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Page 1: Raptor Report

PUBLISHED BY SPC KERRY LYNCH

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MARCH 2011MARCH 2011MARCH 2011

THE RAPTOR REPORTTHE RAPTOR REPORTTHE RAPTOR REPORT

111---168TH GSAB 168TH GSAB 168TH GSAB

Raptor 6 Report

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Raptor 6 Reports 1

A Message From CSM 2

The Home Front 3

Upcoming Events 3

A Word From The Chaplain 4

Co. Commander/1SG 5-7

Raptor 6’s Wall of Honor 8

Honorary Raptors 9

Promotions 10

Past Events 11

Who You Gonna Call 12

Our Fellow Soldiers 13

1-168th pilots landing at Shorthorn Airfield, TX

R aptor Friends, Families, and Soldiers-

On all fronts, it appears that the battalion is off to a great start in

preparing to execute our downrange mission and to support our

families back home. The Raptor Family Program network is alive and well

and ready to meet the needs of our great families. Over the next few weeks

we will transition from Ft. Hood to Kuwait. During this transition, com-

munication between Soldiers and their families may be challenging. How-

ever, I will ensure full access to phone and e-mail connections for all of our

Soldiers after we establish our operations downrange. During this period,

please feel free to route any urgent communication through our Rear De-

tachment and we will ensure that all messages are received.

I am incredibly proud of each and every one of our Soldiers and the excep-

tional level of competency and performance they have demonstrated in

post-mobilization training. This Battalion has set many new standards for

training readiness and mission validation. This success is directly attrib-

uted to the sacrifices that our soldiers and families made during the train-

up back home.

We will continue providing this newsletter each month to help keep you

connected and share with you the accomplishments and lessons learned

that we experience as we move forward.

If there is anything the Deployed or Rear Detachment Command Teams

can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask. You all remain in our

thoughts and prayers daily.

May God Bless the Raptors as we move downrange and assume the mis-

sion.

RAPTOR 6

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A Message From CSM Spaulding

H ello Fellow Raptors both here and at home at Fort Lewis,

It is hard to start this article because so much has occurred in just a few short

weeks here at Ft. Hood. I cannot express how proud I am to be here at ―the Great

Place‖ with our troops and have the honor to serve as your Battalion Command Sergeant

Major.

The 1-168 GSAB Raptors demobilized our of North

Fort Hood back in 2008 but since then, there have been

improvements to the facilities. Our Soldiers have good

accommodations and a choice of three mess halls to eat

in. We utilize our three 10-passenger vans to move

Soldiers to the main Post for PX runs, as well as, to the

Walmart which is just outside North Fort in Gatesville,

Texas. After three weeks here, I believe everyone has

settled comfortably into their bunk!

Everywhere I go here at Ft. Hood, I see our Soldiers doing their work in a professional

manner and with a fighting spirit, combining enthusiasm and teamwork. I believe we have

some of the finest citizen Soldiers in the Washington Army National Guard. This, coupled the reality that we have a large

group of experienced NCO’s and staff who have previously deployed, create an environment where our junior enlisted Sol-

diers and NCO’s are afforded the opportunity to learn their jobs– mentored by the best Soldiers in the Guard.

We hit the ground running in February and March is now speeding by. Our flight crews have traveled to Florida and New

Mexico for training. Our maintainers have worked long hours to keep our UH60’s ready for any mission. Our Headquarters

staff, Tactical Operations Center and Flight Operations Center staff are preparing for our Culminating Training Event (CTE),

which involve all our Soldier’s deploying. We deployed as individuals and are now successfully building our teams; focused

on accomplishing the mission and most importantly taking care of each other.

We have three hard weeks in store for us before we close this chapter of our deployment. As we come to the end of this post-

mobilization training phase our Soldiers will be afforded the opportunity to take a short, but well deserved pass. We are plan-

ning for safe travel during this pass. I hope all our Soldiers take the time to thank families, friends and employers for their

persistent support now and throughout the year ahead. We know that our families are

making a greater sacrifice than those of us who are moving forward. To all the Mothers

and Fathers, Wives and Husbands, Sons and Daughters– we want all of you to know that

you are the true heroes of this deployment!

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The Home Front

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H ERE AND THERE– A GREAT JOB!

It is a pleasure to write a report on the tremendous success of the Rap-

tor Battalion. As the Rear Detachment Battalion Commander, I enjoy

hearing the praises your Soldiers are receiving for their hard work and prepara-

tion. And to the families, know that your sacrifices are counted in their success.

I witnessed the touching moments as Soldiers said goodbye the their loved ones

HERE in Washington. It was a good reminder of our values and priorities. To

that, families remember the Rear Detachment (R/D), the Family Readiness

Group (FRG) and Army Community Services (ACS) stand ready to help you.

FRG leads, Lori and I are providing opportunities for families to meet and sup-

port on another over ―Coffee‖; you are invited to a Yellow Ribbon seminar to

review ACS on 2 April; and, we are scheduling fun activities in the coming year.

Please, contact Lori Snyder at (253) 370-7872 or [email protected] to

insure you get the information.

I accompanied your Soldiers down to Fort Hood, Texas. THERE your Soldiers

blew away all expectations. I participated in the most efficient in-processing

Fort Hood has probably ever conducted. When LTC Dent initially briefed the

training brigade commander, the Colonel couldn’t believe the unit’s training sta-

tistics.

As I left Fort Hood, the Raptors were refining their training plan to continue to improve and hone their skills. This final

preparation will insure their safety and success during their deployment. Their preparation earned them a four day pass

later this month, at the same time as our weekend training and Yellow Ribbon seminar. I realize you want to be with your

loved ones; but, if you need to finish any unfinished support, let us know.

Blessings,

Jeff C. Allen

(253) 912-3103

[email protected]

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DATE TIME LOCATION EVENT

2 April 0800-1615 American Lake Club During Deployment

Yellow Ribbon Event

19 April 1830-2000 Falcon Chapel Coffee Social

20 April 1000-1130 Falcon Chapel Coffee Social

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A Word From The Chaplain

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H ello from Texas!

One month down, eleven months to go! Hopefully, this statement is not depressing

to you. I am amazed that time has gone by that fast. It seems like it was just yesterday that

we were feeling various waves of emotion while observing the Farewell Ceremony at the

flight facility. Most of you probably agree with me that it was extremely difficult to say

goodbye. However, I want to give you a few

words that I hope will encourage you.

Separation from loved ones can be a very hard

thing to deal with. It can be somewhat like riding a roller coaster. Some of you love

roller coasters. I don’t like roller coasters, especially emotional roller coasters. You

are forced to go up, down, round and round: one day you are happy, the next day you

aren’t. One day you think your relationship with a loved one is just fine, the next day,

doubt creeps in that can endanger trust and commitment. Deployment can truly be an

emotional roller coaster. But, it doesn’t have to be.

One of my favorite passages of Scripture was written by the Apostle Paul.

After experiencing extreme persecution from people who hated him AND while sit-

ting in jail waiting his impending, wrongful, condemnation, Paul writes this:

―Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness

be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanks-

giving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and

your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, what-

ever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.‖ Philippians 4:4-8

Battling against the emotional roller coaster that comes with deployment is truly a battle

in your mind. It is a battle against negative thoughts, assumptions, and fearful ―what ifs.‖ One of

the best ways to experience victory in this battle is to truly believe the words of the Apostle Paul

in Philippians. If you really believe that God is Who He says that He is then you will acknowl-

edge what I say in the next paragraph as true:

Our God is all-powerful, all-knowing and all-loving. He knows what you are experiencing, what

you will experience AND He knows why. He knows how the pieces of your life all fit together

and the purpose of each one of them. And, He wants you to

trust that He is allowing it for your benefit and His glory—

He wants you to trust that He knows what He is doing.

So then, you can truly REJOICE! Instead of being anxious

and worried you can trust that God is working in and through this time of separation. And

when you come to Him with your thankful prayers, He will give you a peace that passes

all understanding. And, He will give you the ability to replace anxiety, and depression

with those things that are excellent and praiseworthy.

I am praying for you. Please know that you can contact me anytime. Before you

know it, we will have eleven months behind us and only one month to go.

May God Bless you and your family!

CH (MAJ) Don Brewer

[email protected]

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CPT Goertzen

1SG Jensen

H eadhunter Family and Friends,

We’re continuing to look to the future, leaning forward like no other Battalion before us.

Trained, disciplined and prepared for upcoming combat operations, we stand ready, should-to-

shoulder as one. Poised and eager to complete our upcoming mission, we’ve

learned greatly from each other’s strengths and weaknesses over the last

year, molding ourselves into a rock solid team. I could not ask for a better

group to take forward. The motivation and dedication of each and every

soldier is evident daily.

I would like to personally thank the families, as you are the foundation for

our success. Your unwavering support and dedication shows daily in the

faces of your Soldiers. Thank you.

F amily & Friends,

So far everything is going well here at Ft. Hood. ―AKA‖ the Great

Place. The training that we completed in the last year has really

paid off. The Soldiers have been able to focus on their MOS (Military

Occupations Skill) training in order to prepare themselves and the Bat-

talion to a high level of readiness.

The Battalion is located on North Fort Hood which is about a thirty min-

ute drive to the main Post, South Ft. Hood. Within walking distance, we have three mess halls, bar-

bershop, shopette, laundry facilities, and at the USO and MWR we have internet café, movies, video

games, books, pool, and a snack bar. Our Soldiers are also able to go to the main PX at South Fort to

purchase any other items that cannot be obtained at the shopette. So over all the moral is high and

with the authorized 4-day pass prior to departure into country the troops are stoked! I want to per-

sonally thank the families and friends of the Raptor Battalion for your support.

1SG Bret Jensen

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G reetings to Our Cougar Family,

We departed Ft. Lewis on or journey to Ft. Hood,

TX as a flight of eight aircraft. The weather was

not in our favor as we moved south, causing us to stay in

Eugene, OR. After we left there it was smooth flying

and we made it to Texas safely.

We began our SRP process, updating our personnel re-

cords, and doing medical checks. Everyone completed it

without any problems. Our next mission was to fly four

of our aircraft to Pensacola, FL to complete deck qualifi-

cation, allowing us to land on ships. This was great

training and was exciting because we had never done his

type of training before. We returned to Ft. Hood for a

couple of days before we were off to New Mexico for

environmental training. There we practiced our dust

landings in preparation for our mission in Kuwait.

The time here at our mobilization site in Ft. Hood is go-

ing fast. As we move toward our departure for Kuwait

know that your husbands, wives, sons and daughters are

doing amazing things that you will be proud of. I am

proud of each and every one of them and all the things

they do daily. We hope that all is well with you at

home. For we know that you have the toughest job of us

all.

God bless you and know that our families are in our

thoughts always!

1SG James Grau

G reetings Cougar Families,

This will be the first installment of a newsletter

that we hope to publish at least every couple of

months detailing what is going on with our unit. As

most of you are aware, we have been extremely busy

since we left Ft. Lewis on February 16th. Our cross

country flight that was scheduled to take 3 days ended

up taking 5, due to inclement weather along our fight

route. Immediately upon our arrival at Ft. Hood, every

Soldier was required to complete the in-processing pro-

cedure and identify any potential health risks that they

may have had. Fortunately, all of our Soldiers are

healthy and had no issues with the Ft. Hood Medical

team. After completing our in-processing at Ft. Hood,

our first mission was to relocate to Pensacola, FL for our

Deck Landing Qualifications (DLQ). For many of the

Cougars, this was their first time ever conducting over

water operations and actually landing on a ship. As you

can imagine, we were all very excited for the training

opportunity. Following our DLQ training, we moved

back to Ft. Hood for one day to reset our aircraft and

plan our next training event. On March 7th, we took 4

of our Blackhawks to Albuquerque, NM to complete our

Environmental and Low Contrast Flight Training.

This training consists of landing the aircraft in various

field environments where ere are large amounts fo dust

and minimal visibility, during both day and night. Over-

all, everyone has enjoyed this training as well and are

looking forward to heading back to Ft. Hood.

Overall, your soldiers are doing incredibly well and the

morale of the entire company is very high. As always,

we owe a lot of the credit for this to each of you. Each

of us knows that without a strong family and great

friends, this job would be absolutely impossible. Thanks

again for the burden that each of you are carrying and

will continue to carry throughout this deployment.

Stay safe and remember-each day that passes is one day

closer to our return.

1SG Grau

CPT Sieglock

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d ragon Family Members and Friends, During the months leading up to our mobilization

date, I was asked several times about what to expect at

North Fort Hood, Texas. Haunted by the tribulations of

past experiences, I struggled to spin my answer in a posi-

tive light. Liberal use of the terms ―team building‖ and ―a

leadership challenge‖ was a must. ―Basically…Ft. Hood

should make Kuwait seem like Kauai‖. But Fort Hood

didn’t buy it.

D/1-168th GSAB Soldiers were greeted at the gate by the

opportunity to perform the work they were trained to do:

maintain the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The adminis-

trative processes known by the terms ―SRP‖ and ―RFI‖

are usually akin to a week of standing in line at the DOL,

making combat-tested Soldiers run for cover. The proc-

ess, however, was remarkably efficient and D Company

Soldiers were able to begin performing their primary du-

ties within just a few days.

Some of D Company’s significant accomplishments to

date include two preventative maintenance services, per-

forming six engine and aircraft wash regiments, perform-

ing field maintenance to support training at Pensacola, FL

and Double-Eagle, NM, as well as conducting unsched-

uled maintenance at the highest level. While the Army

standard for maintaining aircraft at flyable status is 75%,

D Company has been maintaining a 89% rate.

Outstanding performance has been demonstrated by a

number of Soldiers. SSG Travis Johnson, along with SPC

Jessica Hultgren, PFC Lucas Gilmore, SPC Adam Wal-

lace and the rest of the UH-60 mechanics have shown

terrific potential. Newcomers PFC Cameron McKee and

PFC Roman Merenovskiy have been outstanding addi-

tions to the Company. SFC Michael Luna’s Shops Pla-

toon, to include SPC James Amadeo, SPC James Watson,

and SPC Stephanie Hayes, has displayed true profession-

alism. Finally, the leadership team of 1LT Jason Miller,

1SG Thomas Turner, CW3 Jeff Burkhardt, and SFC Mi-

chael Twaddell continue to demand the highest standard

from each and every Soldier assigned to D Company.

In the weeks ahead, we look forward to completing de-

ployment certification and pushing forward to Kuwait.

Thanks again for the continued support from all!

H ello Dragon Family,

We have accomplished much over the last 9

months. Now here some of us are at Ft. Hood

Texas completing our training for Operation New Dawn.

The unit has performed well above standard and expecta-

tions.

With the accolades come some other benefits of our hard

work. PV2 Becker and PV2 Mckee are promoted to Pri-

vate First Class. PFC Hust and PFC Gilmore are pro-

moted to Specialist. I expect several more promotions

soon.

The unit has completed SRP, and is currently in Company

collective training. With the ADVON passes coming up

and CTX just around the corner. The unit equipment has

been loaded and moved to the port. Thanks to the hard

work of SFC Luna and his crew.

SSG Johnson and the maintenance crew have been hard at

work with 120 hr inspections on 2 aircraft and many un-

scheduled maintenance problems on the aircraft. In addi-

tion to the guard duty and classes going on.

The Headquarters platoon has been hard at work with

parts ordering, supply functions, production control func-

tions and quality control of aircraft maintenance.

Selected individuals have completed training in Pensa-

cola, Florida and in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

So as you see we have been very busy. Our thoughts and

prayers go out to our family and friends at home, support-

ing this deployment as only they can. Thank you for your

support!

1SG Thomas Turner

1SG Turner

CPT Gering

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Raptor 6’s Wall of Honor

These Soldiers have shown exemplary

performance and are recognized for their

outstanding performance.

OPERATIONS EXCELLENCE

SFC PATRICK THOMAS

ALSE EXCELLENCE

SGT LINDSAY VALDIVIEZO

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TACOPS EXCELLENCE

CW3 JOHN COLE

DOOR GUNNERY EXCELLENCE

SSG SHAWN BENTLEY

These Soldiers scored 100% on

every event, push ups, sit ups, and

a 2 mile run during the Army

Physical Fitness Test (APFT).

SGT GITAU

CPT GERING

CSM SPAULDING LTC DENT

LT HANISCH

SPC SERRANO

CPT COLLINS

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HONORARY HONORARY HONORARY RAPTORSRAPTORSRAPTORS

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1-168 AVN (GSAB) and Major General Charles Anderson

reunited during deployment training at North Ft. Hood, Texas

T he Soldiers of the 1-168 AVN (GSAB)

proudly represented the Washington

Army National Guard during a surprise visit

from Major General Charles Anderson, the

Commanding General of the First Army Divi-

sion West. On Sunday morning, March 27th,

2011, the 1-168 AVN (GSAB) conducted a

Battalion run to cap five days of collective

company and staff training to include the pre-

deployment Culminating Training Event

(CTE). MG Charles Anderson presided over

the pass and review with LTC Dan Dent at the

end of the Battalion run. Major General Charles Anderson was the Deputy Commanding General of Third Army/

United States Army Central, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait during the deployment of the 1-168 AVN (GSAB) in 2007/2008.

T he 66th TAC Commander, COL Stephen Kent, visited the 1-

168th AVN (GSAB) with CSM Eden, LTC Linton and CSM

May on 25-26 March 2011. The 66th TAC Command team was

able to observe Soldiers of the 168th AVN conducting operations

during the Battalion’s Culminating Training Exercise (CTE).

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Specialist William Hust

Specialist Kenneth Langston

Private First Class Daniel Becker

Private First Class Cameron McKee

Major William Blakey

Master Sergeant Lawrence Shurman

Specialist Hali Sayers

Specialist Tyrell Collier

Specialist Sonny Gunderson

PROMOTIONSPROMOTIONSPROMOTIONS

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SRP

MSG Janie Sutton Memorial

Service

Pensacola, FL Training

Load Out

Albuquerque, NM Training

1-168th B.B.Q

CSEL Lane Training

ADVON 4 Day Pass

24hr CTE OPS

Battalion Run

PT Test

Main Body 4 Day Pass

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Who You Gonna’ Call? Every family of a deploying Soldier from the 1-168 AVN should have this list of the

most important contact numbers during the deployment.

This guide will help you decide who to call when you need to get some assis-

Chaplains provide 100%

confidential counseling to

Soldiers and NG families.

They also provide reli-

gious support and guid-

ance.

J9 is the WANG directorate

for Soldier and Family sup-

port. Departments include:

Yellow Ribbon, Resiliency

Training, Sexual Assault Re-

sponse, Suicide Prevention,

Family Programs (Marriage

Retreats, Family Retreats,

FAC’s), and Employment

In command of the Soldiers

remaining at JBLM to sup-

port the troops in Kuwait.

Contact LTC Allen when

unit support is needed.

The PAC is available to

help route your call to the

appropriate assistance at

the 66th or 1-168.

FAC’s have links to commu-

nity and other resources.

Contact Denise to help with

family issues, financial assis-

tance, finding counseling, etc.

MFLC’s are available as

counselors and links to

additional resources.

They are especially good

listeners and advisors.

Specializing in helping children,

Kim is especially good at help-

ing youngsters and their parents

cope with deployment.

Visit missionaclchaplain.com to

read an interview with Kim.

A comprehensive collection of re-

sources, help, and counseling for any

situation a military family may en-

counter. Suicide Hotline, free coun-

seling, and other free assistance to

military families.

In case of emergency, contact the

Red Cross to send an official no-

tification to your deployed Sol-

dier. The Red Cross is available

24/7 and will verify the emer-

gency and notify your Soldier.

We encourage you to write in

your own emergency contacts in

this space. Keep this in a visible

place, as well as in this magazine,

in case you need to contact a fam-

ily member or friend in a hurry.

Red Cross Messages

The American Red Cross provides a means of verified, official emergency messages to be transmitted

between Soldiers and their families. Red Cross messages are used to communicate the birth of children

and emergency situations. In order for a Soldier to receive permission to return home for an emergency,

an official Red Cross Message must be received by his or her unit.

To initiate a Red Cross Message, contact the Red Cross-Mt. Rainier Chapter at

253-474-0400

http://www.rainier-redcross.org

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OUR FELLOW SOLDIER’SOUR FELLOW SOLDIER’SOUR FELLOW SOLDIER’S

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