Offi-cers. As I circulate around to training events, it’s great to see Paratroopers giving it their all, having fun, and demonstrating why they are the best in the world. We have some of the most fit, disciplined, and adaptive Paratroopers I’ve had the pleasure of serving alongside.

Col. Curtis Buzzard, commander, 3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div.

All The Way! Airborne! H-Minus!

Col. Curtis Buzzard, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division poses for a photo with Retired Col. James Callahan and Mr. Leslie Hays during a Medal of Honor remembrance ceremony at the Airborne Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, N.C, March 25, 2016. The group came together to honor Staff. Sgt. Felix Conde-Falcon who was awarded the MOH posthumously in 2014, for going above and beyond the call of duty while assigned to Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regi-ment in Ap Tan Hoa, Republic of Vietnam, April 4, 1969. Callahan and Hays both served with Conde-Falcon. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)

Medal of Honor Day

Sgt. Terri Bluebird (second from right) and Spc. Sarah Mongold (far right), Paratroopers assigned to Charlie Company, 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division pose with Fort Bragg’s female heavy division team prior to completing 26.2 miles during the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., March 20, 2016. The team took first place in the active duty female heavy division with a time of seven hours and 20 minutes. (Courtesy Photo)

~Panthers of Note~

Col. Curtis Buzzard, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, recognizes Paratroopers assigned to 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd BCT, for earning their Excellence in Armor skill identifier during an awards ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C., March 24, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)

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CSM Kenneth B. JohnsonPanthers welcome

Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth B. Johnson assume responsibility for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division during a brigade ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C., March 18, 2016. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)

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BY SGT ANTHONY HEWITT3RD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM

A Paratrooper assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division performs security for a landing zone during an air assault mission at Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 7, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by SgT.Anthony Hewitt/Released)

‘Fury from the Sky’ over Camp Lejeune

More than 500 paratroopers assigned to 1st Bat-talion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, hunkered down in the vegetation

and weapon ranges at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune preparing for a 17-day training event, Feb. 27-March 14. During the two-week period companies from the battalion branched out over Lejeune’s 246-square miles of land, training exclusively in key roles for the unit.

Live-fire exercises

Each platoon from Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie

Company conducted day and night live-fire exercises. Moving in platoon formations across a 200-meter wide range, the paratroopers assaulted four objectives to include bunkers and a trench clear-ing. Squad leaders moved their squads fluently over hills and across open spaces. Team leaders called out fire commands to different weapon systems, suppressing the simulated enemy in an effort to gain ground toward the final limit of advance. “The volume of fire sounds great,” said Lt. Col. Justin Reese, commander of 1st Bn. 508th PIR.

“I think we`re making good decisions out there and team leaders are keeping the platoon in the fight.” Engineers assigned to the 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. were attached to each platoon in order to breach wired obstacles and provide any additional security or fire-power. Reese says paratroopers out here are putting forth great hustle and doing the right thing.

Air Assault

Pilots and crew chiefs assigned to Charlie

Troop, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Abn. Div. Provided three UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters for air assault support. The helicopters enabled Bravo Company with air mobility across the skies of Camp Lejeune and to their training sites. “It’s great to provide this support and train-ing,” said Chief Warrant Officer Two Traci Thomas, a UH-60 pilot assigned to Charlie Tr., 2nd Bn., 82nd CAB. “Our whole mission is to support the ground force commander.” Thomas says the battalion reached out to them for their support enabling them to train.

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“We benefit from learning how to plan and execute picking up troops, flying an air mission with them and then conducting a drop off on time, said Thomas. “I think it`s really cool that the battalion called and requested us,” said Thomas. “When we train, we want to train big,” said Reese, when asked about the air assault training.

Heavy weapons

And with big there’s also heavy.Delta Company – the battalion’s heavy weapons unit – took part in crew gunnery qualification, section gunnery, and situational training exercises. Capt. David Quantock Jr., commander of Delta Company, 1st Bn., 508th PIR says these paratroopers are mastering the fundamentals of mounted heavy weapons to support the line companies using ma-chines guns, automatic grenade launchers and re-motely operated weapons stations. Entire tactical vehicles combined with speed, communication and firepower can move as one mas-sive weapon. Each vehicle is equipped with up to two heavy weapons, a driver, truck commander and gunner. As targets pop up in the distance, the truck com-mander relays direction and description to his gun-ner, only taking seconds before the simulated enemy is destroyed. “[We have] 16 qualified gunners in every weapon system,” said Quantock.” I believe heavily in what we`re doing, in order to support the command-er’s intent.”

Fire support

A small open field of green grass was home to the Red Devil Thunder [mortar platoon] for a short

time, but during this time, the paratroopers dug in fighting positions maintaining a “gun line.” The platoon was on call day and night from forward observers, in support of indirect fire mis-sions. “As we`ve worked with the [forward observ-ers] we`ve been utilizing FPF [final protective fire] missions, search and traverse, suppression, and night illumination,” said 1st. Lt. Stephen Murray, a para-trooper assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 508th PIR as the platoon leader. Each paratrooper conducted training with the 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm systems. “Whether it`s a company section or in the mortar platoon. They are all trained in every mortar system and we are able to provide flexibility to the battalion,” said Murray.

Scout snipers

Looking through the scope of a long-range rifle is a paratrooper’s single dominant eye. He slowly inhales and exhales, squeezing the trigger tighter and tighter with each breath. The rifle fires with little recoil and a sharp crack echoes through the air. Smoke poofs from the rifles chamber and long muzzle. The sniper loads another single round. “We’re starting with [a] 100 meter zero, then push back to 300, 500, 800 and [ending with] 1,000 meters,” said 1st Lt. Oliver Salman, a paratrooper assigned to HHC, 1st Bn., 508th PIR as the scout pla-toon leader. The scouts put their long-range marksmanship to the test. They were afforded the opportunity to test their abilities in a joint training exercise with the Ma-rine Special Operation Command students.

“We sent a two-man sniper team attached to MARSOC for a 24-hour period,” said Salman. “They in-filled into a village, set up a hide site and were able to locate and destroy the [simulated] high-value target.” The ‘Fury’ scout platoon is honing their skills as a long-range asset to the battalion commander. “One of the best things that [snipers] can provide for the battalion is target interdiction,” said Salman. “They can provide over-watch for platoons attacking an objec-tive or set the up with a recon team and look for high-val-ue targets over an extended period of time.”

‘Jumping’ home

While two weeks may have passed and the Para-troopers load up to go home to their families, they had one more mission to accomplish en route back to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. “We have [more than 150] parachutes,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Wayne Lawrence, assigned to 1st Bn., 508th PIR as the battalion command sergeant major. “The

best live-fire platoons will jump back into Sicily Drop Zone and the rest of the battalion will air assault. [We will] then culminate it with a small objective on the drop zone.” The battalion has been through a lot of training during the last year with individual and collective train-ing. The unit recently completed a training rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Loui-siana, while attached to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div. Now as ‘Fury’ settles down for a short time they still have plenty more on their schedule. Lawrence says we will be afforded 10 days of leave at the end of the month allowing the Soldiers to spend time with their families. He says they are preparing to jump into the Na-tional Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, where they will conduct our combined arms live-fire exercises. There, Paratroopers will train in the moun-tainous Mojave Desert.

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Panthers train at Fort PickettPhotos by Sgt David Blocker and Staff Sgt Mary Katzenberger

LEFT SIDE: Paratroopers assigned to 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division train at Fort Pickett, Va., in March 2016. Paratroopers completed an air assault mission and honed their individual, team and company live fire skills.

THIS SIDE: Paratroopers assigned to 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division sharpen their mounted gunnery and reconnaissance and surveillance skills while training at Fort Pickett, Va., in March 2016.

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APRI Lsunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday FRIDAY SATURDAY

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10 11 12 13 14 15 16

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SPC Ebe EmoloKIA April 7, 2007

SPC Rodney McCandlessKIA April 7, 2007

CPT Jonathan GrassbaughKIA April 7, 2007

SPC Levi HooverKIA April 7, 2007

SGT Alexander Van AaltenKIA April 20, 2008

CPL Brad DavisKIA April 22, 2009

SGT Brice PearsonKIA April 23, 2007

SGT Michael VaughanKIA April 23, 2007

1LT Kevin GaspersKIA April 23, 2007

SPC Jerry KingKIA April 23, 2007

PFC Garrett KnollKIA April 23, 2007

SSG Kenneth LockerKIA April 23, 2007

SGT Randell MarshallKIA April 23, 2007

SSG William MooreKIA April 23, 2007

SPC Michael RodriguezKIA April 23, 2007

CPL Benjamin NealKIA April 25, 2012

1LT Salvatore CormaKIA April 29, 2010

You are never forgotten

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Pay Day Activities

All AmericanMarathon Chili Cook-

off

Prayer Breakfast

Graduation

3BCT hostsSPJP

DONSADONSA

DONSA

Volunteer Week

Command Sergeant MajorCommand Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Johnson

Public Affairs OfficerCapt. John Moore

Broadcast NCOSgt. David Blocker

Public Affairs NCOSgt. Anthony Hewitt

Brigade CommanderCol. Curtis Buzzard

Public Affairs NCOICStaff Sgt. Mary Katzenberger

3RD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION

“H-MINUS!”