• Wings 06 Comments • Wings 07 Comments • ‘Around the CAB’ Photos • 209th Soldier receives purple heart • 25th CAB competes in North Shore Marathon in Gas Mask • 25th CAB officers compete in Best Ranger Competition • Spouses of 25th CAB Soldiers receive an orientation flight • CAB Soldier of the Month • CAB NCO of the Month • CAB Officers of the Month • CAB Hero of the Month Community Relations Sounds Of Freedom CONTENTS Col. Frank Tate Commander, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus Ruiz Command Sergeant Major, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Commander’s Corner Command Sergeant Major’s Corner 25th CAB Public Affairs OIC: Capt. Ozzie Smith NCOIC: Sgt. Daniel Schroeder Public Affairs NCO: Sgt. Karl Williams Memorial Day marked the beginning of the sum- mer season and time for outdoor fun, travel and family vacations, among other activities. The long holiday weekend was the first opportunity for many of our Soldiers and family members to enjoy the warm weather and time with one another, so it’s especially important we work together to keep everyone safe. Leaders, engage with your Soldiers on their holiday plans, and Soldiers, please look out for one another and speak up when your buddy takes unnecessary risks. Speeding, neglecting to wear seat belts or PPE and drinking while driv- ing or boating are all too common and very real hazards for every mem- ber of our CAB Family. Since the weather here in Hawaii is close to summer all year long, it will get more dangerous due to the increase of families vacationing to the island. May is also known as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and the arrival of warmer weather lures bikers to answer the call of the road. As the number of motorcycles on the road increases, so does the potential for accidents. Ensure your PPE is in good condition and make sure your bike is in good condition. When you take to the road this sea- son, take time to ‘warm up’ and get comfortable with your driving skills and make sure to be aware of the increase of vehicles on the road and tourists who are not familiar with the roads and the exact paths to get where they want to go. Leaders are respon- sible for both setting and enforcing the standard, and the challenge for our CAB continues to be reaching these battle- hardened Soldiers on the importance of their personal accountability. Taking care of Soldiers is a tremendous job, and Leaders at all levels need support from their peers and superiors to do it effectively. There’s no substitute for know- ing your Leaders and Soldiers are counting on you to make it back safe. “ARMY STRONG” I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our Soldiers and families on a successful celebration of Aviation Week. As one chapter closes, another one opens for the CAB as we continue to prepare for deployment. Last month we maintained and sharpened our war fighting skills by conducting collective train- ing at PTA. Preparing CAB Soldiers for the rigors of full spec- trum aviation operations in combat is our number one priority. The CAB’s readiness is derived from tactical and technical competence and from confidence in individual and unit skills. Soldier capability relates to the ability to fight and win through tactical and tech- nical execution. Rigorous training on collective tasks will build our self- confidence as individuals and collectively, to bet- ter prepare for combat operations. The CAB’s collective training is an assembly of requirements organized to fulfill our overall train- ing goals as aviation Soldiers on our path to deployment. This training will only be successful if Soldiers and leaders are paying attention to detail and emphasizing proficiency at all train- ing events. Team, it is critical throughout the entire training process that leaders and Soldiers remain focused ensuring safety at all times. The CAB and battal- ion/squadron headquar- ters’ goals are to repli- cate conditions as close to deployment situations as possible. Innovative leaders seize every opportunity to increase training challenges for Soldiers and their units. Successful completion of each training event increases the capability and motivation of CAB Soldiers. As combat leaders train to sustain profi- ciency within our units as we prepare and focus for deployment, maintenance is training and aircraft maintenance must be a focal point in your train- ing plan. We are in the business of maximizing combat power to provide the very best support to those men and women on the ground. Finally, let’s remem- ber to take care of our Families and fellow Soldiers. Ensure we are caring for each other in Hawaii just as we do while on deployment. Remember we fly for the troops. Mahalo! Wings 6
Transcript
• W i n g s 0 6 C o m m e n t s
• W i n g s 0 7 C o m m e n t s
• ‘Around the CAB’ Photos
• 2 0 9 t h S o l d i e r r e c e i v e s p u r p l e
h e a r t
• 2 5 t h C A B c o m p e t e s i n N o r t h
S h o r e M a r a t h o n i n G a s M a s k
• 2 5 t h C A B o f f i c e r s c o m p e t e i n
B e s t R a n g e r C o m p e t i t i o n
• S p o u s e s o f 2 5 t h C A B
S o l d i e r s r e c e i v e a n o r i e n t a t i o n
f l i g h t
• CAB Soldier of the Month
• CAB NCO of the Month
• CAB Officers of the Month
• CAB Hero of the Month
C o m m u n i t y R e l a t i o n s
Sounds Of FreedomSounds Of FreedomSounds Of Freedom
C O N T E N T S
Col. Frank TateCommander,25th Combat Aviation Brigade
Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus RuizCommand Sergeant Major,
25th Combat Aviation Brigade
Commander’s Corner
Command Sergeant Major’s Corner
Col. Frank Tate
2 5 t h C A B P u b l i c A f f a i r s
O I C :
C a p t . O z z i e S m i t h
N C O I C :
S g t . D a n i e l S c h r o e d e r
P u b l i c A f f a i r s N C O :
S g t . K a r l W i l l i a m s
Memorial Day marked the beginning of the sum-mer season and time for outdoor fun, travel and family vacations, among other activities. The long holiday weekend was the first opportunity for many of our Soldiers and family
members to enjoy the warm weather and time with one another, so it’s especially important we work together to keep everyone safe. Leaders, engage with your Soldiers on their holiday plans, and Soldiers, please look out for one another and speak up when your buddy takes unnecessary risks. Speeding, neglecting to wear seat belts or PPE and drinking while driv-ing or boating are all too common and very real hazards for every mem-ber of our CAB Family. Since the weather here in Hawaii is close to summer all year long, it will get more dangerous due to the increase of families vacationing to the island. May is also
known as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and the arrival of warmer weather lures bikers to answer the call of the road. As the number of motorcycles on the road increases, so does the potential for accidents. Ensure your PPE is in good condition and make sure your bike is in good condition. When you take to the road this sea-son, take time to ‘warm up’ and get comfortable with your driving skills and make sure to be aware of the increase of vehicles on the road and tourists who are not familiar with the roads and the exact paths to get where they want to go. Leaders are respon-sible for both setting and enforcing the standard,
and the challenge for our CAB continues to be reaching these battle-hardened Soldiers on the importance of their personal accountability. Taking care of Soldiers is a tremendous job, and Leaders at all levels need support from their peers and superiors to do it effectively. There’s no substitute for know-ing your Leaders and Soldiers are counting on you to make it back safe.
“ARMY STRONG”
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our Soldiers and families on a successful celebration of Aviation Week. As one chapter closes, another one opens for the CAB as we continue to prepare for deployment. Last month we maintained and sharpened our war fighting skills by conducting collective train-ing at PTA. Preparing CAB Soldiers
for the rigors of full spec-trum aviation operations in combat is our number one priority. The CAB’s readiness is derived from tactical and technical competence and from confidence in individual and unit skills. Soldier capability relates to the ability to fight and win through tactical and tech-nical execution. Rigorous training on collective tasks will build our self-confidence as individuals and collectively, to bet-ter prepare for combat operations. The CAB’s collective training is an assembly of requirements organized to fulfill our overall train-ing goals as aviation Soldiers on our path to deployment. This training will only be successful if Soldiers and leaders are paying attention to detail and emphasizing
proficiency at all train-ing events. Team, it is critical throughout the entire training process that leaders and Soldiers remain focused ensuring safety at all times. The CAB and battal-ion/squadron headquar-ters’ goals are to repli-cate conditions as close to deployment situations as possible. Innovative leaders seize every opportunity to increase training challenges for Soldiers and their units. Successful completion of each training event increases the capability and motivation of CAB Soldiers. As combat leaders train to sustain profi-ciency within our units as we prepare and focus for deployment, maintenance is training and aircraft maintenance must be a focal point in your train-
ing plan. We are in the business of maximizing combat power to provide the very best support to those men and women on the ground. Finally, let’s remem-ber to take care of our Families and fellow Soldiers. Ensure we are caring for each other in Hawaii just as we do while on deployment. Remember we fly for the troops.
Mahalo!Wings 6
Sgt. Daniel Schroeder | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
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Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr. | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
Sgt. Daniel Schroeder | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
First Lieutenant Dave Biemer (left, center), transportation offi cer, Headquarters Support Company, 209th Aviation Support Battalion, “Lobos,” 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), poses for a photo with his wife, Monica (center), and daughter, Noella, and Col. Frank Tate (far left), commander, 25th CAB, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus Ruiz (far right), command sergeant major, 25th CAB, after being awarded the Purple Heart on Wheeler Army Airfi eld, Hawaii, April 12. Biemer was wounded during a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Southeast Baghdad, while serving as a Marine in April 2003.
Colonel Frank W. Tate (right), president, Aloha Chapter, Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA), and commander, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), and Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus Ruiz, command sergeant major, 25th CAB, sample the “grog” punch to ensure it is ready for consumption before the eager Aloha Chapter crowd during the AAAA Ball held in Ko’Olina, Hawaii, April 29.
Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr. | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
Colonel Frank Tate (left), commander, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), pins the Purple Heart on 1st Lt. Dave Biemer, transportation officer, Headquarters Support Company, 209th Aviation Support Battalion, “Lobos,” 25th CAB, on Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, April 12, for wounds received in action as a Marine on April 8, 2003 in Baghdad, Iraq.
209th ASB Soldier awarded Purple Heart
Story and photos by Sgt. Daniel Schroeder25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
WHEELER ARMY AIR-FIELD, Hawaii – “Let it be known that he who wears the Military Order of the Purple Heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland, and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen” can be found on the Or-der of the Purple Heart. First Lieutenant Dave Biemer, a transportation offi cer assigned to Head-quarters and Support Company, 209th Aviation Support Battalion (ASB), “Lobos,” 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), received the Purple Heart on Wheeler Army Airfi eld (WAAF), April 13, for wounds he sustained during combat while serv-ing on a deployment near Baghdad, Iraq with the
Marines in 2003. The Purple Heart is the oldest award that is still given to members of the U.S. military, the only earlier award being the obsolete Fidelity Medal-lion. The Purple Heart was not always known by this name; it was fi rst established by George Washington, then com-mander-in-chief of the Continental Army, as the Badge of Military Merit on Aug. 7, 1782. The Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not “recom-mended” for the decora-tion; rather, he or she is entitled to it upon meet-ing specifi c criteria. The Purple Heart is awarded to service members who have been wounded, killed or died of wounds suffered as a result of enemy action, while serving on or after April
5, 1917 with the U.S. military. Over 800,000 Purple Hearts have been awarded. “On April 8, 2003, I was a Marine sergeant assigned to 2nd Platoon, F Company, 2nd Battal-ion, 23rd Marines,” said Biemer. “My company was on a convoy south-east [of] Bagdad when we [were] surrounded by a group of the last uniformed opposition of enemy forces in Iraq. We quickly set up defensive positions as we received rocket-propelled gre-nade and small-arms fi re. During the fi ght, an RPG landed close to my position and I [received] shrapnel wounds to my hands. “We fought through the opposition and reached our destination. It was [only] after we stopped [that] I realized that I had sustained
wounds.” Biemer progressed to the rank of gunnery sergeant before leaving the Marine Corps and becoming an offi cer in the Army. “The fact that he made E-7 in the Marines before joining the Army, shows how profi cient and devoted he is to his job,” said Capt. Joaquin De-quintanaroo, brigade ad-jutant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 25th CAB. “He is one of the most upstanding Americans and Soldiers I have ever met.” “We brought ev-eryone back that day,” said Biemer. “It was all thanks to my past non-commissioned offi cers that helped me learn the essential tasks for combat survival and the teamwork needed to pull together under life threat-ening conditions.”
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Colonel Frank Tate (left), commander, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), pins the Purple Heart on 1st
together under life threat-
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Staff Sergeant Marc Dibernardo, E. Company, 2nd Assault Helicop-ter Battalion (AHB), 25th Aviation Regiment, “Diamond Head,” 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, holds the American fl ag in memory of Soldiers killed or wounded in combat opera-tions at the North Shore Marathon fi nish line at North Shore, Hawaii, May 1.
CAB Soldier Runs for Wounded and Fallen
ComradesStory byCAPT. Ozzie Santiago Smith III25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
Photos byCAPT. Michael Lin-nington25th Combat Aviation Brigade Unit Public Affairs Representative
NORTH SHORE, Hawaii – There are individuals who run marathon events for personal challenge and competition. This thought process does not apply to Staff Sgt. Marc Dibernardo, E. Company, 2nd Assault Helicopter Battalion (AHB), 25th Aviation Regiment, “Diamond Head,” 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), who races to raise money for the support and recovery of wounded warriors (WW). Dibernardo’s par-ticipation in the North
Shore Marathon (NSM) was in memory of fellow Soldiers, who were wounded or killed in combat. He was sponsored by Team Red, White, and Blue (RWB), a non-profi t organiza-tion that aids WWs by sponsoring extreme athletes. RWB cre-ates a unique support system for veterans, families and friends while recovering from injuries received from combat operations. The donation raised by RWB is used to fund the reintegration of WWs back into the civilian world after be-ing released from the hospital or military. After crossing the fi nish line Diber-nardo, was unof-fi cially informed he fi nished the course in 3:49:42 breaking the previous world record of 3:54:49 for an individual running a marathon in a gas
mask. His immedi-ate thoughts were of ten friends he lost in Afghanistan last November, due to wounds sustained in battle and Soldiers recovering from their wounds back at home. Dibernardo said “The fallen and wounded warriors are the heroes, I’m not a hero, they’re heroes.” Dibernardo, who has been running in a gas mask since 2003, highlighted the positive impact the support from fellow Soldiers and his chain of command had in preparation for this event. “I’m really proud of him it’s incredible what he is doing run-ning a marathon and in a gas mask. We let him do his on training during physical fi tness time,” said Captain Lindsay Maples, E. Company, command-er, 2-25th AVN, 25th
CAB. Dibernardo’s ulti-mate goal is to keep the country informed and educated about the efforts and sacri-fi ces being made by our Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors while on deployments. “This is the best way I know how to let the world know about the sacrifi ces being made by our Soldiers,” said Dibernardo. In addition to his RWB sponsors, mem-bers from 2-25th AVN, 25th CAB chain of command, rallied be-hind him to complete the NSM in world record timing. “I’m very proud of him, it’s an outstanding thing what he’s doing and a great reason why he’s doing it’” said 1st Sgt. Henry Wood, former command sergeant major, 2-25th AVN, 25th CAB.
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Chief Warrant Offi cer 2 Erin Bailey, pilot in command assigned to A Company, 2nd Assault Helicopter Bat-talion, 25th Aviation Regiment “Diamond Head,” 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) allows children to ex-plore the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during the “Discovering Your Future in Aviation” conference at Pacifi c Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, Ford Island, HI, on Mar. 4.
Sgt. Daniel Schroeder | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
Sgt. Daniel Schroeder | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public AffairsSoldiers from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), “Wings of Lightning,” put on their gas masks during the nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) section of the Wings Challenge on Wheeler Army Airfi eld, Hawaii, April 20.
Sgt. Daniel Schroeder | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
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Sgt. Daniel Schroeder | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
Private Steven Bradshaw, � re support specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), holds the rappelling rope for a cadet in the Junior Reserve O� cer Training Corp (JROTC) during the annual JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge at the East Range near Wheeler Army Air� eld, Hawaii, March 15.
25th CAB, more than aviation at Best Ranger Competition
Story by Sgt. Daniel Schroeder25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
April 15 to 17 marked the days for the 28th Annual David E. Grange, Jr. Best Ranger Competition held at Fort Benning, Ga. This three day endurance
challenge tests two-man Ranger teams from units throughout the Army. For the event, Capt. Zachary Seidel, opera-tions offi cer, Headquar-ters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 2nd Assault Helicopter Battalion (AHB), 25th Aviation Regiment, “Diamond Head,” 25th
Combat Aviation Bri-gade (CAB), “Wings of Lightning,” and 1st Lt. Brett Latsha, executive offi cer (XO), E Compa-ny, 2nd AHB, 25th AVN, 25th CAB, represented the 25th CAB as its two-man Ranger team. “This was a great opportunity and we were fortunate to compete in
this event,” said Latsha. “I felt blessed to be a part of this unique op-portunity. It developed us both physically.” Soldiers are tested throughout the com-petition on physical and mental tasks after fatigue has set in. The test sequence is not revealed to the com-
Captain Zach Seidel (left) and 1st Lt. Brett Latsha (right), both as-signed to 2nd Assault Helicopter Battalion (AHB), 25TH Aviation Regiment, “Diamond Head”, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), crosses the fi nish line placing 17 out of 50 teams at the Best Ranger Competition held at Fort Benning, Ga., on April 15-17.
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depetitors until they arrive at the competition. “The competition was very dif-fi cult,” said Seidel. “It started at 6 o’clock a.m. and by 11:30 a.m. We had already covered 25 miles by running and canoeing. It was tough to focus on perfect tech-nique with the fatigue from the physical challenges the events covered.” The competitors had to devel-op a training plan that prepared them to excel in foot marching, weapons qualifi cation, movement under fi re and land navigation, although the sequence of events to be tested is unknown to teams. “We conducted long workouts, pushed through hours of work under stressful situations, talked
to people who have competed in this before and we utilized the Advanced Tactical Athlete Course (ATAC), which was a big resource for us,” said Latsha. “We trained on weapons from 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, “The Wolfhounds,” 3rd Brigade Com-bat Team (BCT), 25th Infantry Division (ID) and 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, “Cacti,” 3rd BCT, 25th ID and trained on radios for communication pro-vided by 2-35 Infantry.” Historically, Soldiers who com-peted in this event completed an unknown run distance, push- ups, sit- ups and Malvesti Confi dence Course. CAB Soldiers had to be experts in their profession and at a high level of physical and
mental stamina. “The competi-tion was tough. There was a high level of stress put on the competitors, but you just have to push through it, working under fatigue was diffi cult,” he said. “We learned a lot from each other and I believe it helped us in our professional development as offi cers.” “It felt great to fi nish an event of this size and impact and to compete against the other Sol-diers that made the trip to Fort Benning,” said Seidel. “It was an honor to compete in an event with a history such as this one.”
Helicopters from C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment “Lightning Horse,” 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) and 2nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment “Diamond Head,” 25th CAB land in front of the Pacifi c Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, Ford Island, HI, in support of “Discovering Your Future in Aviation” conference on Mar. 4.
Sgt. Daniel Schroeder | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
Soldier Of The Month
NCO Of The Month
Specialist Hamilton signifi cantly contributed to the “One Team, One Fight” concept by winning the 25th Combat Avi-ation Brigade and 25th Infantry Division Warrior Challenge competitions in May of 2011. Hamilton’s drive to excel set him apart from his peers and resulted in his selection to participate in the Warrior Challenge. He trained rigorously to improve his profi ciency at Warrior Tasks, weapons pro-fi ciency, land navigation and general military knowledge.Hamilton’s commitment to excellence and his dedication to accomplishing the mission resulted in his selection as teh 25th ID Soldier of the Year and enhanced the operational readiness of the 25th CAB earning him “Lightning Strong” Soldier of the Week. Hamilton also assisted in a company marathon training program. He personally fi nished 1st place in his age division in the North Shore Marathon.
Corporal Carroll participated in the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade and 25th Infantry Division Warrior Challenge com-petitions in May of 2011. Carroll’s set himself apart from his peers by demonstrating his will to excel and professionalism which resulted in his selection to participate in the Warrior Challenge. He trained rigorously to improve his profi ciency at Warrior Tasks, weapons profi ciency, land navigation and general military knowledge while maintaining his duties in the workplace. Carroll’s professionalism and drive to excel helped mission success during rotations at the Pohakuloa Training Area.
Staff Sergeant Dibernardo competed in the North Shore Marathon on May 1. He completed the mar-athon with a time of 3:49:42, unoffi cially breaking the previous world record for an individual running a marathon in a gas mask. Dibernardo competed in this event in memory of his fallen brother-in-arms in Afghanistan last November. Dibernardo was sponsored by Team Red, White and Blue, a non-profi t organization that aids wounded warriors by sponsoring extreme athletes. His participa-tion raised money for the support and recovery of wounded warriors.
O� cer Of The MonthFirst Lieutenant Brett Latsha (left), exec-utive offi cer, E Company Capt. Zachary Seidel (right), operations offi cer, Head-quarters and Headquarters Company2nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, “Diamond Head”25th Combat Aviation Brigade
Captain Seidel and 1st Lt. Latsha competed as a two-man buddy team for the 2011 Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning, Ga., April 15-17. The BRC is a three day event that tests competitors on their physical endurance and ability to complete tasks under pressure while battling fatigue. Seidel and Latsha started training for the event in December. They demonstrated professionalism and the will to excel by both train-ing rigorously for the event and maintaining their workplace. Out of the 50 teams that entered the event, they placed 17th.
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deCommunity RelationsSocial Networking
Facebook Visit USAG-HI’s Facebook page at www.face-book.com/usaghawaii where you will fi nd the most recent news, stories, videos and photos as well as fi nd out about upcoming events at U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii.
Also visit the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/25thCAB
FlickrU.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii posts photos online
at www.fl ickr.com/photos/usag-hi. Photos are from events held on the installation, volunteer projects service members and their families have participated in and from articles run in the Hawaii Army Weekly. Flickr allows visitors to comment on photos, connect with other users and download high resolution copies of images
TwitterUSAG-HI is now using Twitter, an Internet service that allows people to keep in touch and fi nd out information through frequent updates. If you’re interested in receiving updates on events, meetings, road repairs, etc. visit twitter.com/USAGHI.
Contact Us
If you have ideas for a story, information on community outreach programs, or volunteer services or support, please contact the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs staff at (808) 656-6663. Thank you.
