april 2016 edition - 505th panther association · battlefield effects integrated maneuver...

APRIL 2016 EDITION

2016 Best Ranger Competition......................................................................7-8

2016 Best Sapper Competition...................................................................15-16

Remembering our fallen brothers...................................................................17

What’s Inside

1-508th trains at Fort Irwin............................................................................10

Upcoming Events............................................................................................18

3BCT Paratrooper accepted to medical school..................................................6

From the CommanderPanther Family,

This past month has been quite busy to say the least. We’ve con-ducted a number of collective training events spread out across the country, Texas, California and of course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. These events increased in complexity, duration and intensity – and with live rounds. Training with blank ammunition is a useful tool as Paratroopers hone their individual skills, but there’s nothing quite like sending rounds downrange while engaging targets. The stakes are much higher, and the risk factor increased. Paratroopers must be confi-dent and proficient with their weapon systems -- their skill and profession-alism has impressed the Command Sergeant Major and I, and given us the confidence that our junior leaders are some of the best our Army has to offer. Despite the high operational tempo, we still managed to make time for some resiliency opportunities; in many ways those are just as important as our warfighting tasks. Two such opportunities were the Panther Recon chili cookoff and a chaplain-spon-sored paintball outing. It’s a good thing that the Fort Bragg Fire Depart-ment stopped by the chili cookoff, because some of the samplings were on fire!

Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercises

Combined Arms Live Fire Exercises (CALFEX) are a critical component of collective training. This event served as an opportunity to test all of our systems, from fires and maneuver to marksmanship and

medical proficiency and the ability to mission command the operation as well as a whole lot in between. It is the final culminating exercise required to validate companies prior to executing Battalion-level Live Fire Exercises at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

It truly emphasizes the im-portance of every Paratrooper in this Brigade Combat Team; one of the reasons why keeping the right people in uniform (and in this unit) is so important. As we prepare for JRTC, this exercise included a realistic set of scenarios designed to make our Para-troopers think outside the box. The robust combination of battlefield effects integrated maneuver (including aviation), fires, intelligence and sustainment in a way that sought to change the way companies train at Fort Bragg. We integrated a variety of enablers and battlefield effects into the scenarios, based on lessons learned during Operation Inherent Resolve. I should point out that a secondary ef-fect of deployments, is that they often serve as excellent training opportuni-ties. To that end, we integrated quite a few real-world enemy Tactics, Tech-niques and Procedures (TTPs) into the iterations. There were real demo-litions, including a remotely-operated Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device. We exercised a variety of intel-ligence gathering platforms and sys-tems and leaders had the opportunity to call for fire, receiving real effects. When we called up a nine-line med-ical evacuation, an actual HH-60M came and evacuated a scenario-based casualty. Every Paratrooper left Ob-

servation Post 13 better trained, more lethal and more confident than when they arrived. Additionally, we sent a battalion to conduct CALFEXs at the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California. There, the companies conducted maneuver training while integrating intelligence collection platforms with direct and indirect fires. There were few maneu-ver limitations and the Paratroopers were able to integrate indirect fires to a degree impossible here at Fort Bragg – really a tremendous training opportunity. Some of the Paratroopers will remain and serve as part of the Opposing Forces (OPFOR).

Operation Viking III

Operation Viking III was the third component in a series of battal-ion level airfield seizure operations. This event was hosted by 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment of the Texas National Guard. Elements of 1Panther and other enablers trav-eled to northern and central Texas to take part in this exercise. Not only did it provide an excellent training oppor-tunity for our Paratroopers, but it also supports the Army Total Force Policy (ATFP). The ATFP states in part that the active and reserve components will conduct large-scale exercises to achieve broader Army objectives.

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As we train for combat, it is important to build mutual trust between differ-ent units of different components. Our uniforms all say “U.S. Army” on the left nametape; that is because we are all part of the total force, working to achieve the same endstate for our nation. Much like CALFEX, this was an important training exercise, as it ensured that the first time we worked with 1-143rd wasn’t during JOAX.1-505 and 2-505 Platoon Live-Fire Exercises As part of the collective train-ing glidepath, 1 and 2 Panther con-ducted platoon-level live-fire exercises prior to the CALFEX. Much like the CALFEX, the Paratroopers practiced their fire and maneuver integration on a smaller, but equally important scale. As the training echelon in-creases, it’s critical that the squads and platoons are proficient with the tasks pertinent to their level. During platoon live fires, at West McKeithan Pond, platoons from 1-505 maneuvered through wooded terrain and attacked a three-building compound. Accessing the compound required the platoon to employ en-gineers with demolitions to breach a wire obstacle, a gated wall, and one building entry point. A 60mm mortar section fired in support of each platoon’s maneuver. The battalion’s scouts were also uti-lized to conduct reconnaissance of the objective in advance of most missions, providing observation during each attack. Two Panther conducted simi-lar exercises at Observation Post 13; a great opportunity to reconnoiter the terrain prior to training there during CALFEX. There, the platoons execut-ed woodland infiltrations and enemy engagements, followed by assaults on a compound.

Non-Combatant Evacution Leadership Professional Develop-ment One of the many responsi-bilities of the Global Reaction Force (GRF) is the ability to conduct a (NEO) NEOs are conducted to assist the Department of State (DOS) in evacuating noncombatants, nones-sential military personnel, selected host-nation citizens, and third coun-try nationals whose lives are in danger from locations in a host foreign nation to an appropriate safe haven and/or the United States. These operations usually involve swift insertions of a force, temporary occupation of an objec-tive, and a planned withdrawal upon completion of the mission. Instructors traveled to Fort Bragg to conduct a Leader Professional Development session with key personnel in the bri-gade. Though in a classroom environ-ment, the training was invaluable and engaging.

Best Ranger Competition and Best Sapper Competition

Best Ranger Competition (BRC) at Fort Benning, Georgia and Best Sapper Competition (BSC) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, are multi-day morale and team-building events which serve to demonstrate which buddy-teams possess the req-uisite skills and intestinal fortitude to come out on top at the end of the competition. Regardless of their place at the end, these Paratroopers have demon-strated their drive to achieve more than what is asked of them; for that, they should be commended. Of the 10 Paratroopers representing the Divi-sion at Best Ranger Competition, 3rd Brigade sent five of its best Rangers. Those teams were #17 and #18 with

and one 3rd Brigade Ranger com-peted on team 20 with a 2nd Brigade Ranger. At the end of the competi-tion, team 17 finished in 13th place, particularly important considering that 50 teams began the competition with 50% of them being eliminated midway through. The 82nd Airborne Division sent six of its best Sappers to the 10th annual Best Sapper Competi-tion at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Five of those six Sappers came from 3rd Brigade. At the end of the Best Sapper Competition, 3rd Brigade placed first, third and ninth. This grueling com-petition consisted of 42 events, cover-ing over 50 miles within the course of 50 hours. The competition tested the competitors physically, mentally and emotionally. The winning team was actually a mix of 2nd BCT and 3rd Paratroop-ers, SFC David Rizo and CPT Jason Bahmer respectively. The third and ninth place teams were Panther pure, consisting of 1SG Jose Casillas and SFC Tim Shay; and 1LT Joshua Mc-Cormick and SGT Michael Graziani.

“What we can look forward to next month” May will be a busy month complete with battalion-level field training exercises prior to a slew of administrative tasks leading up to one of the most special times of the year, All American Week. Of note, there will be multiple changes of command, from the Brigade Combat Team to the company level. Even though an orga-nization’s leaders rotate in and out, the resiliency and professionalism of the remaining individuals helps the ship to sail smoothly. We will conduct Op-eration Clean Sweep, improving our positions prior to our friends, families and veterans arriving to take part in the week-long display of Airborne

pride, heritage and competitive spirit. This year will be similar to All-Ameri-can Weeks past, except bigger. There will be more planes, more Paratroopers and more compe-tition. A competitive spirit is an im-portant aspect of being a Paratrooper; the warrior ethos and winning atti-tude is one of the things that makes us the storied fighting force that history has shown us to be. From the beaches of Normandy to the sporting fields at Fort Bragg, Paratroopers throughout history have demonstrated their will to win. I hope to see many of you at the activities the brigade will par-ticipate in, especially the regimental picnic. One of our former Paratroop-ers, Technician Five Kelley W. Byars, will have a clinic renamed in his honor. Byars was a combat medic in Company A, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division who received the Silver Star for his actions during Operation Market Garden. All of the Fort Bragg clinics are named for N.C. natives, and Byars was from Salisbury, NC. One of the best parts of being the BCT Commander is the oppor-tunity to circulate throughout the companies and platoons and observe your sons and daughters, friends and families doing what they love, being a Paratrooper. As my time here comes to a close, I am thankful to have served again in the 505th. I am thank-ful for the opportunity to have been surrounded with passionate, profes-sional Paratroopers on a daily basis. I’m confident that my successor, COL Gregory Beaudoin will be in good hands as he takes command of the BCT on 20 May.

All The Way! Airborne! H-Minus!

Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg pro-vides feedback after a live-fire exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., April 29. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)

Col. Curtis Buzzard, commader of 3rd BrigadeCombat Team, 82nd Airborne Division pro-vides feedback after a live-fire exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., April 29. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)

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Paratroopers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 505th Prachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division lookout over a live-fire fanger before training at Fort Bragg, N.C., April 27, 2016.(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)

Spc. Sarah M. Mongold recently received a phone call proving that if you work hard your dreams can come true.

The Paratrooper, a medic assigned to Charlie Com-pany, 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, learned this April that she has been accepted into the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Medical Doctor program. With the acceptance, she will be directly commis-sioned as a medical corps officer and will attend the Basic Officer Leader Course this summer.Mongold said that everything in her life is now coming full circle. “I was … raised with a respect for Soldiers and ev-erything that they do, so as soon as I got into the healthcare field—even before I joined the Army—I knew that what I really wanted to do was to be taking care of Soldiers,” she said. “I’m going to get to do what I wanted to do.” After BOLC and four years of school, the Paratroop-er will work through a four year residence to achieve her dream. Mongold is no stranger to medical education. Before becoming an Army medic, she attended college and ulti-mately obtained a doctorate degree in chiropractic medi-cine.

The newly minted chiropractor went into private practice but said she wasn’t satisfied, so she decided to enlist only four months later. She said enlisting is a choice she has not regretted for one second. “I’ve just had some amazing experiences,” Mon-gold said. “The things that I’ve seen Soldiers are capable of—my peers and my mentors—has blown my mind. Peo-ple are so talented and intelligent and good at what they do.” Sgt. Terri Bluebird, Mongold’s mentor, said the Paratrooper’s potential is out of this world. She said she was impressed by the dedication Mongold showed while studying for the [Medical College Admission Test] on top of being a busy medic and Paratrooper. “She came in and completed our daily tasks but every spare moment she pulled out her notecards to study for the big test,” Bluebird said. “That still inspires me today and sets her apart from her peers.” Mongold said she is thankful for the perspective she’s gained over that past two years while serving as an enlisted Paratrooper. “I’ll have that experience moving forward as a provider,” she said. “I have so much respect for what Sol-diers—especially in this division—go through on a day-to-day basis. It [has been] an eye-opening experience. “It wasn’t always easy but it’ll be worth it in the end,” Mongold concluded.

BY STAFF SGT. MARY S. KATZENBERGER3RD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM PUBLIC AFFAIRS

3Spc. Sarah M. Mongold, a Paratrooper assigned to Charlie Company, 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., has been accepted to attend the Uniformed Services Univeristy of Health Sciences Medical Doctor program. The Paratrooper said her dream of taking care of Soldiers is finally coming true. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mary S. Katzenberger/Released)

rd BCT Paratrooper Accepted toMedical School

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BY SGT ANTHONY HEWITT3RD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Every spring the U.S. Army Best Ranger com-petition brings together two-man “buddy teams” whom are Ranger qualified and are

prepared to compete in a grinder of events to be named the Army’s best Rangers. This year was Fort Benning’s 33rd annual BRC. Fifty-one teams from all over the force arrived to challenge each other and perform tasks designed to push them to their physical and mental limits. April 15-17, Rangers covered a 60-mile distance in the ime span of 60 hours, with extensive physical and tactical tasks sandwiched in between. Tasks included parachute jumps, weap-

ons firing, ruck marches carrying packs weighing around 60 pounds, and land navigation. This year, five teams of ten Paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division entered the competition in the hopes of bringing the victory home to Fort Bragg. In the end only one team was crowned the Best Rangers, and they made history--they are the first winners to be assigned to the National Guard. Team 47, Capt. Robert Killian, assigned to 19th Special Forces Group, Colorado National Guard, and Staff Sgt. Erich Friedlein, assigned to Pennsylvania National Guard. “We’re here to stay,” Staff Sgt. Friedlein said, refer-ring to the National Guard’s role in Best Ranger during an interview.


U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Carlos Mercado, assigned to 82nd Airborne Division, climbs out of the dunk pit during the Spartan Race at Fort Mitchell, Ala., during the Best Ranger Competition at Camp Rogers, Fort Benning, Ga., April 16, 2016. The 33rd annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition 2016 is a three-day event consisting of challenges to test competitor’s physical, mental, and technical capabilities. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Terrell Maxwell/Released)

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Zachary Hayes, assigned to 82nd Airborne Division, climbs the final wall after a three-mile run and assisting his teamate up the wall before moving to the next event during the Best Ranger Competition at Camp Rogers, Fort Benning, Ga., April 15, 2016. The 33rd annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition 2016 is a three-day event consisting of challenges to test competitor’s physical, mental, and technical capabilities. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Terrell Maxwell/Released)

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Cody Chick and 2nd Lt. Zachary Hayes, assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, carry their poncho raft out of the water after conducting a Helocast into Victory Pond, Fort Benning, Ga., April 17, 2016. The 33rd annual Best Ranger Competition 2016 is a three-day event consisting of challenges to test com-petitor’s physical, mental, and technical capabilities in honor of Lt. Gen. David E. Grange Jr. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Austin Berner/Released)

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Cody Chick, assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, moves down a rope to touch a U.S. Army Ranger Tab at Victory Pond, Fort Benning, Ga., April 17, 2016. The 33rd annual Best Ranger Competition 2016 is a three-day event consisting of chal-lenges to test competitor's physical, mental, and technical capabilities in honor of Lt. Gen. David E. Grange Jr. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Austin Berner/Released)

They’ve been tested in the coastal woodlands of eastern North Carolina, the swamps of Georgia and the bayous of Louisiana; now, Paratroopers assigned to 1st Battalion,

508th Parachute Infantry Regiment are putting their collective skills to the test in the high desert of Southern California. The battalion—at the peak of its intensive training cycle—is completing company combined arms live-fire exercises at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California through May 4. Supported by M777 Howitzers assigned to 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, and demolitions pro-vided by combat engineers assigned to 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion, the unit is operating in unfamiliar terrain in its bid to become certified to conduct live- fire exercises along with the rest of 3rd Brigade Combat Team’s infantry battalions during the bri-gade’s upcoming rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana. “It’s about sustaining that high level of readiness,” said Lt. Justin Y. Reese, commander of 1st Bn., 508th PIR. “They’re out here giving a hundred and ten percent to ensure that this tre-mendous investment that’s been made—not only in training and readiness, but in leader development—[is not taken for granted].” Each of the battalion’s companies is slated to complete blank and live iterations during the day and night at Zayeb, one of NTC’s many mock villages; each mission will require the Paratroopers to travel two kilometers and crest a large hill while equipped with a full combat load before reaching the objective. “The training here is phenomenal,” said Capt. Daniel B. Newell, commander of Bravo Company, 1st Bn., 508th PIR. “The desert provides very unique challenges that most of the company [has] never seen before in a training environment, because they’re used to Fort Bragg or JRTC where it’s much thicker forest.” Newell said the off post training event is important for his Paratroopers because it helps them see how all the moving pieces of an operation comes together. “A lot of these tasks are very easy to do, but when you combine them all into one movement … it’s a very difficult thing to do,” he said. “It’s great training for these [Paratroopers]; it’s great training for me as a leader; [and it’s a] great opportunity for my platoon leaders to really have to communicate with each other throughout the process.” Reese said with each iteration he sees the companies im-proving. “I tell each company that they measure themselves against themselves; it’s about being better than they were the last time,” he said. “Success is that they have confidence in each other and in the systems built around them that bring combat power to this fight.”

'FURY'BRINGS

FIGHTTO NTC

STORY & PHOTOS BYSSG MARY KATZENBERGER


Paratroopers assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Reg-iment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Divsion engage targets with machine guns during a live-fire exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., April 27, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)

Paratroopers assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Para-chute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Divsion prepare to enter and clear a building during a live-fire exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., April 28, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)

A U.S. Soldier assigned to 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Divsision rides in a UH-60Q medical evacution helicotper over an objective during a live-fire exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., April 28, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Anthony Hewitt/Released)

Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercises

Paratroopers assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Divsion engage targets from behind a vehicle during a live-fire exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., April 27, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)

Paratroopers assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division prepare to breach a compound during a live-fire exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., April 27, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)


Panther Recon hosts Saturday Proficiency Jump Program

ABOVE: Paratroopers prepare to enter a CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade during the Saturday Proficiency Jump Program hosted by 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bragg, N.C. April 16. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Freeman/Released)

ABOVE CENTER: A jumpmaster from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, makes final checks to paratroopers prior to exiting a CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade during the Saturday Proficiency Jump Program, Fort Bragg, N.C. April 16. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Christo-pher Freeman/Released)

LEFT / RIGHT: Master Sgt. Dan E. Linderman, assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group out of Joint Base Lewis McChord and son Spc. Ian M. Linderman assigned to Alpha Company, 1-505th Parachute Infantry Regiment don parachutes before a jump on Sicily DZ, Fort Bragg N.C., April 16, 2016. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. David Blocker/Released)

photo from SGT Blocker

Paratroopers from across Fort Bragg, N.C., perform a static line jump during the Saturday Proficiency Jump Program (SPJP) at Sicily Drop Zone on April 16, 2016. The SPJP builds proficiency, experience, and confidence of individual Paratroopers, ensuring the XVIII Airborne Corps remains ready for contin-gency response missions. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tierney P. Curry/Released)

BELOW: Sgt. Nicholas Diaz with 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division gathers his parachute following a static line jump during the Saturday Proficiency Jump Program (SPJP) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on April 16, 2016. The SPJP builds proficiency, experience, and confidence of individual Paratroopers, ensuring the XVIII Airborne Corps remains ready for contingency response missions. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Tierney P. Curry/Released)


All-American engineers victorious at Best Sapper CompetitionBY SGT ANTHONY HEWITT3RD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Capt. Jason Bahmer, a Paratrooper assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Divi-sion and Sgt. 1st Class David Rizo, a Paratrooper assigned to 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. carry a 250lb crate during the Best Sapper Competition at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., April 21, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/ Released)

Capt. Jason Bahmer, a Paratrooper assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division and Sgt. 1st Class David Rizo, a Paratrooper assigned to 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. win first place in the Best Sapper Competition at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., April 21, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/ Released)

1st Sgt. Jose Casillas, a Paratrooper assigned to 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Bri-gade Combat Team conducts a dynamic thermal breach during the Best Sapper Competi-tion at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., April 19, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)

“These guys are the best.”- Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Green, command sergeant major of the 82nd Abn. Div.


Forty-eight teams of the Army`s toughest engineers competed in the 2016 Best Sapper Competi-

tion at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, April 18-21. Army engineers from Hawaii to Italy showed up to compete in the 10th annual competition, but in the end, only one team held the trophy high. The early morning of April 19, teams began a three-day journey and faced an agenda consisting of 42 events, over a 50-mile distance and had 50 hours to complete it. A steel bay door opens and teams move into action, three two-man teams are representing the 82nd Air-borne Division. Motivated screams explode on the scene and do not stop for three days. The events tested Sappers in technical and tactical skills and challenged their physical and mental strength. Engineers moved all over Fort Leonard Wood on foot participating in a non-standard physical fitness test, a rappel tower, stress shoots, zip lines, door breaches, demolition charges, ingenuity task and the famous X-mile run that has been described as the Sap-per Cross Fit games – a final event the

19 remaining teams experience before finally crossing through the red Sapper castle at the finish line. “These guys are the best,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Green, command sergeant major of the 82nd Abn. Div. “They`ve dedicated blood, sweat, and equity to come out [here]; represent the division and show that they are the best of the best.” Each passing day, handfuls of teams are eliminated depending on their performance. “We push the competitors to their mental and physical breaking points to see what they are made of,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Moore, an in-structor at the Sapper Leader Course. “Teams that are strong will succeed and teams that are unprepared or fall behind will be cut.” The six Paratroopers have been training for this week since January.Master Sgt. Eric Prescott, assigned to the 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div. was the primary coach for each team. He says they have been do-ing fitness training three times a day. We trained in engineer skills training throughout the weeks to ensure profi-ciency.

He says we incorporated training events at Fort Bragg`s Pre-Ranger facilities, including multi-day events emulating the competition. The competition`s schedule and events are kept confidential from the public; coaches and candidates can only anticipate the events. “The task they are evaluated on differ from year to year so they don`t know what to expect,” said Moore.On last day, the sun was glowing or-ange and gave the Sappers a hot morn-ing. Nineteen remaining teams stepped forward to compete in the X-Mile run. In the end, holding up the first place trophy was Capt. Jason Bahmer, Paratrooper assigned to 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT and Sgt. 1st Class David Rizo, Paratrooper assigned to 37th BEB, 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. Placing third overall was 1st Sgt. Jose Casillas and Sgt. 1st Class Tim Shay, Paratroopers assigned to 307th BEB, 3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. “I`m ecstatic,” said Rizo. “We put a lot into this and were really con-fident going into the events with the chance to come out and represent the 82nd Airborne Division.”

SPC Samuel WattsKIA May 19, 2012

SPC Gregory MillardKIA May 26, 2007

SGT Clayton DunnKIA May 26, 2007

CPL Michael JaurigueKIA May 26, 2007

You are never forgotten

http://www.facebook.com/panther.brigade http://www.youtube.com/c/PantherBrigade

26 May25 May24 May23 May

0930-1410Airborne ReviewSicily Drop Zone

1600-1700 1200 Division Memorial Ceremony 3BCT Gold Star Lunch82nd Abn. Div. Museum McKellars Lodge

0900-UTC 0900-UTC 0630-0730LGOP Contest Soccer Tournament Division RunSicily Drop Zone Towle Stadium Longstreet Rd.

1030-UTC 1300-UTC 1400-UTCRegimental Picnic Taylor Sandri Dedctn. Bryars Clinic Dctn.3rd BCT Quad MSTC (Ardennes) TFMC


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!”

april 2016 edition - 505th panther association · battlefield effects integrated maneuver...

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