Insid

e LICENSE TO DRIVE . . . 2SCOUTS . . . . . . 3SURVEY SAYS . . . . . 4SLINGING IT . . . . . 5GOLDEN HOUR . . 6-7AVIATION’S FUTURE . . . 8METRO . . . . . . 10

Talonthe

Serving the soldiers of Task Force EagleOperation Joint Guard, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Volume 3, No. 25 Friday, June 20, 1997

By Staff Sgt. Tim Erhardt129th MPAD

C amp Comanche � Spc.Timothy Morell sits by thephone hoping it won�t ring.

He watches last year�s top videos,skims through a Newsweek, andwrites a letter. The phone is al-ways within reach.

Pulling shifts from early morn-ing until the tower closes opera-tions, he and the other four mem-

bers of the 264th Engineer Detach-ment (Firefighters) stationed here,know that they must be ready 24hours a day, every day. Eventhough they hope each day atCamp Comanche reflects the qui-et routine of the one before, if thephone does ring, they�re ready.

While Morell is sleeping, thePRC 27 radio is beside his cot. Ifan emergency call comes in, he will

Everready

See READY page 12

Sgt. Rickie Sabb (left),fire chief at CampComanche, and Cpl.Jerome Fryar,firefigher, hold thehose as it sprays anApache during a firedrill on the flightline.

Photo by Sgt. Steven Collins

The Talon Friday, June 20, 1997

THE TALON is produced in the interest of the servicemembers of TaskForce Eagle. THE TALON is an Army-funded newspaper authorized for membersof the U.S. Army overseas, under the provision of AR 360-81. Contents of THETALON are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by, the U.S.Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or Task ForceEagle. THE TALON is published weekly by the 1st Infantry Division (Task ForceEagle) Public Affairs Office, Eagle Base, Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina APO AE09789, Telephone MSE 551-5230, Sprint 762-5233. E-mail: talon@email-tc3.5sigcmd.army.mil. Acquire the Talon and other Bonia-Herzegovina relateditems from theTFE homepage: www.1id.army.mil Printed by PrintComTuzla.Circulation: 6,500.

The Talon1st Infantry Division Commander . . . Maj. Gen. Montgomery C. MeigsEditor in Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maj. William L. DuPont364th MPAD Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maj. Frank PartykaOIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st Lt. Robert M. InouyeEditor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sgt. William L. Geddes1st Infantry Division PA NCOIC . . . . . . . . . Staff Sgt. Gregory W. BinfordTranslator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mirela Zunic

Read and pass along -- a Talon is a terrible thing to waste

Page 2

UP FRONT

In the previous article, we weretalking about risks. We left off rec-ognizing that most of us do not do avery good job of ranking the accidentor injury potential of activities.

There are several reasons whythis is so. First, people tend to un-derestimate the danger of the un-known. In the same way, they areoften more apprehensive in situa-tions where they have little controlof the outcome. Being a passengerinstead of a driver, for example,most people are more likely to down-play or overlook the risk of activi-ties with which they are familiar.For instance, most of us give morethought to the risk of having an au-tomobile accident when we�re on atrip than when we�re driving towork. However, soldiers, as a group,are young and aggressive; it is intheir nature to accept some degreeof risk. Unfortunately, too manytimes that aggressiveness leads

them to un-derestimatedanger or failto take steps tocontrol or elim-inate it.

S o l d i e r swho regularlyengage inhigh-risk be-havior arebetting their lives against the oddsof accidental death. It�s my duty toall of you to make every attempt tochange that behavior, either throughon-the-spot corrections or by chang-ing attitudes through education. Weall must adopt this philosophy. I amconfident we will all very soon get afirm grasp on identifying, managingand reducing risk. See you all upfront!

Command Sgt. Maj. S. L. Kaminski1st Infantry Division (Forward)

BriefingsA good patrol brief sets the tone for the entire mission. A thor-

ough brief, including a mission statement, responsibilities, actionson contact, frequencies, order of march, etc., is a must. However, fora briefing to be most effective, it must be properly delivered. What Ihave seen most often is the common lecture approach. One-way com-munication � I speak, you listen � is the norm. While this meets therequirement for a briefing, it is not the most efficient method. Sincewe have to do the briefing, let�s get the most bang for the buck.

Start with a check list. Do not trust your memory, even on thosedaily routine missions. A checklist will preclude any omissions. Ihave some examples in the Task Force Eagle Safety Office -- give mea call if you need one, MSE 551-3382 or Sprint 762-3382.

Use two-way communication. When it comes to actions on con-tact, call on someone else to go through the reactions. This will do afew things for the patrol commander. First, it will give him or her anopportunity to assess whether or not the selected individual knowsthe procedure. Second, the rest of the patrol members get to hearsomeone else�s voice. Third, it keeps everyone on their toes, sincethey do not know who will be called on next.

If time permits, conduct a few rehearsals. Remember, we will fightthe way we train. Know your people, and any replacements that youmay have assigned for the day. Know your people�s limitations, cer-tifications, and qualifications. When in doubt, check.

Got any ideas, email me at safoff4@email-tc3.5sigcmd.army.mil.

Maj. Gary R. Spegal, 1st Infantry Division Safety Officer

Childrens Answers in Music Edu-cation as seen in the Missouri SchoolMusic Newsletter, collected by HaroldDunn.

Agnus Dei was a woman compos-er famous for her church music.

Refrain means don�t do it. A re-frain in music is the part you betternot try to sing.

An opera is a song of bigly size.

John Sebastian Bach died from1750 to the present.

Handel was half German, half Italian, and halfEnglish. He was rather large.

Beethoven wrote music even though he wasdeaf. He was so deaf he wrote loud music. Hetook long walks in the forest even when every-one was calling him. I guess he could not hearso good. Beethoven expired in 1827 and later diedfrom this.

Henry Purcell is a well-known composer fewpeople have ever heard of.

Aaron Copland is one of your most famouscontemporary composers. It is unusual to becontemporary. Most composers do not live untilthey are dead.

A virtuoso is a musician with real high morals.

In the last scene of Pagliacci, Canio stabsNedda who is the one he really loves. Pretty soonSilvio also gets stabbed, and they all live happilyever after.

When a singer sings, he stirs up the air andmakes it hit any passing eardrums. But if he isgood, he knows how to keep it from hurting.

Music sung by two people at the same time iscalled a duel.

Caruso was at first an Italian. Then someoneheard his voice and said he would go a long way.And so he came to America.

A tuba is much larger than its name.

Mus

ic e

duca

tion

The TalonFriday, June 20, 1997 Page 3

Info briefsGeneral orders

General Order (GO) 1 lives on,and troops supporting OperationJoint Guard must follow the restric-tions. These restrictions help main-tain the security, health, and welfareof U.S. forces. They prevent con-duct prejudicial to good order anddiscipline, or of a nature to bringdiscredit upon the U.S. forces. Theyalso improve relations with localnationals and friendly forces.

The prohibited activities underGO 1 are: taking, possessing, orshipping for personal use capturedweapons; introduction, possession,use, sale, transfer, manufacture, orconsumption of any alcoholic bev-erage; possessing, touching, using,or knowingly approaching withoutlegal authority any unexploded mu-nitions or ordnance, of any kind ordescription whatsoever; purchase,possession, use, sale, or introduc-tion of privately-owned firearms,ammunition, and explosives; gam-bling of any kind, including sportspools, lotteries and raffles; selling,bartering, or exchanging any cur-rency other than at the official hostnation exchange rate; entrance intomosques or other sites of Islamicreligious significance by non-Mus-lims unless directed by military au-thorities or compelled by militarynecessity; removing, possessing,selling, transferring, defacing, or de-stroying artifacts or national trea-sures.

GO 2 prohibits dining in local eat-ing establishments not located onTask Force Eagle base camps.

GO 3 clarifies the restriction onthe consumption of alcohol by sol-diers assigned, attached or perform-ing duties in the Task Force EagleAOR. The introduction, possession,use, consumption, or manufactureof alcoholic beverages is prohibit-ed, with limited exceptions. Beforeassuming consumption of alcoholfalls within an exception, seek ad-vice from your commander or TFElawyer.

GO 1-3 are punitive. Soldierswho violate the GOs may face court-martial under Article 92, UCMJ, vio-lation of or failure to obey a lawfulgeneral order or regulation. Maxi-mum punishment is confinement fortwo years, reduction to E1, forfeitureof all pay and allowances, and Dis-honorable discharge. POC: CPTHuestis, Office of the Staff JudgeAdvocate, MSE 553-3568.

HAN PJESAK, Bosnia-Herzegovina -- Recently, Task Force 1-41successfully conducted three weap-

ons storage site inspections simultaneous-ly in the Han Pjesak area. All elements ofthe task force were staged, ready and onalert as the locations were searched to en-sure compliance with the Dayton PeaceAccord. The Scouts of TF 1-41, however,were the first soldiers out, completing re-connaissance before the unit moved in.

COVER OF DARKNESS - During thenight, before the inspections were sched-uled, the Scouts rolled out to provide secu-rity and armed escort for the Camp Dobolaviation team. Like clockwork, the convoypulled into their tactical positions andposted guard. Here, the Air Force person-nel set up radio communication with thesupport aircraft that circled the objectivesthroughout the night. In the early morn-ing hours, the command post arrived. TheScouts immediately moved on before thesun had a chance to rise.

ON THE ROAD- Hitting the roadagain, the Scouts surveyed all of the majorroutes and locations key to the inspections.�The task force depends on us for immedi-ate, timely information,� said 1st Lt. ChrisMurray, Scout Platoon leader, TF 1-41. �Wechecked the area before the inspectionteams came in for civilian situations, mass-ing, and status of routes. Our findings con-firm or deny the battalion commander�splan.�

ON THE JOB - Next, the Scouts shiftedto a Republic of Serbia army base and es-tablished a stationary checkpoint. Underconstant watch, no movement in the area

went undetected. �In case of any unusualmovement during the inspections, we canprovide early warning to the Task Force.�Murray said. Bravo Section of the ScoutPlatoon also manned an observation postin a neighboring area.

STAY ALERT - Sgt. DennisMusselman, Alpha Section, Scout Platoon,said �We are the eyes and ears of the taskforce. The recon missions we do on theseroutes ensure that they are safe and pass-able for everyone else. Keeping aware andnot losing interest is very important be-cause we never know what can happen.�

KNOWING THEIR TURF - The Scoutsneed to have a working knowledge of nearly35,000 square kilometers, which is the areaof responsibility belonging to TF 1-41. Spc.Tim Dunn, Alpha Section, said his peace-keeping mission with Operation Joint Guardis very different than the way Scouts aretrained to operate. �This is a very high pro-file job,� he said. �We are normally trainedto operate low key and at night. But in Bos-nia, we drive around with our headlights onand come into contact with many people.�

CAMARADERIE - The bond of trustbuilt between the Scouts is apparent in thegood-natured interaction of the soldiers.�Many of us have been together for a coupleof years, so we work well together.� saidMusselman, a native of Klamath Falls,Oregon.

JOB WELL DONE - After the missionconcluded, the scouts returned to CampDemi, then back �home� to Camp Dobol,tired and dusty, but with their mission ac-complished. �I have the best soldiers in thetask force,� said Murray. �They are disci-plined, motivated and know how to getthings done.�

By Spc. Susanne Aspley364th MPAD

Scouts out

Spc. Daniel Adams andSpc. James Taft, both ofScout Platoon, TF 1-41,prepare to leave CampDobol on a dismountedpatrol to Mount Vis.

Photo by Spc. Susanne Aspley

The Talon Friday, June 20, 1997Page 4

the Talon Survey: Think your opinion is important? So do we! Fillit out. Fold it up. Mail it in. Or send us your answers via e-mail.

1. What is your unit?_____________

2. Are you? ___Enlisted ___Warent officer ___Officer ___DOD civilian ___Other

3. What base camp are you located at? ___Bedrock ___Colt ___Comanche ___Demi ____ Dobol ____ Eagle Base ___Guardian ___McGovern Other__________

4. How often do you read the Talon?___Every Week ___Occasionally ___Seldom ___Never

10. What would you like to see added to the Talon?

11. What would you like to see taken out of the Talon?

12. What type of stories would you like to see in the Talon?

13. What do you do with the Talon after you read it?___Throw it away ___send home ___Pass along to others

14. Did you know Task Force Eagle has a homepage?___yes ___no

15. If yes, have you been to the website (www.1id.army.mil)?

16. Did you know the Talon can be downloaded from the TFEhomepage? ___yes ___no

17. If yes, have you tried to download the Talon? ___yes ___no

5. If you never read the Talon, why?

6. Where do you usually get your copy from?___Dining Facility___From a friend___Around your base camp where?

7. What day is the Talon available at your base camp?

8. How difficult is it to get a copy?___Very easy ___Easy ___Difficult

9. What do you read in the Talon?___CSM Column ___Info Briefs___Safety Column ___Feature Articles___Entire Talon ___Photo Story___Comics (center of Talon)

Talon Office364th MPAD JIBOperation Joint GuardEagle Base, TuzlaBosnia-HerzegovinaAPO AE 09789

Talon Office364th MPAD JIBOperation Joint GuardEagle Base, TuzlaBosnia-HerzegovinaAPO AE 09789

MPS

fold

fold

The TalonFriday, June 20, 1997 Page 5

CAMP BEDROCK � Practice plays a critical role inthe development of a successful team. The sameholds true for NATO troops joining forces to help

keep the peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina.As members of the response forces, being able to quick-

ly respond to contingencies across Bosnia-Herzegovinamay mean the difference between an altercation endingpeacefully and an altercation escalating out of control.

In preparation for their upcoming duties as part of theStabilization Force�s Rapid Reaction Force soldiers from theSwedish Battalion�s Camp Oden teamed up with Company L, 1stBattalion, 159th Aviation Regiment for slingload and troop move-ment training here.

�In Bosnia, we have multinational divisions. The soldiers we�resupporting are members of the QRF (Quick Reaction Force) andthe RRF and are not all Americans,� said 1st Lt. Spencer J. Cloua-tre, platoon leader with Co. L. �It�s important for these units toget their hands on our equipment and see how we work so if some-thing should arise, we�re able to respond quickly and put them onthe ground.�

�This is a to-tally new conceptfor us,� said Maj.Sven ErinHedgren, Swed-ish Battalion lo-gistics officer.�This is very im-portant becausewe may be usedin other division-al areas and

need our logis-tical issues

to be trans-ported byair.�

T h et w o - d a ytrainingc o v e r e d

the entire spectrum of troop and equipmentmovement from the cantonment area to hit-ting the ground where support is needed.

� The first day we covered static loadtraining, entering and exiting the aircraftand assuming correct positions, as well assafety considerations� Clouatre said. �Thesecond day we practiced with a 500-gallonblivet used for carrying fuel, a 10,000-pound

cargo net and a HMMWV. In the afternoon we conducted apractical exercise where their guys actually ground guidedus using hand and arm signals, hooked up the load, redi-rected us into the LZ (landing zone) and dropped the load.�

�Our crew chiefs are well versed in all slingload operationsand are air assault qualified,� Clouatre said. �We show them theright way to do it and then let them do it.�

Although a new experience for many of the Swedish soldiers,they caught on quickly with both sides being open-minded andadapting well to each other.

�In aviation, we have a lot of regulations that govern how wedo things, but their systems, weapons and equipment are differ-ent so modifications sometimes need to be made,� Clouatre said.�We�re very open to their suggestions and ideas as long as thingsfit our safety regulations and we feel secure about it. A lot of goodideas come out of the soldiers we�re training.�

�It�s a little easier working with these guys because they speakEnglish and pick up things very well,� Clouatre said. �They werevery enthusiastic and motivated.�

�It�s good training. It�s different. I�ve never done this before,�said Sgt. Sabine Trost, deputy mechanized infantry squad lead-er. �It�s harder to do than it looks. It�s hard to communicate withall the noise and wind.�

The training precedes an exercise scheduled for the end of Junein final preparation for the units to assume their responsibilitieson the RRF in July and August, and the soldiers are looking for-ward to getting together again.

�Both their troops and ours like to see each other,� Clouatresaid. �It�s something they�ll remember for the rest of their lives.�

�We�ve had more of a working relationship, so I don�t know thepersons,� said Rifleman Pte Kataja. �But I welcome them down toCamp Oden.�

�My hopes are we can cooperate more in the future,� Hedgrensaid. �We all have a lot to learn from each other.�

Teacheach

other

By Spc. Matt J. Johnson129th MPAD

Swedish soldiers seekcover from high windsbehind a 500-gallon fuelblivet as a Black Hawkhelicopter hovers intoposition.

A Black Hawkhelicopter hoversover the landingzone carrying a500-gallon fuelblivet.

Photo Spc. Matt Johnson

Photo by Spc. Matt Johnson

The Talon Friday, June 20, 1997Page 6

CAMP BEDROCK � A soldier steps out of his vehicle while on patrol and spots anobject in the ditch below him. He picks up the object and discovers that he has ahomemade hand grenade. Instead of reporting it to the patrol commander, he de-

cides to try and find out how this tiny killer is designed.As the soldier arrives in his tent, he starts playing with the hand grenade. A slip of the

hand and a loud explosion follows. Screams and moans fill the smoky tent. The destructionfrom the small explosive is evident as the smoke clears, with members from the soldier�ssquad spread throughout the tent, all of them suffering from severe injuries.

Pandemonium follows with soldiers running around trying to figure out what happened.Amidst all the confusion, members of the medical platoon from Headquarters and Head-quarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry, here, take charge as they roll in with theirambulances and quickly start treating the injured. They evaluate the severity of the casu-alties and begin moving the injured to the aid station for treatment. A nine-line medicalevacuation (MEDEVAC) call placed to the 498th Medical Company sends a UH-60 BlackHawk helicopter to transport the casualties to Blue Factory, west of Tuzla.

With the sounds of the Black Hawk echoing through the quarry below the base camp,the medics efficiently prepare the casualties for transport. As the helicopter lands, StaffSgt. Joseph Cevasco, flight medic with the 498th, runs from the Black Hawk and decidesthe order in which the casualties need to be loaded. He grabs a medic team carrying acasualty on a transport litter, and directs them to the open doors of the Black Hawk. Afterthe helicopter is full, it lifts from the helipad. Minutes later the Black Hawk returns, end-ing the MEDEVAC training exercise.

The simulated grenade explosion is a scenario that the intense training prior to cominginto this war torn country should prevent. It is also a situation that is presented to manysoldiers day in and day out, and is a good training aid.

�The exercise is designed to show the medics all the aspects of a medical situation in thefield up to the point of placing the soldiers on an air MEDEVAC transport,� said 1st Lt.Glenn E. Marsh, medical platoon leader for HHC.

The young soldiers must learn to work as a team to treat the casualties within the firsthour, Marsh said. �The main goal of a medical exercise like this is to treat, evacuate andperform life-saving medical treatment all within the �Golden Hour.� This first hour is whenthe chance of saving life, limb or eyesight increases by 80 percent.�

While increasing the chance of survival for the casualties, unfamiliarity with any partof the mission for the medics could increase the chance for additional injuries.

One of the most dangerous times is when the helicopter makes its approach, said ChiefWarrant Officer Paul E. Kahler, Black Hawk pilot for the 498th. �When landing, we pro-duce winds in excess of 200 mph, which will cause any loose items and rocks to fly around.Take care of yourself and the patients so we don�t create more inju-ries than there were when we came in.�

To prevent further injuries, the medics with TaskForce 2-2 Inf. and the 498th Med. Co. met prior to theexercise and conducted training on the proper way toapproach and depart from the helicopter, and the load-ing procedure for the Black Hawk helicopter.

�The class that we conducted prior to the exercisemade me feel more confident in my job for this real-world exercise,� said Pfc. Shannon G. Oxford, a medicwith HHC.

A real-life situation puts the importance of this train-ing exercise into perspective. Spc. Larry Grantham, Jr.,also a medic with HHC, recently was transferred fromCamp McGovern where he treated a Bosniak child whostumbled on a mine, suffering a severe injury.

�During a training exercise, you can stop and think ofyour next move and what needs to be done,� saidGrantham. �When you see blood, you get nervous. Youhave to depend on your training because there isn�t timeto think what to do next, you just react.�

�They performed well and handled me very profession-ally,� said Pfc. Roscoe Harris, administrative clerk withthe 108th Military Police Company, here, who acted as oneof the injured soldiers. �I feel if my life depended on themedics doing their job, I would have survived.�

By Staff Sgt. Jerry A. Weber129th MPAD H�Golden

The TalonFriday, June 20, 1997 Page 7

Hour�n

From top right, clockwise, Capt. Charlie Nham,the surgeon for HHC, Task Force 2-2, treats acasualty with the assistance of medics during amass casualty exercise... Members of TF 2-2medical section load a casualty onto a BlackHawk helicopter during the exercise... Staff Sgt.Joseph A. Cevasco, flight medic with the 498thMedical Company, guides members of TF 2-2 asthey carry a casualty to a Black Hawk helicopterduring the exercise... Background, Members ofthe 108th Military Police Company providesecurity for the 498th Medical CompanyBlackhawk helicopter as it departs after pickingup casualties during the exercise.

The Talon Friday, June 20, 1997Page 8

CAMP COMANCHE � Generals and contractors talkabout the future of Army aviation in terms of larger andmore complex weapons systems. Cobras were exchanged

for Apaches, and Apaches will someday yield to sleeker, fasterand more advanced attack helicopters.

However, the future of Army aviation is not in the technology,but in the young soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 229th AviationRegiment. One crew � 1st Lt. Shannon M. Huffman, Chief War-rant Officer Matthew B. Witlin and Spc. Kevin D. Ruef � is typi-cal of the real future of Army aviation, when talented and confi-dent humans will be called upon to fly bigger and better machines.

�There�s a certain level of confidence that is required to fly theApache,� said Huffman, an aviator in the 1st Bn., 229th Avn. Reg.�You need to have confidence to do a good job. Flying the Apacheis a definite challenge.�

Huffman is a relative newcomer to the Apache, the Army�s pre-mier attack helicopter. A 1993 graduate of Duke University, shereceived her commission through ROTC and completed Army flightschool in 1994. She was one of a fortunate few chosen to pilot theApache, a complex aircraft that pushes the technological envelope.

�It is an interesting aircraft and an interesting mission,� saidHuffman, a native of Anchorage, Alaska. �You have to learn theweapons systems in addition to knowing the principles of flying.The Apache is an aerial weapons platform.�

Huffman is a gunner, the front seat occupant of the two-seathelicopter. As a commissioned officer, she serves as the air ma-neuver commander, operates the weapons systems, watches whereher craft is in relation to other aircraft and other assets. All herflight hours have been in the front seat, learning the systems andexpanding her abilities.

Keeping the aircraft flying is a two-person job, and Huffman�s�backseater� is Witlin, a pilot who has been in the Army since1993. A graduate of the University of Arizona, Witlin is the pilot-in-command, the person who actually pilots the aircraft and en-sures the safety of the helicopter and its crew.

�We both have to be aviators,� said Witlin. �The frontseaterfocuses on navigation and takes radio calls and coordinates move-ments with ground commanders. I am focused on the aircraft, itssystems and on the safety of the aircraft.�

A person not acquainted with the aircraft might be tempted toassume that Huffman had to work harder than her male counter-parts in becoming a pilot. But she is quick to mention that theApache does not discriminate according to gender.

�There is nothing about the aircraft that makes it easier forone gender or the other,� she said. �The Apache is a challenge forboth men and women.�

As far as she and her female colleagues are concerned, ques-tions of gender are not relevant in the 1st Bn., 229th Avn. Reg.

�We don�t think of ourselves as female lieutenants or femalepilots,� said Huffman. �We are simply soldiers and Army pilots.�

Both pilots are quick to mention that they are only as good asthe support they receive from the ground. Ruef is the crew chieffor Witlin�s and Huffman�s aircraft. A three-and-a-half year Armyveteran, Ruef is in charge of ensuring that the Apache is readyfor flight, a never-ending job.

�You put in a full day here, there�s no doubt about it,� saidRuef, a native of Auburn, Wash. �Not only do we have to staywith the same aircraft, (the crew chiefs) try to help everyone elseon the flightline. We all put in full days.�

Ruef performs daily maintenance on the aircraft, including adaily two-and-a-half hour maintenance check. If he misses some-thing or fails to adequately prepare the aircraft for flight, and theaircraft goes down, he takes the fall.

�I guess I would be the one who goes to jail,� said Ruef.�We don�t realize that we are actually working on an expen-

sive helicopter,� said Ruef of himself and fellow crew chiefs. �If ascrew is loose, we tighten it. If a part needs to be replaced, wereplace it. We just do our jobs.�

For Huffman, the challenge is the constant application of prin-ciples she has learned at every level of training, from ROTC toflight school to Apache training.

�It is a demanding aircraft. You never stop learning on thisaircraft,� she said.

Future of aviation

By Sgt. Steven Collins129th MPAD

1st Lt. Shannon Huffman (right) and Spc. KevinRuef, both of 1st Battalion, 229th AviationRegiment, discuss maintenance issues whilelooking over controls in the cockpit of an Apache. Photo by Sgt. Steven Collins

The TalonFriday, June 20, 1997 Page 9

CAMP DEMI � The roads (to usethe term loosely) are cut into themountainsides surrounding the

city of Vares, several hours from CampDemi. The convoy of armored HMMWVs

from Company A, Task Force 1-41, kick upa dense trail of dust, leaving the gunner inthe last vehicle looking like the abomina-ble earth man by the end of the patrol.

Mechanized infantrymen from Team B,Co. A, TF 1-41, have just begun their long,hot day. The first stop is a firing range tuckedin a hidden valley where a Federation of Bos-

nia-Herzegovina army unitis qualifying on M-60 ma-chine guns. The soldiers setup security as 2nd Lt. Rob-ert Beville, 2nd Platoon lead-er, Co. A, questions the unit�scommander, checks his pa-perwork, and ensures every-thing is in order.

�The unit using the rangenow is usually squaredaway and was a top unitduring the war,� Beville ex-plained. �They receivedweapons as part of the trainand equip program autho-rized in the GFAP (GeneralFramework Agreement forPeace). The theory is, if theSerbs and Federation areequal, they won�t fight. Sothe Federation side is au-thorized to use this range.�

Next stop; the market-place lining a deep stonecanal that runs through thecity of Vares. The lieutenant

leaves with two soldiers and his translatorwhile the rest of the team stands by. Mon-itoring local opinions is an important partof the daily mission. With the upcomingelections and ongoing Stabilization Forcesoperations, Beville explained that attitudescan change everyday. �We need to be readyand aware of what is going on. We are hereto maintain the peace, yet provide a reac-tion force if the situation gets out of hand.�

A thin, friendly boy stops by the soldiersnear the HMMWVs and helps out wash-ing headlights. Pfc. Steve Marrero said thatthe kids make the hectic schedule and longpatrols worth it. �Sometimes the adultsdon�t seem like they care, but the kids arethe hope for this country,� he said.

Before returning to Camp Demi, theFort Riley, Kan. soldiers are detoured andtasked by Co. A headquarters to set up anOE254 antenna to communicate with an-other team patrolling in the area. �We arealways concerned about force protection sowe report back to headquarters (often),�Beville said. �If one of our patrols loses con-tact, we try to reach them anyway we can.Commo is critical.�

Beville said that by conducting presencepatrols, the people realize they need to com-ply with the GFAP. �If they don�t, we�ll seethem,� he said. �Day or night, we will bearound eventually. If the cats away themice will play, but with us, the cat is al-ways around. There is a real sense of pur-pose in our patrols.�

Patrolling with purpose

By Spc. Susanne Aspley364th MPAD

Pfc. Jason Mercer,2nd Platoon,Company A, TaskForce 1-41 washesheadlights with hisnew friend in thecity of Vares.

Pfc. Thomas Johnson, gunner with 2nd Platoon, Company A, TaskForce 1-41, slams a bottle of water during the mandatory water breakon a hot and dusty patrol in the mountains surrounding Camp Demi. Photo by Spc. Susanne Aspley

Photo by Spc. Susanne Aspley

The Talon Friday, June 20, 1997Page 10

M CGOVERN BASE � It�s a155mm artillery round thatscreams through the air at well

over 500 feet per second, and it can wipeout a platoon of enemy soldiers in a split-second of utter destruction. Yet, despite itsseemingly steel invincibility, the artilleryround is helpless to the whims of theEarth�s atmosphere. It�s just a matter ofsimple physics.

�If you think about the way artilleryfires, that round spends a lot of time in theair,� said Sgt. 1st Class John C. Ruthroff.�The air could be doing a lot of differentthings to it � pushing it one way or anoth-er, slowing it down. The wind, temperatureand air pressure all have an effect on wherethat round is going to land.�

Ruthroff isn�t a physicist. He is the sec-tion chief for the field artillery meteorolog-ical section at McGovern Base. He and histeam of seven National Guardsmen are avital link in the chain of information thebig guns need to successfully put steel ontarget. Ruthroff, a Guardsman with the139th Field Artillery, Indiana, said his sec-tion�s mission basically consists of collect-ing meteorological data from the atmosphereand sending it on to the artillery fire direc-tion control, where it is then applied to theaiming process. Without such information,said Ruthroff, the high-caliber punch of thehowitzers would be diminished.

�So, especially for first-round accuracy,metro is pretty important,� he said.

Metro is short for meteorological. It�s thename of choice for the people who work it.

�It�s always been Metro,� said Spc. Car-ol S. Breit, 25, a meteorological crewmem-ber with Headquarters and HeadquartersBattery, 35th Division Artillery Meteoro-logical Team, Hutchinson, Kan. �All of ussay it, even the active-duty Army.�

Guardsmen from three states makeupthe section serving at McGovern. Workingtogether for the first time, the soldiers pro-vide daily meteorological reports for the on-site artillery. And all it takes is blowing upa large balloon and let-ting it go.

Actually, it�s not assimple as that.

�The balloon has tobe filled to a specificamount for the radiosonde (the devise at-tached to the balloonthat records the data),so it goes through thezones of atmosphere atthe prescribed time,�said Sgt. Caroline K.Rieger-Siebel, 42, HHB,35th Div. Met. Team. �You have to achieveyour rate of rise with your inflation.�

As the balloon floats through each zonein the atmosphere, the radio sonde collectsdata on wind speed, temperature, and air

pressure, which in turn is received and tab-ulated by computer back on the ground.

Rieger-Siebel said safety is a major fac-tor in their mission as well. Because of lim-ited supplies of helium, the balloons oftenhave to be filled with bottled hydrogen,which is highly flammable (i.e., the Hin-denburg). �You ground yourself, you groundyour equipment, and make sure there�s no

air in theballoon,� shesaid.

T h ewhole opera-tion, whilecomplex andpotentiallydangerous,is consideredroutine bythe Guards-men. Be-cause of this,said Rieger-

Siebel, they are amused when other sol-diers at McGovern request to launch the bal-loon. She said they have had everyone frominfantrymen and officers to interpreterscome for the �thrill� of letting a balloon go.

�Captain Hamilton (artillery command-er at McGovern) got a big charge out of itthe other day,� said Rieger-Siebert. We toldhim what time we would be flying, so hecame out and got to release the balloon, andas soon as he did, he said, �Man, that�s cool!��

�I learned a lot from them,� said Capt.David M. Hamilton, commander, BatteryA, 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery. �Theywalked me through each step in launchingthe balloon. I was really impressed.�

Hamilton, whose howitzers the metrosection supports, said the National Guards-men are well-trained and organized, andcontributed equally to the U.S. Army mis-sion in Bosnia-Herzegovina. �They are verydependable,� he said. �You can count onthem to do their job.�

But only for a few more weeks. With itsmandated 270-day limit nearing, theGuardsmen are scheduled to depart Bosnia-Herzegovina in a few weeks after a deploy-ment that started last year in November.

�I feel we did our job here and did it well,�said Spc. Charles E. Odell, 24. �We weren�tpeople just taking up space; there obvious-ly was a need for us here. What we did re-ally helped and that makes me feel happythat I was here.�

By Spc. David Boe364th MPAD Doing

thejob

�We weren�t people justtaking up space; thereobviously was a need for ushere. What we did reallyhelped and that makes mefeel happy that I was here.�---- Spc. Charles E. Odell

Spc. Jose A. Martinez, 49thArmored Division Artillery,prepares a weather balloonthat will be released into theatmosphere to record datafor artillery operations.

Photo by Spc. David Boe

The TalonFriday, June 20, 1997 Page 11

Turtles in the Box featuring Muddy and Dusty by Capt. Peter J. Buotte

When it comes time to pack up and re-deploy, or when a spe-cial occasion is near, many soldiers like to find little gifts to re-member the mission by or to give to loved ones.

Soldiers should think twice about what they send through themail. Before sealing, stamping and addressing that package theyshould ask themselves two questions; Can anything in this pack-age be considered contraband? Is anything in the packagewhich violates General Order number 1?

General Order number 1 prohib-its;

Taking, possessing or shippingfor personal use captured weapons.

Introduction, possession, use,sale, transfer, manufacture orconsumption of any alcoholicbeverage.

Possessing, touching,or knowingly approach-ing without legal au-thority any unexplodedmunitions or ordinance.

Purchase possession,use, sale or introductionof privately-owned fire-arms, ammunition and ex-plosives.

Removing, possessing,selling, transferring, defac-ing, or destroying archeo-logical artifacts or nationaltreasures.

Before they are sent outof country, all packages areput through an X-ray ma-chine to determine whetheror not any object inside is con-traband.

�We have the machine to enforce General Order number 1,�said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brad R. Walker, 401st Expedition Area

Air Base Group. �It usually identifies someone that is mailingwar souvenirs or alcohol. It can show us everything in the pack-age, even the boot laces on a pair of boots.�

The X-ray machine is basically the same as the one used inmost airports, with a video screen that shows the outline of thecontents in the package, and a metal detector that sounds whenset off.

�Some soldiers may not realize they aredoing wrong, like that all knives must

be sheathed when sent through themail, but most of the time they knowwhat they are doing,� Walker said.�When something is not stated on thecustoms form, they know they aremailing it. We have caught some pret-ty wild stuff that (people) have beentrying to send through.�

When mailing any package sol-diers must fill out a customs form andsign it. The package then is sentthrough the X-ray machine and ifsomething odd is identified, personnelcheck the customs claim. If the objectin question is not identified on the cus-toms form, the package is then confis-cated and paper work is done to docu-ment that contraband has been identi-fied. Postal workers then turn the pack-age over to CID to be investigated.

Soldiers found violating this orderare subject to punishment under theUniform Code of Military Justice forviolating a general lawful order.

�Even if it just looks like somethingthat may be a war souvenir, then wehave to confiscate it,� Walker said.�People just don�t think that they aregoing to be caught. Just because theyweren�t told that every package is

checked they think it will get through. We can see everything,nothing gets through. They do know about General Order num-ber 1, they should just follow it.�

Contraband? Think twicePfc. Wendy R. Tokach129th MPAD

Sgt McClellan is one of the mostsporting EOD specialists.

He uses mines as tees!

The Talon Friday, June 20, 1997Page 12

sound the fire alarm bell in the middle ofthe tent. There�s no pole to shimmy down,but the firefighters will be suited up andon the firetruck housed next door in min-utes. In fact, they can be at a tent fire with-in the camp in three minutes.

�All of the team is never really off at anygiven time,� said Sgt. James Fields assis-tant fire chief, �and if we get that call we�llknow what to do.�

Such a call did alert the team at 6:45a.m., May 26, when a Bradley FightingVehicle caught fire near Camp Bedrock.Morell was already awake and took the call.�That one pumped us up. My heart startedracing,� said Morell, firefighter, �and weswung into action.�

Leaving Fields behind to monitor theradio and phone, Morell, Cpl. Jerome Fr-yar, and Sgt. Rickie Sabb were at the sitein a record time of 12 minutes.

�You couldn�t ask for a better time,� saidSabb, Camp Comanche fire chief. �That�swith a two-vehicle convoy.�

When going into a firefighting action,each member has a special role, althoughall the firefighters are trained to drive andoperate the firetruck. Sabb, riding with thedriver, coordinates and supervises the ac-

tion. Fryar operates the firetruck pump,Morell clears the hose, and Fields stays withthe phone, keeping communications open.

�Team� appropriately applies to thesesoldiers. �It�s like we can read each other�sminds,� said Sabb. �We all look out for eachother and check each other�s equipment. IfI drop a glove, one of my teammates willpick it up.� The members of Sabb�s teamare Fields, Mo-rell, and Fryar,who�s in chargeof mainte-nance.

As Guardmembers eachsoldier has acivilian career.Sabb is a SouthCarolina statetrooper, Morellis a SouthCarolina De-partment ofTransportation employee, and Fields andFryar are security guards.

The Comanche team has two 2500Lfiretrucks that function as crash-rescuevehicles as well as firefighting trucks. Each

has a 660 gallon water and 72 gallon foamcapacity that can be dispersed on the go,�pump and roll.� They are front and reardrive capable with roof and bumper turrets.The firefighters can get water support to aheight of approximately 15 stories.

�We perform continuous preventativemaintenance on these vehicles. They haveto be ready to go anytime just like us,� saidFields. �They�re good-running trucks.�

The team�s primary responsibility is fireprevention and control on the Camp Co-manche flightline. �If an aircraft radios thetower with an emergency, the tower willradio us on a direct line,� said Sabb. Theteam will put on its �bunker� gear (pants,jacket, boots, and air packs), and have thefiretruck at the site within three minutes.�We conduct drills regularly to keep thattime to a minimum,� said Morell.

�Knowing these guys are available foremergencies gives us piece of mind,� saidChief Warrant Officer Art Payton, mainte-nance test pilot, Company B, 1st Battal-ion, 229th Aviation Regiment.

The camp area is another priority. �Be-sides being ready to put out fires, we per-form a variety of fire prevention duties,�said Sabb.

Should a fuel spill occur on the flight-line, they will assist aviation personnel andBrown & Root with the cleanup. �If a firenever starts, we won�t have to worry aboutputting it out. A fuel spill is a potential firehazard,� said Sabb. �We would insure thefuel supply is cut off and contain the fuel soit�s not an environmental hazard as well.�

Master Sgt. Earnest Jones, Camp Com-manche mayor, relies on the team to assistwith his fire prevention program. �They doweekly tent inspections and note any prob-lems, which I pass on to commanders sowe can get them corrected,� said Jones.�Doing my job well would be impossiblewithout the 264th here.�

�We work closely with the mayor,� saidSabb. �We check the tents to make surematerial isn�t hung up that shouldn�t be andthere�s at least four feet of walkway throughtents. Since a tent can burn in two to threeminutes, you don�t want anything in the way

if you need to getout fast,� Once amonth the team co-ordinates day andnight fire drills tofine-tune reactionand readiness tofire hazards forCamp Comanchesoldiers.

�I hope everyday is quiet here,�said Fields. Otherthan the call toCamp Bedrock,

the 264th firefighting team at Camp Co-manche has not had to respond to an emer-gency. They hope their deployment staysthat way with personnel continuing to besafe and equipment undamaged.

READYfrom page 1

�It�s like we can read eachother�s minds. We all look outfor each other and check eachother�s equipment. If I drop aglove, one of my teammateswill pick it up.�---- Sgt. Rickie Sabb

Spc. Timothy Morell,firefigher at CampComanche, gets readyfor a fire drill on theflightline.

Photo by Sgt. Steven Collins