TROOP / PACK 53

Jan, a friend of mine from college, asked if I would fly a flag from the Boy Scout troop that she sponsors. Here is the picture I’ll am placing on their certificate. I plan to send the flag to them before the end of the week!

Blog Entry

Our unit held a little Christmas party on Dec 27 during a maintenance stand down day. The event ran about 2-4 hours depending on how long you wanted to stick around and had games, raffles, food, and secret Santa. All in all I believe the moral of the company to be doing very well. Some have already gone and returned back from leave; not that I’m counting down or anything 13 weeks, 93 days, 2,253 hours, and 135,220 until it’s my turn to see my wife! I’ve been flying pretty steady since being over here with November being my high month with 51.8 hours. Hopefully the more people on leave equates to the more flight time for me! J The past few days the weather has been dropping below 32 degree’s so we have started to dawn our cold weather gear (coats, gloves, and boonies). Luckily we haven’t received any rain since being over here but we are in the rainy season and am not looking forward to that day at all. There are a few of us that do this blog thing for our family and friends back home. David Lyons I would to say is a good friend of mine and wouldn't mind me sharing his link to his blog for more added pictures and references please visit (http://david-onceagain.blogspot.com/) If anyone has suggestions/questions, please feel free to email me and if I’m able I will try to add it to the site or at least respond to the question. Until that time, I wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Acknowledgment

1SG Hull is presenting some gifts of appreciation to SGT Daniels and SFC McKean for all the personal time they gave in setting up the Christmas party and coordinating all the decorations.

Christmas Party

I wanted to send a warm thanks to all the people out there that donated the food, seasonal decorations, cards, drink mix, condiments, etc. The event couldn’t have happened without all your participation.

Christmas Party

Thanks to the artistic talents of SSG Reed and SFC McKeen's; soldiers were able to send home some fun pictures of themselves as elf’s on Santa’s lap next to a tree of Christmas gifts.

Grilling in Iraq

With the news of ribs being donated by the chow hall SFC Moore and SPC Flourney stepped up for the challenge of making the barbeque sauce, preparing the ribs, and cooking them.

Grilling in Iraq continued

Even though the ribs, hamburgers, hotdogs, sodas, and near bear were donated from the chow hall; having the grill going and just the atmosphere along with it brought back some good memories of home. This is a picture of SFC Kidd grilling them up for us.

New Addition

Picture of the Happy Father
Congratulations Richard and Jessica Long
Nikkoli Aaron Long was born 27 December 2007
at 10:23 P.M. Alaskan Standard Time
Weighing 9 lbs 15.8 Ounces and 20" Long

Merry Christmas

The "SurgarBear Family" sends their love and wish all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Christmas Season is Here

Last year Scarlett let me pick out the Christmas tree and the decorations. Well come to find out, who would have thought she doesn’t like a white tree and blue ornaments. Well to make a long story short, I now have a nice white Christmas tree in my office. These gentlemen all helped decorate the office with everything that has been sent to us.

Another Day

Another reason the Chinook is just an amazing aircraft. I don’t know how the crewmembers do it but you keep asking them if they have room and they always do.

Desert

Normally when I fly a mission I try to make it a habit to take my camera with me. Here is a pretty picture of the desert in all its beauty.

AnySoldier.Com

A few friends had me look into a web site called AnySoldier.com after doing so added myself as a contact for my company. Within 7 days we received our first box which totally took me by surprise. I made sure to get a picture before everything was taken. Thank you, Heather. From the "SugarBears"

Passsenger Drop-Off

The Chinook is capable of carrying 33 fully equipped ground troops. This is pretty much what it looks like when we drop off pax at one of our LZ's (Landing Zones).

Privately Owned Mosque

A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. Muslims often refer to the mosque by its Arabic name, masjid Arabic: مسجد — pronounced [ˈmæsʤɪd] (pl. masajid Arabic: مساجد — /mæˈsæːʤɪd/). The word "mosque" in English refers to all types of buildings dedicated for Islamic worship, although there is a distinction in Arabic between the smaller, privately owned mosque and the larger, "collective" mosque (masjid jami) (Arabic: جامع), which has more community and social amenities.
The primary purpose of the mosque is to serve as a place where Muslims can come together for prayer. Nevertheless, mosques are known around the world nowadays for their general importance to the Muslim community as well as their demonstration of Islamic architecture. They have developed significantly from the open-air spaces that were the Quba Mosque and Masjid al-Nabawi in the seventh century. Today, most mosques have elaborate domes, minarets, and prayer halls. Mosques originated on the Arabian Peninsula, but now exist on all the world's inhabited continents. They are not only places for worship and prayer, but also places to learn about Islam and meet fellow believers.

Mission Complete

Once a mission is complete we have to fill out two books, one electronic and one paper copy with all the flight information of the day. CW4 Henderson is doing just that while sitting in the ramp gunners chair.

Halloween Carvings

For fun one of the sergeants brought eight plastic pumpkins for different shops to carve. Don't know what anyone won or if it was just a pride thing; but was still nice to see during the holiday.

USO Supporters

The cheerleaders from the Dallas Cowboys showed their support by visiting the troops. They even stopped by were we worked to get a few photo's next to the Chinooks.

Final Product

After five minutes of work, the finished product; 8,000 pounds worth of well needed fuel or water ready for delivery.

Hook up personnel

This is the best my guys could do on showing what it looks like through the hole. You can see a Marine on the load underneath the helicopter handing or hooking the load on the clevis. Keep in mind that the Chinook is only 10-15 feet off the ground. Also, the Chinook can generate up to 40,000 volts of static electricity so there are at least one other personnel on the ground with a grounding pole. This pole takes the static electricity from the helicopter and sends it to the ground instead of our troop’s bodies.

The Third set of eyes

This is a picture taken by one of the door gunners. The ramp gunner is in the hole directing the pilots up front. Here are a few things the pilot may hear: Hold your forward, hold your left, hold your right, come back 2 feet for me sir, clevis in hand, load on the hook, come up 15 feet sir, slings are tight, load is off the ground 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, load is clear for flight)

The Hook Up

Once the dust has settled considerabley, I'm directed of the the external load by three crewmembers. Left Gunner, Right Gunner, and the Ramp gunner has began to get in the Cargo Hook Loading Hole. As a team, the Gunners set the aircraft up and make sure that I do not get to close to the personnel on the ground that his holding or placing the cling on the clevis.

Preparing to pick up an external load

Here is a picture of me getting set up to pick up a 8,000 pound fuel blivet. You have to keep in mind that the Chinook flying weighs about 30,000 pounds so she has to produce that much wind to keep her at a hover. Let’s just say, after 2-3 minutes of hovering in the same spot the area is cleared of most of the dust.

Ramp Gunner

A picture of my ramp gunner (SSG Weber), if you look at the picture below you can also see him on the ramp from the other aircraft

Just flying along

The crew from the other aircraft was kind enough to take my aircrafts picture on one of my day missions.

Finished Mission

Once the mission is finished I get the crew together for the picture.

Inside of a Chinook with the seats down

When I fly a flag we place the flag inside the chinook and tie it up on the ceiling. Once finished I get everyone together to hold the flag to add the picture to the certificate.

Day Pictures

Another picture of a town we flew next to during my day mission. Really lets you know how good you have it back home!

Day Mission

Flew about 7 hours and had my door gunners take pictures along the route. Sometime you can be flying by and wonder why in the world you would build something in the middle of nowhere. Times you think how people can live in this kind of environment. Then your flying a long with nothing to see for days and then there is a little city below you.

SSG Stanley Brian Reynolds

Born 18 July 1970. He answered the call to serve his country when he enlisted in the United States Army in March 2002. Staff Sergeant Reynolds attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and was assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska as a 15B Aircraft Power plant repairer. SSG Reynolds deployed with Bravo Company, 4-123rd Aviation Regiment in January 2005 to Balad South East Airbase in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. Upon his return, he was assigned to Delta Company, 123rd Aviation Regiment, in November 2006. In March of 2007, SSG Reynolds was reassigned to Bravo Company, 1-52 Aviation Regiment, Task Force Dragon. He is a Warrior Leaders Course (WLC) graduate. His awards include, the Army Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Ribbon. Staff Sergeant Reynolds is survived by his wife, Jill, children, Kaytelyn, Kristan and Emily. Stanley Reynolds was a patriot, Soldier, husband, father and friend. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him

SPC Steven Roy Jewell

Steven Roy Jewell was Born 26 March 1981. He answered the call to serve his country when he enlisted in the United States Army in August 2005. Specialist Jewell attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Upon completion of basic training, he attended advanced individual training (AIT) at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he completed the 15U, Medium Helicopter Repairer Course and was then assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska as his first duty station. Upon arriving at Fort Wainwright, he was assigned to Delta Company, 1-52nd Aviation Regiment as a Maintenance Phase Team Member. After a short time in maintenance, he volunteered to become a CH-47D Door Gunner for the unit’s OIF deployment. SPC Jewell was reassigned to Bravo Company, 1-52nd Aviation Regiment, 1st flight platoon, where he began his training to become a Door Gunner, and his ultimate goal of Flight Engineer. SPC Jewell logged approximately 50 flight hours, 26 of which were Imminent Danger/Combat hours. His awards include the Navy Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. Specialist Jewell is survived by his wife Lisa and son William. Steven Jewell was a patriot, Soldier, husband, father and friend. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

SSG Sean Paul Fisher

Born 28 September 1977. He answered the call to serve his country when he enlisted in the United States Army in June 2002. Staff Sergeant Fisher attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Upon completion of basic training he attended advanced individual training (AIT) at Fort Eustis, Virginia where he completed the 15U, Medium Helicopter Repairer Course and was then assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska as his first duty station. Upon arriving at Fort Wainwright, he was assigned to Bravo Company, 4-123rd Aviation Regiment as a Maintenance Phase Team Member. After a short time in maintenance, he was assigned to 1st flight platoon where he began his training to become a CH-47D Crewchief. In January, 2005 SSG Fisher deployed with Bravo Company to Balad South East Airbase where he became a Flight Engineer and logged over 450 combat flight hours during his tour. He is a Warrior Leaders Course (WLC) graduate. His awards include, the Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Ribbon. His badges include the Combat Action Badge and the Basic Aviation Badge. Staff Sergeant Fisher is survived by his mother Maria, father Walter and daughter Bailey. Sean Fisher was a patriot, Soldier, father and friend. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

CW2 Christopher Charles Johnson

Born 27 November 1975. He answered the call to serve his country when he enlisted in the United States military in August of 1995. CW2 Johnson attended the United States Marine Corp Basic Training and School of Infantry at Paris Island, South Carolina, and served as a USMC Reservist for three years. He transferred branches into the United States Army and was sent to Fort Campbell, Kentucky for his first assignment as an 11B Infantryman. CW2 Johnson attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was a first time selection into the Special Forces, focusing on Demolitions. He attended and excelled in such courses as the Special Forces Qualification Course, Air Assault, Airborne and Master Breacher, among other difficult and challenging schools. He served over five years with 1st Special Forces Group out of Fort Lewis, Washington, traveling and instructing indigenous people in Thailand, The Philippines, Japan, and Australia. As an enlisted Soldier, he earned the rank of Sergeant First Class. In August of 2004, CW2 Johnson attended Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, Alabama. After completing the six week course, he began Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training, eventually earning a rating in his primary aircraft, the CH-47D Chinook. In January of 2006, upon graduation from flight school, CW2 Johnson was assigned to the Sugar Bears of Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He is a graduate of the Aviation Warrant Officer Basic Course, CH-47D Aircraft Qualification Course, Warrant Officer Candidate School, Aviation Life Support Equipment Training, and Special Forces Qualification Course. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (4), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon and Army Service Ribbon. His badges include the Aviation Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Airborne Badge. CW2 Johnson is survived by his wife Vivian and children Victoria, Jonathan, and Dylan. Chris Johnson was a great patriot, pilot, Soldier, husband, father, and friend. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

CW2 Jackie Lewis McFarlane Jr.

Born 29 August 1976. He answered the call to serve his country when he enlisted in the United States Army in August of 1994. CW2 McFarlane attended Army Infantry Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served as an Infantryman for three years at Fort Carson, Colorado before reclassifying as an AH-64 Apache Crewchief. He served as an Apache Crewchief in Germany, Kosovo and Bosnia before being selected to attend the Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, Alabama. As an enlisted Soldier, he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. In March of 2002, CW2 McFarlane graduated Warrant Officer Candidate School and entered Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training, eventually earning a rating in his primary aircraft, the CH-47D Chinook. Upon graduating flight school in May of 2003, CW2 McFarlane was assigned to 159th Aviation Regiment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Under the 159th Aviation Regiment, he deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq. In July of 2006, CW2 McFarlane was reassigned to the Sugar Bears of Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He is a graduate of the CH-47D Maintenance Test Pilot Course, CH-47D Maintenance Managers Course, Aviation Warrant Officer Basic Course, CH-47D Aircraft Qualification Course, Warrant Officer Candidate School, and Aviation Life Support Equipment Training. His awards include the Air Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (3), Navy Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2), Army Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal (2), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3), and a NATO Medal. His badges include the Aviation Badge and Expert Infantryman Badge. CW2 McFarlane is survived by his wife Shanaye, and children Janee and Joshua. Jackie McFarlane was a great patriot, pilot, Soldier, husband, father, minister, mentor, and friend. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

TheyCallMeStick

Shall I say more... Mr. Crabtrey heading out to one of the birds to begin his night mission.

Master Card Commercial

1 Building in the middle of nowhere (no door)

3 Platoon Sergeants bored out of there mind

Someone with a camera - priceless

Governor Sarah Palin

Once finished putting the aircraft back together from shipping them from Alaska to Kuwait. The unit arrived in Udari, a small post were we get prepared to go to Iraq. Mid way through the transition Alaska’s Governor Sarah Palin stopped by to see how we were doing. Very nice person all in all and enjoyed her visit. Why does it always seem I’m the one taking the picture? So far while in country I’ve seen, Governor Palin, The Cowboys Cheerleaders, and Chuck Norris.

A Beautiful Monday Morning

This was a picture a soldier took right before our day flights began.

Flying American Flags

Last year I began flying American Flags. What happens on a typical flight is before the mission begins we take the picture of us holding the flag next to the aircrafts name. Once the picture is taken we hang the flag on the ceiling in the middle of the aircraft throughout the whole flight. After the mission, we fold the flag, I make a certificate with the picture taken, and the names of all the crew on the aircraft that took part in the flight. I wish that I could include more details on the mission and what actually took place but that's just not possible. I've always enjoy flying America Flags. Last tour I flew 52 and hope that this 15 months I'll fly even more. So far I'm up to 8 Flags Flown and will continue to fly them until I leave or am told not to. The personel in the picture from top left to right: Richard Savoy AMC/PC, Matthew Doubrava MO, Tony Graham PI, Middle- Maximillian Lavzinski OR , Robert Brazell CE, Bottom-Our Aircraft FE Brian Winsor

S6 & Commo Offfice

This is a picture of my office / cubby hole / pit. Here I have three IMO's (Information Management Officers / Commo Officers) that work here. The three that I have mentioned are usually the one's doing all the work since my primary job is to fly. We take care of all Computer needs as well as all Communication needs. (I.E: loading all aircraft radios, office radios, setting up all computers, managing computers, fixing computers, etc…) SGT Cruz is one of my night shift guys and is just getting ready to finish his day.

Ground Hog Day

Everyday we get together at 6 P.M. as a flight platoon and receive information on what will be happening for that day. Be it maintenance on an aircraft, aircraft issues, promotions, awards, so forth. Not much going on this day but thought it would be something to take a picture of.

My Room

A few pictures of the way my room is layed out. I've had to put my bed on 4 foot stilts and add a wooden desk under it with all the computer stuff needed to run my current internet set-up. My total space after splitting everything in half with my roomate is 7' by 9' all in all I'm looking at 4' by 7'. Really it isn't as bad as it seems, I have added a few new things to my area encluding a hand made books shelf. Glad that I went to that 3 week course in North Dakota as a Carpentar. I remember the day I returned from the course, I told dad I was 3rd in my class. Ofcoarse he had to ask me how many was in the course. I'll keep that between the both of us.