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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
Page 4 Wolfpack Howler
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.
Page 5 Wolfpack Howler
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.
Page 7 Wolfpack Howler
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