Summer 2016 1

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE 79TH SUSTAINMENT SUPPORT COMMAND

79th SSC Best Warrior Competition

page 16

Summer 2016

TRAINED, READY, COHESIVE, WELL-LED

SUSTAINMENT UNITS FOR WORLD-WIDE DEPLOYMENT

FalcoN

The
2 The Falcon Summer 2016 3

79TH SSC Command Team

Commanding General

Maj. Gen. Mark W. Palzer

Command Chief Warrant Officer

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael A. Hanten

TheFalcon Contents

Two Star Notes

Ready for tomorrow’s missions, today

By Maj. Gen. Mark W. Palzer

4

CSM On Point

Staying Ready

By Command Sgt. Maj. Ted L. Copeland

6

Command Executive Officer Report

By Mr. Gregory Hinton 

7

Equal Opportunity

Promoting dignity and respect in an operational force

9

The Adjutant General–G1

The Army’s Human Resources Professionals 

10

The Inspector General

Serving as an IG Soldier: A Career Opportunity

By Sgt. 1st Class Martha C. Leone 

12

SHARP PROGRAM

ELITE Command Team Trainer

By Ms. Maurnike Stevenson

Deputy Commanding General

Brig. Gen. Kurt A. Hardin

79TH SSC Public Affairs Office - 562-936-7660 - www.facebook.com/79ssc

Public Affairs Officer

Lt. Col. Bettina K. Avent

Public Affairs Chief

Sgt. 1st Class James K. Lilly

Incoming Public Affairs Chief

Sgt. 1st Class Alexandra Hays

The Falcon, a U.S. Department of Defense publication, is published biannually by the 79th Sustainment Command (Support) Public Affairs Office located at 4201 Saratoga Ave., Los Alamitos, CA 90720-5170. In accordance with DoD Instruction 5120.4, this DoD magazine is an authorized publication for the members of the U.S. military. Contents of The Falcon are not necessarily the official view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government or DoD.

4th ESC Highlights 24 - 29

Cover photo by: Sgt. 1st Class James Lilly

79th SSC Public Affairs Chief

311th ESC Highlights 30 - 35

364th ESC Highlights 36 - 45

451st ESC Highlights 46 - 51

Choose Life 

The Soldier Leader Risk Reduction Tool

 By Mr. Peter Dubinin 

14

Command Executive Officer 

Mr. Gregory T. Hinton

Spiritual Fitness

Spiritual Reflections on Anakonda 16

8

Ask JAG–The Judge Advocate General 

Power of attorney basics

By Col. Phillip N. Foster

11

79th SSC Best Warrior Competition

By Sgt. 1st Class James Lilly

16

By Lt. Col. Mark A. Ned

BY MS. VERONICA MARTINEZ

BY CHAPLAIN (LT. COL.) TIMOTHY BOHR

90th Sustainment Brigade Remembers D-Day 20

By Sgt. 1st Class James Lilly

13

incoming Deputy Commanding General

Brig. Gen. Susan E. Henderson

Command Sergeant Major

Command Sgt. Maj. Ted L. Copeland
4 The Falcon Summer 2016 5

Two Star Notes:

79th in transition:

The 79th Sustainment Support Command 

will formally inactivate in September 2017. 

Subsequently, our proud command will 

activate as the 79th Theater Sustainment 

Command.

 As the second largest command in the 

U.S. Army Reserve, the 79th is directly

involved in preparing and supporting 

America’s fighting forces for an operational 

future. The Army Reserve is an integrated 

and invaluable part of the total force alongside the Active Component Army, National 

Guard, and the other services to 

accomplish our National goals. But 

tomorrow’s missions are not the missions 

of yesterday. 

 In this evolution of our command, we 

will regionally align with U.S. Africa 

Command, and operationally as part of 

U.S. Army, Africa. Our organization must 

lead the way as we transform by 

continually increasing our capability, 

capacity, and readiness. We must prepare 

By Maj. Gen. Mark W. Palzer

79th Sustainment Command (Support)

Commanding General

“I need all of you to recognize the critical nature of the sustainment 

mission in support of all theaters around the globe.”

“To Do For Country,

 Falcon Strong!”

Regional Partnerships

Ready for tomorrow’s missions, today

to operate in various environments under 

austere conditions. The Army Reserve 

provides an irreplaceable form of 

continuity, while the active forces in support 

of U.S. Army Africa transition Soldiers and 

leaders every two to four years. Therefore, 

developing our Soldiers toward long term 

engagement within the continent of Africa 

is crucial. Consider that the lieutenants and 

staff sergeants leading training missions on 

the continent today will become the 

company commanders and first sergeants 

leading relief operations there in the future. 

 

 Our sustainment forces provide 

capabilities that exist primarily in the Army 

Reserve. Because of this, and with the 

realignment of our command, we will see 

career and geographically-aligned 

relationships, talent, and skill sets being 

grown from within our ranks. 

 Our nation remains engaged in 

continuous operations overseas. 

Concurrently, we can expect reduced 

funding. However, while our finances may 

be limited, our Soldiers’ talent is 

limitless. We must tap into the strengths of 

our Citizen-Soldiers more than ever before 

to support the total force. I need all of you 

to recognize our critical sustainment 

mission significance in support of missions 

around the globe. 

 This means that all of us must remain 

focused on readiness as never before. We 

see continuous engagement opportunities 

for Soldiers and Annual Training 

missions in Africa and in Europe. Get ready 

to support missions across the globe and 

remain ready. Leaders and 

noncommissioned officers teach, coach, 

and mentor, not only your subordinates, but 

your officer leadership. We all have a 

responsibility for life-long learning. We 

must be ready for the missions ahead, and 

that means lifting each other up and 

maintaining the Army Team. 

 In any mission, logistics is one of the 

single-greatest drivers of operational 

success. The need for the 79th TSC to own 

Remaining Ready 

Legacy Leadership 

that logistics requirement is vital. 

Our recent trips to Africa have 

enlightened our team about the role of 

the Army National Guard and the State 

Partnership Program - with this program, 

there is an opportunity to develop 

regional partnership by collaboration with 

these National Guard units and to 

leverage their long developed 

relationships with our allies and to assist 

individual African nations to develop skill 

sets within their forces. 

 

 

 It remains a great time to serve as 

“Twice the Citizen” within the Army 

Reserve and it is an honor to serve with 

you in the 79th as we expand our mission 

and focus our readiness toward routine 

operational missions. Help me to grow 

the force by focusing on the 

developing, training, retaining, and 

sustaining an Army Reserve ready for the 

missions of tomorrow, today.
6 The Falcon Summer 2016 7

Staying Ready

By Command Sgt. Maj. Ted L. Copeland

I wish every Soldier, Civilian and 

Family member a safe and happy 

autumn. As you enjoy this time 

of year with family and friends 

keep safety a priority in all you 

do. Each and every one of you are 

part of the 79th 

Sustainment Command 

(Support) family and the 

commander and I care for each 

one of you.

 As I have written in the last 

two Falcon articles, Soldiers have 

a personal responsibility to 

manage their careers and meet all 

requirements expected of them 

by the Army, with oversight from 

their first line supervisors. As 

the Army Reserve continues its 

efforts as an operational force, 

commitments and 

requirements will increase, 

necessitating units that are fully 

trained and equipped to deploy 

for contingency operations. This 

places even more of a premium 

on Soldiers to meet all readiness 

expectations and to be fully 

qualified in their duty positions. 

Now as the summer annual 

training time frame is complete, 

it is time to refocus ourselves 

from unit collective training back 

to individual training, preparing 

for the next training cycle. What 

does this mean? Each and every 

Soldier has an individual 

training responsibility as we 

move through the end of this 

training year and into 2017. It is 

vital that every Soldier 

COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR ON POINT

pursue the highest level of individual readiness possible, including 

completing mandatory training and 

the next level of professional military 

education. Even training that may seem 

mundane or repetitive can make a big 

difference when it comes to staying 

ready for deployment. The time to 

prepare for deployment isn’t the moment deployment orders are issued; the 

time is now. 

 The past eight months have been a 

busy time for the Soldiers of the 79th 

SSC and our performance as a command has been stellar. I want to personally thank all of you for your efforts 

and sacrifice in pushing the 79th to be 

a better organization. Our work isn’t 

done, but we are moving in the right 

direction. Keep up the great work; stay 

ready! 

“Falcon Strong!” Falcon 7

As the 79th Sustainment Command (Support) is 

called upon as a vital part of the Army Reserve for 

sustainment missions around the globe, we must 

be agile, innovative, and resilient to adapt. Current 

operations have reinforced the need to balance the 

technological focus of modernization of our unit and 

equipment with an emphasis on the human, cultural, 

and political continuities of missions. The nature of 

this strategic environment requires our Soldiers, Civilians, and teams to possess more nuanced and diverse 

knowledge, skills, and behaviors than ever before. As 

the 79th Sustainment Command (Support) Headquarters transitions to a Theater Sustainment Command, 

we will require and acquire enhanced capabilities in 

the cognitive, physical, and social components of the 

human dimension and must optimize the performance of each Soldier, Civilian, and team. With our 

revised structure, we will have minimal manpower 

increases, and a limited budget to effect the required 

transformation; generally, the transformation will be 

idea-based. 

 We will innovate and deviate from the way we 

have “always done things” to meet the challenges of a 

rapidly changing and uncertain future. Going forward, 

we know the Nation expects Army Professionals to 

adhere to the highest standards of conduct, ensuring 

ethical and disciplined application of our efforts. We 

will live the Army Ethic and be professionals of character who are competent and committed.

 The future mission dictates the use of decentralized 

operations in complex environments. Our professionals have to think broadly about the nature of missions 

and the larger context in which we operate. We will 

think critically, developing creative solutions to complex problems. We will fully utilize our Analytic Cost 

Experts within the 79th SSC to streamline processes 

and develop cost efficiencies. We will also train our 

leaders to think globally, leverage cross-cultural expertise to operate among populations, support regional 

security, and be interoperable with other military 

services, government agencies, and partner nations as 

we move closer to becoming a Theater Sustainment 

Command. 

 We will continue to empower our adaptive leaders 

and cohesive teams, and encourage them to exhibit 

exceptional resilience. We will optimize the human 

performance of every Soldier and Civilian in the 79th 

Sustainment Command (Support), transforming the 

way we view our force. Going forward, we will not 

manage “personnel,” we will manage “TALENT.”

 Talent Management is a more holistic approach to 

recruiting, hiring, developing, employing, and retaining high quality, motivated people. We will identify 

and catalog the talents of our current force, and analyze our future needs to identify the “gaps” we need to 

fill through a more focused pipeline. This applies to 

Soldiers, Civilians, and every Army Reserve Professional. As we build better teams comprised of the right 

individuals with the right talents, we will continue to 

improve the organization.

 This effort requires an integrated and enterprise 

approach. With the proper authorities, oversight, and 

accountability, a Talent Management approach will 

ensure unity of effort and inform resource allocation 

and decisions. A coordinated effort will ensure we 

build cohesive teams of Soldiers and Civilians who can 

produce solutions to complex human problems that 

are ethically right, tactically sound, and strategically 

appropriate. 

 The path to get there includes implementing enhanced talent management down to the individual 

team member, so the right person receives the right 

career assignment (to include training and education) 

at the right time. Talent Management is not a onesize-fits all concept. We need every member of our 

team to be ready to step in to fill a gap, to be agile and 

resilient, and to ensure our efforts are relevant. 

Mr. Gregory Hinton

79th SSC Command Executive Officer

Command Executive Officer Report
8 The Falcon Summer 2016 9

Spiritual Fitness

Chaplain (Lt. Col.)Timothy Bohr

364th ESC Command Chaplain

Spiritual Reflections on Anakonda 16–a Joint Effort

The 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), 

a direct subordinate unit of the 79th Sustainment 

Command (Support), participated in Anakonda 

2016, a multi-component, multi-service, and 

multi-national military training exercise in Poland 

throughout May and June 2016. Probably the most 

significant initiative achieved from a religious support perspective was the integration of Polish and 

American military clergy. In Sczechien, Poland, the 

230th Sustainment Brigade’s (a Tennessee National 

Guard unit) Chaplain coordinated to give a joint 

Catholic mass with the Polish Chaplain assigned 

to the military base where the 230th SB had set 

up its headquarters. Almost 30 Soldiers attended 

the translated service. In Warsaw, the Polish Army 

Chaplain offered his Catholic Mass with the 30th 

Medical Brigade Chaplain. Two generals (Polish and 

American) attended the service. These jointly-practiced religious services were a profound statement 

of solidarity between American military forces and 

our Polish military hosts. With the host nation being 90 percent Catholic in practice, the presence of 

Army Chaplains who could integrate with the Polish 

Army Chaplains was a significant enhancement to 

the successful operation.

 For a number of the units, the exercise also 

coincided with the observance of Memorial Day, a 

suitable reminder of our legacy as Soldiers. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Timothy Bohr and his team initiated a 

Memorial Day Service that took place in the Polish 

dining facility and featured musical numbers by Soldiers from the 30th Medical Brigade and a keynote 

address by the 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Staff Judge Advocate, Lt. Col. Robert 

Webb—almost 50 personnel attended the service. 

The 16th Sustainment Brigade Chaplain Team created a hand-made wreath that they placed at the 

foot of a memorial display as part of the ceremony.

 With units spread throughout Poland, the coordination of religious support relied heavily on 

establishing effective lines of communication with 

the other Religious Support Teams (RSTs) assigned 

to the 364th ESC’s subordinate units during the 

exercise. A highlight of the mission was the opportunity for Chaplain Bohr to visit some of the unit 

locations along with Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas 

P. Brashears, 364th ESC. The visit provided the 

necessary situational awareness of the challenges 

and successes of the RSTs serving in their assigned 

locations. Chaplains and religious affairs specialists 

took the initiative to provide creative and meaningful religious support events. 

 

Respect plays a major role in the Army values. 

Throughout history the Army values have continued to evolve to address those who face discrimination and harassment. The discrimination and 

harassment of Soldiers, especially based on race, 

gender, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation is not tolerated in the Army. The Army 

strives to produce leaders who will carry out their 

responsibility to ensure that all Soldiers are treated with dignity and respect. 

 In recent years there have been two notable 

changes in the Equal Opportunity (EO) arena: the 

repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, and 

the role of women. Today, women serve in 132 

military occupational specialties including combat arms occupational specialties. In 2015, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced that the 

Pentagon added sexual orientation as a protected 

class under the military Equal Opportunity Policy 

and today, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, 

and transgender communities are allowed to serve 

in the military freely. 

 With change comes controversy and nonetheless we are expected to adhere to the values of our 

organization; loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, 

honor, integrity, and personal courage. By treating each other with dignity and respect, we maintain unit morale, cohesion, trust, and teamwork. 

Morale impacts a Soldier’s commitment to the 

mission and his or her commitment to the Soldiers with whom they serve. Cohesion and trust 

between Soldiers, results 

in teamwork. Teaching, modeling and imploring 

Soldiers to treat one another with dignity and respect results in greater mission performance and 

accomplishment. 

 The goal of the Army and the EO Program 

in support of readiness, is to sustain a comprehensive effort to maximize human potential and 

ensure fair treatment for all persons based solely 

on merit, fitness, and 

capability. Strategies for combating discrimination 

and harassment include awareness, education, 

and most importantly, leadership. With the help 

of unit assessment tools such as sensing sessions 

and command climate surveys, a chain of command can obtain feedback on how its EO Program is working. Units are also mandated to conduct awareness and education sessions on topics 

like hazing and bullying, and participate in ethnic 

and special observances. These sessions enhance 

cross-cultural and cross-gender awareness to 

promote harmony among all military members, 

their families, and the civilian work force. 

 All leaders are obligated to consistently support and commit to the Army EO Program and to 

educate and train EO awareness to build the very 

best Army possible. We all have the responsibility to promote dignity and respect regardless of 

race, gender, religion, national origin, and sexual 

orientation.

Ms. Veronica Martinez

79th SSC EO Program Manager

Equal opportunity:

Promoting dignity and respect in an operational force

Maj. Patrick Paul Brownell, the Chaplain for the 230th 

Sustainment Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard

Chattanooga, Tenn., preaches to a Polish congregation 

during NATO training exercise Anakonda 16 on June 6. 

(U.S. Army photo by Capt. A. Sean Taylor, 649th Regional Support Group)
10 The Falcon Summer 2016 11

Have you ever had an issue with your pay? Or have 

you needed assistance updating your Automated 

Record Brief? What about checking on the status 

of one of your Soldier’s Impact, Permanent Change 

of Station (PCS), or Retirement awards? If you 

answered yes to any of these questions, there is a 

high probability that you walked over to your local 

personnel office (known as S1/G1) and sought assistance.

 The lineage of the Adjutant General’s (AG) Corps 

dates back nearly as far as the Army which it has 

honorably served for over 200 years. The Adjutant 

General’s Corps is part of the Force Sustainment 

Division of the Army. The AG Corps provides personnel and administration support to Soldiers and 

commanders. Our mission is to help build and sustain combat readiness through planning, operating 

and managing military personnel activities, which 

include: strength management, personnel management, personnel readiness, postal operations, and 

band functions. As the Army’s customer service 

representatives, we are here to advise Soldiers on 

matters regarding their career and to provide personnel support that affects Soldiers’ overall welfare 

and well-being, while assisting commanders by accounting for and keeping Soldiers combat-ready.

 Each and every day, whether in garrison or in the 

operational space, Army human resource personnel are there to support Soldiers and their families. 

Every piece of correspondence or email that has a 

Soldier’s name on it has some level of impact on that 

Soldier or his family. Examples include a promotion 

packet, an assignment order, recognition award, 

reenlistment, or a retirement packet for those who 

have served the nation honorably. 

 When it is time to transition back to civilian life, 

whether its completing a deployment, Active Duty 

for Operational Support- Reserve Component orders, or retirement, it is imperative that you seek out 

the assistance of your local G1/S1 and out-process 

according to your unit’s established SOP during 

your transition. 

 Think of your transition to civilian life as a journey on which you can use your individual transition 

plan as a road map. Your G1/S1 can help you address the foregoing points, as well as assist in dealing with the stress that can result from life-altering 

changes, which are a natural part of the transition 

process. 

 It is absolutely essential that you ensure that all 

of your military records are accurate before you 

separate from military service. This includes your 

service medical records and your administrative/

personnel file (including performance evaluations, 

service-issued licenses or certifications, DD Form 

2586, and any security clearances). Never give out 

the original copy of any of these documents. Your 

DD Form 214 is possibly the most important document that you will receive from the military. You 

cannot obtain Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits without presenting a DD Form 214. Keep your original 

DD Form 214 (and all service documents) in a safe, 

fireproof place and make at least 10 certified copies. 

In most states, you can register or record your DD 

Form 214 with county or town registrar’s office.

 Since World War II, Adjutant General’s Corps 

Soldiers have been combat tested on the battlefields 

in Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, and presently Iraq and 

Afghanistan. So, the next time you are in need of 

career advice, have an evaluation question, transition guidance or need to pick-up your unit’s mail, 

stop by the S1/G1 office and I’m sure that you will 

be greeted and serviced with a smile; the AG way! 

Lt. Col. Mark A. Ned 

79th SSC Deputy G1

The Army’s Human Resources Professionals 

AdjutantGeneral

Col. Phillip N. Foster

79th SSC Staff Judge Advocate (SJA)

Part of making the transition to an operationallyready Army Reserve is ensuring Soldiers are 

prepared for worldwide deployment with their legal 

affairs in order. Procuring a power of attorney is one 

way Soldiers can prepare for deployment.

 A power of attorney is a written document that 

gives one person the authority to act on another’s 

behalf for any legal or economic issue for a 

specified period of time. If you are deploying, 

consider providing your spouse, parent, or a trusted 

friend with a power of attorney for the expected 

length of your deployment to ensure that your 

affairs are taken care of while you are away. The 

person designated in the power of attorney document should be your spouse, parent or a trusted 

friend because it gives that person your expressed 

written permission to act on your behalf. A power 

of attorney is a distinct document from a last will 

and testament. The legal rights of a power of attorney cease at the end of the period of time specified 

in the document or upon your death. In the event of 

death, the executor named in the last will and testament assumes the responsibilities of your estate.

 Powers of attorney are available at all installation 

legal assistance offices and should be tailored to a 

given situation. Although a power of attorney can 

be very useful, it can be abused as well. Be careful 

choosing whom you grant authority to, “stand in 

your shoes.” Additionally, note that a power of attorney is only as good as a third party’s willingness 

to accept and honor it. Certain third parties, such as 

businesses or banks, may require a specific form as a 

power of attorney at their discretion.

 

Ask Judge Advocate General:

Power of attorney basics

When drafting a power of attorney, you may choose 

a general power of attorney that gives the designated person the power to perform almost any legal 

act on your behalf for a specified period of time. 

Or, you can choose a special power of attorney that 

allows you to give limited and specific powers to 

the designated person for a specified period of time. 

If you do not specify whether a general power of 

attorney is durable, it will automatically end if you 

become incapacitated in the future. A general or 

special power of attorney may be made “durable” 

with appropriate language. Your local legal assistance office can help you determine the power of attorney that is best for your particular situation. You 

can revoke a power of attorney at any time, as long 

as you are mentally competent. When drafting the 

original document, you may consider limiting the 

length of the power of attorney so that it automatically revokes upon your return from deployment. 

To revoke a power of attorney before its expiration, 

you can execute a revocation of power of attorney 

and give a copy to any person that might deal with 

the person who has the original document. 

 For more assistance on establishing or revoking 

a power of attorney, contact your local legal assistance office. To locate the closest legal assistance at 

a military installation, use the Armed Forces Legal 

Assistance Legal Services Locator available at the 

following link: http://legalassistance.law.af.mil or 

visit http://www.jagcnet.army.mil.
12 The Falcon Summer 2016 13

Serving as an IG Soldier: A Career Opportunity

The 79th Sustainment Command (Support) Inspector General team serves as an extension of the eyes, 

ears, voice, and the conscience of the Commanding 

General. The role of the IG is to work closely with 

commanders at all levels to resolve issues and provide 

solutions at the lowest level possible while protecting 

the confidentiality of all concerned. Our core functions include inspections, investigations, assistance, 

teaching, and training to resolve problems.

 Inspections: The IG staff conducts inspections 

to identify the root cause of an issue and develop 

recommendations on how to improve the issue and 

organization. The IG also provides the inspected 

commander and the staff, with the standard and tools 

to improve systemic issues. Teaching and training is 

the main focus of our inspections as we strive to leave 

every unit that we inspect with recommendations in 

order to correct identified deficiencies and improve 

their readiness. IG Inspections are non-attributional 

and are not used to rate a unit or a commander’s 

performance.

 Investigations and Inquiries: The IG investigates 

fraud, waste and abuse issues, violations of law or 

Army Regulations, policies and whistleblower reprisals. All investigations and inquiries are handled 

objectively to ensure compliance with regulations, 

policies, and laws. IGs are impartial fact-finders and 

do not serve as an advocate for a complainant. Many 

investigations result in commanders’ better understanding of processes, regulations or laws, help stop 

rumors or misunderstanding of perceived wrongdoings and clear the good name of Army officials.

 Assistance: Any Soldier, Civilian or Family Member can request assistance from the IG. However, they 

should seek resolution of an issue first through the 

chain of command. Assistance requests, or complaints, as they are normally referred to, should be 

filed with their local Inspector General, but due to 

geographical locations of higher headquarters, it can 

be filed with any IG. It is the intent of the Inspector 

General System that an IG closest to the complaint 

Sgt. 1st Class Martha C. Leone

79th SSC Assistant Inspector General

InspectorGeneral

There is a battle that each and every Soldier, regardless of rank, is called upon to fight. The enemy: 

sexual assault and harassment. Assaults to our personnel cracks the very foundation of Army values 

and Warrior Ethos. The damage to survivors is often 

silent, hushed by shame, pressure, and fear. This 

damage reaches far and wide, impacting so much 

more than just a solitary victim. Sexual Harassment/

Assault Response and Prevention Program victim 

advocates work with commanders and support 

victims of sexual harassment and assault. Soldiers 

and Civilians can come together to intervene in the 

battle that rages on among the Army ranks. 

 SHARP provides Soldiers and senior leaders 

the tools to understand their individual roles and 

responsibilities regarding response to sexual assault 

victims, whether in a non-duty or duty status. The 

Department of the Army SHARP policy promotes 

sensitive care and confidential reporting for victims 

of sexual assault and accountability for those who 

commit these crimes. An educated Army community is essential to establishing an effective climate 

of prevention. Leaders across the Army are engaging in interactive assessments about sexual assault 

myths and facts, to foster a preventive culture, 

ensuring a safe reporting environment and ensuring 

appropriate accountability. Soldiers are taught about 

offender tactics, how to intervene in suspected 

sexual assault situations, and how to report an incident. Soldiers and DA Civilians are taught how they 

can influence the safety of the Army Community 

and the workplace. The Army aggressively teaches 

and promotes Army values and self-discipline to 

new recruits and first-term Soldiers to ensure they 

understand and embrace the Army’s efforts to create 

a climate of prevention and intervention.

 In September 2014 the Army’s SHARP Program 

Office requested that the Emergent Leader 

Immersive Training Environment, also known as 

ELITE, counseling tool be further developed into 

a SHARP-specific tool to better prepare command 

teams for dealing with sexual assault and sexual 

harassment in the ranks. On April 1, at the start of 

Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, a 

new Army training video was released; the ELITE 

Command Team Trainer. The CTT is an interactive 

video game designed to assist commanders as all 

levels deal with sexual assault and sexual harassment. The game is available on the Army’s MILGAMING website at milgaming.army.mil. 

Ms. Maurnike Stevenson 

79th SSC SHARP Program Manager

provide assistance or conduct inquiries into the matters submitted. 

 Issues that are not IG Appropriate: Before going 

to the IG, complainants should ensure that there is 

a problem, not just a misunderstanding with their 

leadership or the regulation. Complainants must 

understand that IGs are not policy makers and cannot direct a resolution, and that IGs can only resolve 

matters based on facts and evidence. Some issues 

brought to the Inspector General are not IG appropriate because there is another system (redress or appeals) in place to address them, such as Evaluations, 

Courts-Martial actions, separations, financial liability 

investigations of property loss, EO or EEO complaints, command directed investigations (AR 15-6), 

or non-Army related matters.

 Do you have what it takes to be an IG? Serving as 

an IG provides a unique opportunity for Officers and 

Noncommissioned officers to gain a broad perspective and understanding of the Army not usually 

available in any other assignment. There are nominative Inspector General vacancies in the 79th SSC and 

throughout the Army Reserve, for enlisted Soldiers 

in the ranks of Staff Sergeant (P) through Master 

Sergeant and Officers in the ranks of Captain thru 

Colonel. The IG’s role demands that only officers and 

NCOs who are mature, ethical, and morally beyond 

reproach be nominated for selection as an IG. The 

vetting process culminates in The Inspector General 

selecting only those NCOs and Officers who embrace 

and exemplify a strong commitment to the Army 

Values and the Warrior Ethos. If you are interested 

contact your local Inspector General for the packet 

79th SSC Inspector General POCs

79th SSC IG (562) 936-7703

311th ESC (310) 235-4224 4th ESC (210) 466-2794

451st ESC (316) 681-1759 x 1260 364th ESC (360)403-2396
14 The Falcon Summer 2016 15

 Losing a Soldier or Civilian to suicide is tragic, 

and it is our responsibility as teammates to extend 

every resource available to our colleagues in crisis. 

In that vein, the Soldier Leader Risk Reduction Tool 

is a new tool that has been developed and released 

for use to help leaders identify the signs of suicidality. According to U.S. Army Reserve Command 

Operation Order 16-109, suicide prevention efforts 

will add the Soldier Leader Risk Reduction Tool to 

the on-going requirement of Ask, Care, Escort–Suicide Intervention training. The SLRRT will provide 

junior leaders and first line supervisors a tool to 

directly get to know their Soldiers better and learn 

more about their lives, including determining if 

they might be at risk for suicide. This will provide 

the leader a better awareness of how to assist their 

Soldier; either to provide resources, or escort them 

to a care provider. 

 The U.S. Army Reserve provides world-class 

training opportunities for suicide prevention and 

intervention. All Soldiers and Civilians receive 

Ask, Care, Escort training as an annual recurring requirement. All junior leaders and first line 

supervisors (E5-E8, O1-O4, WO1-CW4) receive 

ACE-SI; a four-hour block of instruction to provide 

basic suicide intervention skills. Many times junior 

leaders and first line supervisors are called upon to 

intervene when a Soldier makes a suicide attempt 

or has suicidal thoughts. In a similar fashion to the 

Army’s combat lifesaver course, Soldiers also receive 

The Soldier Leader Risk Reduction Tool:

New device to get to know your Soldiers 

Mr. Peter Dubinin

79th SSC Suicide Prevention Program Manager

ESC Suicide Prevention Program Managers

4th ESC, Mr. Brion Pinkerton, 210-466-2638 311th ESC, Mr. Ken Gesch, 310-235-4290

364th ESC, SSG Wayne Smith, 360-403-2392 451st ESC, Ms. Kelli Pfau, 316-681-1759 x-1450

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

useful suicide intervention skills that may save a life. 

In addition, the U.S. Army Reserve Suicide Action 

Plan requires units to identify Soldiers within their 

ranks to serve as “gatekeepers,” two per companysized element. Gatekeepers must complete a twoday workshop in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills 

Training. The ASIST training program is top-tier 

and used throughout the world in such places as 

Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United 

Kingdom. The capstone of the training is a five-day 

workshop designed to train trainers in ASIST. Those 

who complete the five-day training and conduct 

three, two-day ASIST workshops, will qualify for an 

Additional Skill Identifier: 1S. 

 Suicide prevention and intervention skills provide tools and a gateway to creating an Army team 

community centered on genuine concern for all 

members’ well-being. The term ‘community’ expresses the reality of people engaged in a common 

purpose who genuinely care for each other. Authentic relationship among members of the community 

serves as the entrance to effective suicide prevention and intervention, and an authentic relationship 

establishes the credibility required to gain appropriate access into another person’s life. As leaders and 

team members, I encourage all of you to study the 

skills provided by the ASIST and ACE programs, 

implore you to use them when needed, and take 

extra steps to get to know your Soldiers and battle 

buddies—your efforts could be their lifeline. 

Choose Life

The U.S. Army Reserve Command assigned a 

highly skilled group of Active Guard and Reserve 

Military Police Officers at general officer 

command levels within the 79th SSC. These 

select MP Officers come with many years of experience, along with specialized training in the area 

of antiterrorism and force protection. On August 

24-25, these antiterrorism officers from all five 

general officer commands within the 79th SSC, 

along with members of the USARC Antiterrorism 

Branch, convened in Los Alamitos, California, for 

two days of discussions and planning. The goal 

was simple: do our very best to protect the force.

What you can expect to see from your 

Force Protection Teams

 Working closely with the USARC Antiterrorism Branch, all our ESC antiterrorism officers 

received an easy to follow road map for a fiscal 

year’s worth of training priorities. As this 

training tool works its way down to the 

antiterrorism officers at all levels throughout the 

79th SSC, Soldiers will receive robust classroom 

and situational training exercises on the most current threats. Most importantly, by following this 

road map of training priorities, the ESCs can 

expect to be financially funded to execute cuttingedge training that hits home ... keeping our Soldiers and their Families protected. 

What policies and procedures are in place?

 Antiterrorism is both an art and a science and 

should be treated as such. Your antiterrorism 

officers fully understand the guidelines for force 

protection and the requirements of Army Regulation 525-13, Military Operations Antiterrorism. 

 

 However, beyond the eight tasks and 35 specified standards, and the employment of various 

Threat Condition Measures daily at each of your 

facilities, comes the artistic side of Antiterrorism. 

Each of your Antiterrorism Officers, at all levels 

throughout the 79th SSC, are tasked to establish 

a close knit relationship with their local, county, 

and state law enforcement counterparts by sharing information, through local and regional fusion cells, it allows our subject matter experts to 

understand local threats and challenges down to 

the zip code level. Your unit Antiterrorism Officers have been equipped with the most current 

Army Regulations, cutting edge blocks of training 

and procedures, and personal knowledge of law 

enforcement information at their Reserve Center 

location. Armed with these resources, unit Antiterrorism officers are tremendous assets to their 

Commanders...and together, will strive to keep 

our Soldiers and their families well protected. 

 As the antiterrorism officer for the 79th SSC, 

it is my duty to ensure that those who would do 

harm never get that opportunity. This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. Each and every 

time a member of the 79th SSC family arrives at 

one of our facilities to work and train, it is important that they feel safe knowing that our team has 

your back. 

 

Lt. Col. Gary S. Ross

79th SSC Force Protection Officer 

“ASSIST, PROTECT, DEFEND”

PROTECTING THE FORCE 

What is the 79th SSC doing to protect its troops and their families ?
16 The Falcon Summer 2016 17

79th SSC Best Warriors

Spc. Daniel Kovitch (left) representing the 

364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) headquartered in Marysville, Wash., 

and Sgt. Scott Hart, representing the 311th 

Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) 

headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif., claim 

the prizes of best Soldier and best noncommissioned officer in the 79th SSC Best 

Warrior Competition. The awards ceremony 

wrapped up after three long days of intense 

competition where eight competitors pushed 

themselves to their physical, mental and intellectual limits. These two 79th warriors represented our command at the United States 

Army Reserve Competition at Fort Bragg, 

North Carolina. To see a video of the competition please visit https://www.dvidshub.net/

video/458475/79th-sustainment-supportcommand-2016-best-warrior-competion.

Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class James Lilly

79th SSC Public Affairs Chief

The Falcon

Sgt. Justin Morton, representing the 364th ESC, takes 

a moment to catch his breath after completing the 10K 

foot march during the Best Warrior competition. 

16

Spc. Kenny Ochoa, from the 311th ESC, assembles the 

M249 light machine gun as part of mystery event during 

the Best Warrior competition. 

4th ESC Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Johnson (left), 311th ESC Command Sgt. Maj. Grady Blue (second to left), 79th SSC 

Command Sgt. Maj. Ted Copeland (center), 364th ESC Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Brashears (second to right), and 451st 

ESC Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Langworthy (right) take a group photo with the best warrior competitors. 

4th ESC 

Staff Sgt. Hector Suarz

Spc. Riksy Nunez

311th ESC 

Sgt. Scott Hart

Spc. Kenny Ochoa

451st ESC 

Sgt. Kyle Zeller

Spc. Anthony Gardner

364th ESC 

Sgt. Justin Morton

Spc. Daniel Kovitch

SUMMER 2016

Spc. Riksy Nunez, from the 4th ESC, receives some 

verbal motivation from his sponsor, Sgt. Zamora Abraham, as he crosses the finish line of the 10K foot march.

Spc. Daniel Kovitch, from the 364th ESC, clears a 8-foot 

wall during the obstacle course portion of the 79th SSC 

Best Warrior Competition.

17
18 18 The Falcon The Falcon SUMMER 2015 Summer 2016 1919

Spc. Anthony Gardner, from the 451st ESC, shoots an 

azimuth before heading to his first point during the land 

navigation event.

18 The Falcon

Sgt. Kyle Zeller, from the 451st ESC, demonstrates his 

upper body strength by crossing the horizontal ladder.

Spc. Riksy Nunez, from the 4th ESC, stakes his weapon 

after firing in the marksmanship event.

Spc. Daniel Kovitch, representing the 364th ESC, performs modified push-ups a part of the physical training 

event at the Best Warrior Competition.

SUMMER 2016 19

Sgt. Scott Hart, from the 311th ESC, assembles the 

M249 light machine gun as part of mystery event. 

Spc. Daniel Kovitch, from the 364th ESC, locates his 

grid coordinates before heading out to the land navigation course.

Sgt. Kyle Zeller, from the 451st ESC, cools down after 

the grueling 10K foot march.

Staff Sgt. Hector Suarez, and his sponsor Staff Sgt. 

Helen Haby, sprint across the 10K foot march finish line.
20 The Falcon Summer 2016 21

Story by Sgt. 1st Class James Lilly

79th SSC Public Affairs Chief

NORMANDY, France – Twelve Soldiers from the 

90th Sustainment Brigade traveled here in early 

June to take part in the 72nd anniversary of the 

D-Day landings in Normandy. 

 Maj. Gen. Mark Palzer, Commanding General of 

the 79th Sustainment Command (Support), gave 

remarks at two ceremonies honoring the 90th SB.

 The first ceremony was held in the town of Picauville on the evening of June 3. City officials, veterans 

of the 90th Infantry Division (ID) and members of 

the 90th SB along with French and German Soldiers 

paid their respects at the 90th ID memorial located 

in the center of town.

 The second ceremony was held the morning of 

June 4 at the 90th ID and 82nd Airborne Division 

Memorial in Gourbesville.

 During World War II on June 9, 1944, 

the Americans broke through the Ger90th Sustainment Brigade Participates in D-Day Ceremonies

man line at La Fière, near the Merderet 

river, causing the Germans to withdraw to 

Picauville. The next day, the 358th Regimental 

Combat Team of the 90th Infantry Division 

attacked Picauville. The 359th Regimental Combat 

Team also committed to action, in the vicinity of 

Picauville. Units of the 359th Regiment received 

severe shelling during the move to that sector. 

 Both the Germans and the Americans held this 

town several times--the 90th Infantry Division paying a high price for its final release; approximately 

300 dead and 2,000 injured. 

 In the days following the allied invasion, Gourbesville and other towns like it in the surrounding 

countryside became scenes of intense fighting as the 

U.S. Army moved eastward deeper into France.

 Every year veterans of those battles converge 

on the crossroads at Gourbesville to pay respects 

20 The Falcon SUMMER 2016 23

90th Sustainment Brigade Soldiers along with World War II Veterans from 90th Infantry Division and family members take time for a photo at the 90th ID memorial on Utah Beach June 4, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Pamela 

Johnston)
22 The Falcon Summer 2016 23

to their 300 comrades were who killed during the 

fighting and to lay wreaths at the base of a monument honoring them. The inscription on the monument reads: “To their liberators. The people of 

Gourbesville in memory of three hundred U.S. 

Soldiers who died on our soil June 1944.”

 Soldiers from the 90th SB attended a ceremony 

at Sainte Marie du Mont, located adjacent to Utah 

Beach where American troops landed on the morning of D-Day. A large monument there pays tribute 

the 90th ID, it reads: “TO THE MEMORY OF THE 

HEROIC DEAD OF THE 90TH INFANTRY DIVISION, US ARMY 6 JUNE 1944 – 9 MAY 1954.”

 “It was a humbling experience and true honor to 

share the soil with the French citizens who came to 

recognize and respect the brave soldiers of the 90th 

Infantry Division,” said 90th SB Commander Lt. 

Col. Gregory Hinton.

 The 90th SB traces its lineage to the 90th Infantry Division which first saw combat action during 

This mannequin hanging on the church tower in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, stands as a tribute to 82nd Airborne paratrooper Pvt. John Steele. His parachute was caught in one of the pinnacles of the church tower, causing the suspension 

lines of his parachute to stretch to their full length, leaving him hanging on the side of the church to witness the battle 

taking place in the streets of the city. The wounded paratrooper hung there limply for two hours, pretending to be dead, 

before the Germans took him prisoner. Steele later escaped from the Germans and rejoined his division. (U.S. Army 

photo by Sgt. 1st Class James Lilly)

79th SSC Commander, Maj. Gen. Mark Palzer, and 90th 

Sustainment Brigade Commander Lt. Col. Gegory 

Hinton, lay a wreath at the base of the 90th Infantry 

Division Memorial in Picauville, France, June 3, 2016. 

(U.S. Army photo by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Pamela 

Johnston)

A city official reads a proclamation as a formation of 

Soldiers from the 90th Sustainment Brigade and 82nd 

Airborne Division look on in Gourbesville, France, June 

4, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Chief Warrant Officer 3 

Pamela Johnston)

WWII on D-Day, June 6, 1944, when some of its elements landed at Utah Beach in Normandy, France.

 The 90th ID participated in campaigns in Normandy, Northern Europe, Ardennes, Alsace-Rhineland and Central Europe. Its accomplishments include capturing 83,437 enemy prisoners, capturing 

or destroying 195 self-propelled guns, 501 tanks and 

134 aircraft. The 90th ID casualties included 3,871 

killed in action and 21,000 wounded. 

 The United States shares a great alliance with 

France, as well as many other nations in Europe, 

and has demonstrated its commitment to the Normandy commemoration year after year with hundreds of Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen, color guards, 

bands, key leaders, aircraft and ships. The U.S. 

military sent representatives to the 72nd anniversary commemoration events to recognize the service 

of our own troops and Veterans as well as reassure 

our partner nations that the U.S. is still present in 

Europe and dedicated to maintaining strong relationships with our allies.

90th Infantry Division and World War II Veteran Carver 

McGriff and 79th SSC Commander, Maj. Gen. Mark 

Palzer render salutes at the 90th Infantry Division 

Memorial Ceremony in Picauville, France, June 3, 2016. 

(U.S. Army photo by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Pamela 

Johnston)

90th Sustainment Brigade Soldiers perform color guard 

duty the 90th Infantry Division Memorial Ceremony in 

Picauville, France, June 3, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by 

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Pamela Johnston)
24 The Falcon Summer 2016 25

 4th ESC

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The hassle of juggling 

a wide array of supply and sustainment support 

can become overwhelming. However, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Aura Sweeney, Senior Supply Systems 

Technician, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), 

and her multiclass team remain undaunted when 

dealing with this mission.

 Countless Soldiers in theater do not realize what 

supply systems 

are currently 

in place or 

how critical 

the logistics 

and supply 

mission is 

in support 

of ongoing 

contingency 

operations.

 “Multiclass 

deals with different classes 

of supplies,” 

said Sweeney. 

“We deal with 

Class II - office 

supplies; Class 

III - package; 

Class IV - force 

protection 

materials; and 

Class IX - ground and aviation parts. In addition to 

supplies, we also oversee the Central Issue Facilities 

located in theater.”

 The 1st TSC’s multiclass mission is comprised of 

several ongoing operations. The section executes 

operational sustainment support, manages the 

Army Direct Order Program in theater, provides 

1st TSC Multiclass Increases Logistical Support

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Diana Anzaldua

4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

logistical support to customers with issues at the 

wholesale level, monitors services throughout the 

U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility, 

provides effective oversight to the Supply Support 

Activities and provides logistical assistance to Task 

Force Sinai.

 “I represent the 1st TSC,” said Sweeney. “I’m 

there to provide guidance and logistical assistance 

throughout the 

CENTCOM 

AOR.”

 The ADO 

program is one 

of the many 

missions that 

the 1st TSC 

multiclass section manages. 

Due to the 

nature of Soldier’s missions 

and physical 

environment, 

uniforms can 

become unserviceable. 

 “I oversee 

the ADO Program in the 

CENTCOM 

AOR except for 

Afghanistan,” said Sgt. 1st Class Keivin S. Clayton, 

multiclass noncommissioned officer in charge, 

1st TSC. “ADO is extremely important in theater 

because you receive clothing such as uniforms and 

Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment 

such as boots, goggles and supplies that go through 

wear and tear during a deployment. You can’t go 

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Chief Warrant Officer 4 Aura I. 

Sweeney, Senior Supply Systems Technician, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), conducted a site visit to the Forward Retrograde 

Element, here on March 10. Sweeney opened lines of communication 

between her team, the FRE and the 518th Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade while providing guidance and oversight to the retrograde 

mission.

through a Central Issue Facility to direct exchange 

the items, you have to go through ADO.” 

 In order for a Soldier to self-sustain, it is crucial 

that a program is in place to receive needed supplies 

and managed efficiently in order to prevent frivolous and fraudulent spending of funds.

 “Units have an account for a certain amount 

every month per individual Soldier that is on rotation,” Clayton said. “That is how they replace whatever they use.”

 The 1st TSC multiclass section works diligently 

together and conducts crucial site visits to effectively develop seamless operations.

 “The 1st TSCs multiclass mission in the AOR is 

to oversee and provide technical guidance to the 11 

SSAs in the CENTCOM AOR,” Sweeney said.

 Sweeney and her team traveled to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, and Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, 

in support of the 1st TSCs multiclass CIF and SSA 

mission.

 The CIF in theater is a crucial mission and U.S. 

Army Central Command recently tasked the 1st 

TSC multiclass section to begin the process of assessing the CIFs in theater to better support deployed Soldiers. 

 “Once a Soldier arrives in theater, CIF is extremely important because it is a direct exchange 

operation, not an initial issue facility,” said Sweeney. 

“We [1st TSC multiclass] manage the CIF at Camp 

Buehring. I ensure my team gets out there to inspect operations and provide any assistance that the 

facility might need.”

 As the retrograde mission across the CENTCOM 

AOR progresses, the need for multiclass logistical 

operations to facilitate the operations also increases. 

 “My recent visit in Afghanistan was to provide 

guidance to the SSA accountable officer and look 

at any Global Combat Support System-Army issues 

that they may have,” said Sweeney. 

 Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan is the largest SSA 

in theater which supports over 10,000 line items for 

aviation and ground, over 1,200 Department of Defense Activity Address Codes and different classes of 

supplies. 

 The majority of retrograde items are sent to the 

BAF and Kandahar Air Field Forward Retrograde 

Element yards. Additionally, the SSA supports three 

forward issue and turn-in points located at KAF, 

Forward Operating Base Fenty and Kabul.

 “The visit was great and informative to our mission going forward,” said Chief Warrant Officer 

2 Mario L. Pope, general supply officer in charge, 

518th Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade. 

“Chief Sweeney addressed multiple issues that we 

were having with DODAACs, BAF SSA, BAF CIF 

and FREs operations. This visit was also helpful 

with informing the Combat Sustainment Support 

Battalion and contractors about ongoing future 

operations.”

 In addition to the recent CIF and SSA missions, 

Sweeney has conducted site visits to Camp Taji, 

Iraq, and Saudi Arabi in support of the 1st TSC’s 

multiclass mission.

 “The previous site visits were crucial in order to 

identify issues and concerns with aviation parts for 

the Task Force Heavy Combat Aviation Battalion 

unit,” said Sweeney.

 On top of identifying issues, Sweeney provided 

guidance to the SSA accountable officer on ground 

and her supply expertise to the ongoing Iraq Train 

and Equip Fund mission supported the 77th Sustainment Brigade.

 “I have also been tasked with assessing and 

providing my logistical knowledge and expertise to 

United States Military Training Mission Combined 

Joint 4,” Sweeney said. “I provided recommendations in the area of contracts, finance and a majority 

of ongoing supply issues.” 

 The multiclass mission requires long hours by 

everyone in the multiclass section. Moreover, the 

extensive travel, ability to multi-task, constant and 

consistent communication and teamwork plays a 

major part in their success.

 “It has been an overwhelming mission, but because of the team that I have in place, it has allowed 

me to do additional tasks, such as traveling,” Sweeney said. “I’m very thankful to be able to do what 

I do, but I’m also thankful for my team. Because of 

their knowledge and my trust in them, I am able to 

pick up and go without worry.”
26 The Falcon Summer 2016 27

 4th ESC

FORT HOOD, Texas 

– Families and friends 

joined the 4th Sustainment Command 

(Expeditionary) May 

7 for a Welcome 

Home WarriorCitizen Award Program Recognition 

Ceremony to honor 

the returning Soldiers 

and give thanks to 

the families, friends, 

and employers who 

have been supportive 

throughout the 

mobilization process. 

 The 4th ESC 

Soldiers deployed 

in support of the 1st 

Sustainment Command (Theater), and aligned with U.S. Army Central 

and III Corps Combined Joint Task Force – Operation 

Inherent Resolve. The Soldiers conducted operations 

in five countries within the CENTCOM area of operations. 

 The 4th ESC commanding general, Brig. Gen. Kenneth D. Jones, a native of Bryan, Texas, applauded the 

returning Soldiers and also recognized the supportive 

family members and employers. 

 “Today’s welcome home ceremony not only represents a change of mission for these Soldiers, it is 

a transition for families as they welcome home their 

Warrior–Citizens who answered the call to duty by 

putting their boots on the ground and making a difference in a distant land,” said Jones.

 Maj. Gen. Mark Palzer, commanding general of the 

79th Sustainment Command (Support) also welcomed 

the returning Soldiers and highlighted some of the 

many unit accomplishments, including losing 1,200 

pounds of body weight and running a collective total 

of over 29,000 miles during the month of January.

Largest Reserve Command in Texas Returns

 Palzer also 

pointed out that today’s Army Reserve 

is an integral and 

essential element 

of the Total Army 

which enables meeting high operational 

demands and the 

ability to support 

our nation’s worldwide commitments.

 The ceremony 

included recognizing Soldiers who 

completed their first 

deployment by presenting them with 

a Welcome Home 

Warrior Citizen 

flag and certificate. 

The Soldiers were able to spend some time with their 

loved ones before continuing their out-processing.

Maj. Gen. Mark Palzer, commanding general of the 79th 

Sustainment Command (Support), welcomes the returning 4th ESC Soldiers and recognized their families.

Courtesy Story

h t t p s : / / s a f e t y . a r m y. m i l

HEREIT

COMES

79th SSC Safety Director

Mr. Jeff Harris

562-936-7664

jeffrey.w.harris1.civ@mail.mil

U.S. Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Kenneth D. Jones, left, commander 

of the 4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and Command 

Sgt. Maj. Paul C. Swanson, the senior enlisted adviser for the unit, 

uncased the colors during a Welcome Home Warrior Citizen Award 

Program Recognition Ceremony, May 7 at Fort Hood, Texas.
28 The Falcon Summer 2016 29

 4th ESC

Nautical Horizon Tests Wartime Reserve Boat Program Story by Master Sgt. Dave Thompson 

4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

KUWAIT – Designed to be executed in seven 

phases from February until the end of March, Nautical Horizon enhances strategic mobility initiatives 

and provides an opportunity to exercise various 

contingency procedures involving the deployment 

of forces and activation of Army pre-positioned 

vessels within the U.S. Central Command area of 

responsibility.

 Under the U.S. Army Central umbrella, APS-5 

Kuwait, an Army pre-positioned stocks storage hub, 

implemented a system called the Care of Supplies in 

Storage program designed to maintain stored Army 

material and machines in ready-for-issue condition 

and to prevent equipment deterioration. 

 Chief Warrant Officer 3 Theodore “Ted” 

McGuire, Watercraft Officer with APS-5 Kuwait, 

oversees the Army boat storage program at Kuwait 

Naval Base. McGuire, along with his noncommissioned officer, Sgt. 1st Class Scottie Ballew, who 

McGuire refers to as ‘his 

right hand,’ manages the 

maintenance and readiness of over 30 Army watercraft. 

 With their 55-person 

civilian team and over 

30 years of experience in 

Army watercraft maintenance between them, McGuire and Ballew ramped 

up operations in preparation for Nautical Horizon.

 “This exercise validates 

the issue and draw process 

and tests the capabilities of the boats we have 

here,” said McGuire. “Four 

boats [two Landing Craft 

Utility (LCU-2000) and 

two Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM-8)] are being 

issued and the crews will run them through a series 

of operations that’s designed to mirror their wartime mission.”

 Chief Warrant Officer 2 Anthony Wilson is the 

Support Operations Watercraft Mobility Officer for 

1st Theater Sustainment Command. An LCU-2000 

boat captain himself, Wilson serves as the liaison 

between APS-5 and 1st TSC and oversees validation 

of the exercise. 

 “My job is to observe the process,” said Wilson. “I 

interact with all the players which includes the task 

force commander, the APS team, the harbor master 

and the boat crews to make sure the boats are issued 

and seaworthy and the crews are ready to operate 

within an established 96-hour window.”

 The 1st TSC provides logistical and sustainment 

support for all U.S. and coalition warfighters within 

the Central Command region. Their leaders have 

a vested interest in the operational ability of Army 

watercrafts as the boats are integral to meeting 

heavy sustainment lift requirements.

 Army watercraft systems are critical enablers in 

overcoming austere equipment loading and 

offloading challenges due to their flat bottom 

design. From the 273-foot Logistic Support Vessel 

with a 2,000-ton cargo carrying capacity to the 73-

foot LCMs, Army vessels are designed to operate in 

austere to bare beach environments. These unique 

assets are not dependent upon developed seaports 

or infrastructure and can operate in shallow draft, 

littoral and inland waterways, a capability the U.S. 

Navy does not have with its deep hull designed vessels.

 Briefings from McGuire, Ballew and task force 

commander Capt. Sarah Hundley, 524th Combat 

Sustainment Support Battalion, marked the start of 

the exercise. They discussed the vessel draw process, 

inventory timeline, the mission and turn-in procedures of the APS-5 vessels. This effectively started 

the 96-hours to deliver the four fully mission capable boats and equipment to the crews.

 “We had some hiccups and problems that are 

typical when boats sit and don’t get used,” said 

McGuire. “One had an engine problem, but we were 

able to issue another boat, and another had a reduction gear [malfunction] which we were able to get 

repaired within 36 hours.”

 Ballew, who has over eight years of sea time 

experience as an engineer, lends his expertise and 

impeccable work ethic to maintaining the boats. He 

once rebuilt one of the two massive LCU marine 

diesel engines while underway after a piston exploded and narrowly missed hitting him.

 “We have a team of top notch contractors who 

are as passionate as we are about keeping these 

boats going,” said Ballew. “We find new ways to fix 

old bridges and facilitate the mission.” 

 McGuire stated the boats needed to be used and 

put through the paces in order to function properly 

and many of his challenges with keeping APS boats 

mission capable was the low operational budget and 

existing maintenance procedures that he said did 

not adequately exercise the boat systems. 

 “I’m working to rewrite the maintenance SOP 

and establish a good foundation and leave it better than I found it,” McGuire said. “The boats are a 

great and cost-effective mobility asset for the Army, 

but it takes the proper funding to maintain this program. I’m looking for someone [at the upper decision making level] to champion this effort and keep 

the Army Watercraft program in the fight.”

 Staff Sgt. Harcel Rosado, assigned to the 97th, 

is the boatswain for one of the issued boats, the 

number 29 LCU. He is responsible for all the components in the boat’s hull. Rosado, who hails from 

Puerto Rico, is an experienced mariner who knows 

the LCU well. He plans and assigns the daily work 

schedule to the deck crew and maintains order and 

cleanliness. Having completed the draw process, he 

goes through his checklist with methodical precision, making sure everything is in place and the 

boat is ‘shipshape’ to get underway.

 “Our baby is ready to go,” quipped Rosado, an 

energetic man whose bright eyes and youthful exuberance belies his 32 years. “This exercise gives our 

crew a great opportunity to improve our skills and 

showcase how important our mission is. We have 

the best job in the Army and I wouldn’t want to be 

doing anything else.”

 The exercise took the crews underway where 

they transported equipment from Kuwait to Oman 

and returned with a back haul of equipment from 

Oman, all the while gaining valuable training experience, testing the boats and exercising deployment 

and redeployment procedures. 

 The 1st TSC anticipates an increase in the use of 

Army watercraft as a way to alleviate the demand 

for aircraft use to move Department of Defense 

cargo throughout the Arabian Peninsula. This not 

only reduces the demand for the limited aircraft in 

theater, it also provides movement of cargo at a significantly reduced cost to American taxpayers. Nautical Horizon highlights the critical importance of 

the APS-5 watercraft mission and serves to validate 

ongoing planning efforts to support the increased 

demand for the Army boats.

Landing Craft Utility boats sit in dock at the Kuwait Naval Base as part of APS-5 Kuwait, an Army prepositioned wartime stocks program. APS-5 maintains over 30 Army 

watercraft in ready-for-issue condition as part of Army Central’s contingency operations strategy. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Dave Thompson)
30 The Falcon Summer 2016 31

Story by Staff Sgt. Robert Ham

311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

 311th ESC

Big Logistics-Over-The-Shore-West 2016

The U.S. Army 481st Transportation Company’s Landing Craft Utility 2032, the “Palo Alto,” departs the San Francisco 

Bay at the completion of Annual Training in Alameda, Calif., June 22, 2016. Big Logistics Over The Shore - West 16 

is an annual, Army Reserve, multi-echelon (Company/Detachment to Brigade) functional exercise designed to train 

transportation units and sustainment commands in Logistics Over-the-Shore (LOTS) operations. (U.S. Army photo by 

Lt. Col. Gregg Moore)

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Army Reserve provides 

more than two-thirds of the Army’s overall logistics 

support. The 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), from Los Angeles, California, has a 

long history of supplying logistics to the warfighter 

on the front lines from Operation Desert Shield 

and Desert Storm, to Joint Endeavor, to Operations 

Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom along with 

dozens of annual peacetime exercises. The 311th 

trained for any future peacetime or wartime deployment from June 10-24, during the U.S. Army Reserve’s Big Logistics-Over-The-Shore-West 2016.

 The 311th led exercise has brought together 

“thousands of Soldiers from across the Army Reserve,” said Brig. Gen. David E. Elwell, Commanding General, 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). “We train as we fight and this is part of our 

road to war for our port and watercraft Soldiers,” 

continued Elwell. 

 For Big LOTS-West’s third consecutive year in 

the San Francisco Bay Area, Army Reserve Soldiers 

practiced harbor and seaport logistics operations 

such as the loading and unloading of containers 

from trucks to ships, a Landing Craft Utility vehicle 

beach landing, and rolling vehicles on and off the 

massive military transportation ships at Alameda 

Point. This intensive training is the closest Soldiers 

will get to a real world situation during a training 

scenario. 

 “Whether it’s an earthquake or an environment 

where ports have been destroyed in some way, the 

Army could come in and set up an expeditionary 

port. An Army watercraft could then utilize and 

offload ships from that degraded port,” said Elwell.

 Civilian safety officers and Army Reserve subject matter experts supervise the exercise to make 

sure military guidelines and safety procedures are 

maintained. “This is very dangerous work, because 

we’re operating watercraft and operating very large 

cranes, there’s not much room for error, so safety is 

paramount out here,” said Elwell.

 “This exercise keeps our jobs relevant in our 

minds. It helps us stay safe and focused and keeps 

us ready,” said Spc. Brandon Byrd, a crane operator 

from the 441st Transportation Company (Seaport 

Operations), New Orleans, Louisiana. 

 The Soldiers participating in Big LOTS come 

from all over the country with a wide base of profesDuring Big Logistics Over The Shore West, Soldiers scan the sea 

floor for obstructions and take depth measurements to 

ensure ships can safely maneuver in the waters near the port in 

Alameda, Calif., June 18, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Timothy 

Yao)

The Palo Alto, an Army Landing Craft Utility, returns to the Port of 

Alameda, Calif. after a maintenance cruise around the San Francisco Bay on June 16, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Timothy 

Yao)

sional and civilian skills that are in high demand. The Army Reserve provides an efficient 

and cost-effective way to mitigate issues during the current drawdown. For the majority of 

these Reserve Soldiers, this is their culminating 

annual exercise and they will go back to their 

civilian life at its conclusion and continue their 

two-day a month commitment until next year’s 

annual training.
32 The Falcon Summer 2016 33

 311th ESC

A 5,000 gallon semi-trailer called an M969 is staged at Tactical Assembly 

Area Schoonover during Combat Support Training Exercise 91-16-02 at Fort 

Hunter Liggett, Calif., June 20, 2016. As the largest U.S. Army Reserve training exercise, CSTX 91-16-02 provides Soldiers with unique opportunities 

to sharpen their technical and tactical skills in combat-like conditions. (U.S. 

Army photo by Sgt. Krista Rayford, 367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, 

Calif. – The sun is rising high 

above rugged mountains and 

U.S. Army Reserve Pvt. Manuel 

Morgan, a 26-year-old petroleum 

supply specialist, with the 1017th 

Quartermaster Company, out 

of Camp Pendleton, California, 

anxiously prepares for his day at 

the office. Instead of paperclips 

and copy machines, his office is 

comprised of a flat, dirt surface 

displaying five M969s; 5,000-gallon semi-trailers filled with thousands of gallons of fuel. 

 Morgan, of San Diego, California, is part of the team responsible 

for supplying fuel to thousands of 

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers and 

their units at Fuel System Supply 

Point (FSSP) Schoonover during 

Combat Support Training Exercise 

91-16-02, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California. As the 

largest U.S. Army Reserve training exercise, CSTX 

91-16-02 provides Soldiers with unique opportunities to sharpen their technical and tactical skills in 

combat-like conditions. 

 “He fuels the trucks, verifies the numbers and 

provides excellent customer service,” said Sgt. Jiras 

Carter, team leader, 1017th Quartermaster Company, from Camp Pendleton, California. “He makes 

my job easy.” 

 At CSTX 91-16-02, Morgan has also been 

charged with managing and confirming fuel delivery amounts from commercial fuel companies. 

 “During one delivery, the numbers weren’t adding up to what was requested,” said Carter. “It was 

Pvt. Morgan who found the error, allowing us to 

ensure we had enough fuel to support the day’s missions.” 

 Morgan was born in Mexico where his father was 

a doctor. They moved around often, giving Morgan 

a love for travel. After earning a Bachelor of Science 

in Computer Science he travelled to the U.S. permanently to seek more opportunities. 

 “I love traveling,” said Morgan. “What I love is 

seeing new things, learning different languages, 

eating new and different food and just experience 

different cultures as a whole.”

 He travels so much that when he enlisted in the 

military just last year and attended Basic Combat 

Training (BCT), a 10-week course where new Soldiers learn basic warrior tasks and combat skills, his 

parents thought he was just on another excursion 

with little to no connectivity. They didn’t believe 

him until he sent a picture of himself donning his 

new army combat uniform and shaved head. 

 After that, and before joining the 1017th, he 

Soldier born in Mexico finds success in Army Reserve 

Story by Sgt. Krista Rayford

367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

U.S. Army Reserve Pvt. Manuel 

Morgan, 1017th Quartermaster 

Company, Camp Pendleton, 

Calif., gauges the amount of fuel 

remaining in a M969 at Tactical Assembly Area Schoonover 

during Combat Support Training 

Exercise 91-16-02 on June 20, 

2016, Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif. 

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Krista 

L. Rayford, 367th Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment)

U.S. Army Reserve Pvt. Manuel Morgan, 1017th Quartermaster Company, Camp Pendleton, Calif., fills fuel 

cans at Tactical Assembly Area Schoonover during 

Combat Support Training Exercise 91-16-02 on June 

20, 2016, Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif. (U.S. Army photo 

by Sgt. Krista L. Rayford, 367th Mobile Public Affairs 

Detachment)

became certified in his military occupation specialty 

of petroleum supply specialist after 11 weeks of onthe-job instruction at Fort Lee, Virginia. 

 “I wanted to prove that I can do anything that I 

put my mind to,” said Morgan.

 He is also constantly seeking additional leadership and education opportunities. Morgan said 

that he would like to research other careers in the 

military to broaden his skill-set, like finance or human resources, and possibly even become a commissioned officer. He had considered becoming an 

officer as soon as he enlisted because of his degree 

but wanted to be part of the organization and start 

working as quickly as possible.

 “He is a leader and there is no limit at how far 

he can go,” said Spc. Eugene Pedriguez. “He’s very 

smart and has taught me things I didn’t know.” 

 In his cool, collected manner, Morgan said he 

knows what has made him a better person and that’s 

being a Soldier. He credits the U.S. Army Reserve 

for the traits for which makes him successful in his 

civilian work. 

 “It made me on time, reliable and organized,” 

said Morgan. “I can’t thank the Army enough for 

giving me skills that I can apply to my civilian life. It 

has made me better.”
34 The Falcon Summer 2016 35

 311th ESC

Vehicles from the 729th Transportation Company at the Fresno U.S. Army Reserve Center begin their drive in the 

Nationwide Move exercise that will take them through five states and onto Operation Maple Resolve, which is being 

conducted at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, east of Edmonton, Canada. The Nationwide Move exercise is an 

opportunity for transportation units throughout the U.S. Army to use their driving skills.

FRESNO, Calif. – First Lt. Kyle Brown, commander 

of the 729th Transportation Company, and Master 

Sgt. Brian Carlin, 729th TC noncommissioned officer in-charge, organized and led their transportation unit through a Nationwide Move exercise, May 

8, that took them through five states and to Operation Maple Resolve, which is being conducted at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, east of Edmonton, 

Canada.

 Operation Maple Resolve is the Canadian Forces 

largest training exercise of the year. The aim of this 

operation is to not only get the troops working with 

their international counterparts, but to give them a 

taste of what life is like during battle.

 The Nationwide Move exercise is an opportunity 

for transportation units throughout the U.S. Army 

The 729th Transportation Company 

Drives Nationwide Move

to give their Soldiers a chance to rehearse their 

speed, efficiency and tactical effectiveness in a realworld transportation mission. This mission is part 

of many other Annual Training exercises.

 “This is a great mission for us because it gives 

us a chance to work with our NATO counterparts,” 

said Brown. “We hope to travel at least 300 miles 

a day, staying at various Reserve and Army bases 

along the way.”

 The unit staged the operation at the Fresno U.S. 

Army Reserve Center, where Soldiers and convoys 

met before the big push, including vehicles and 

equipment from the 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison 

Company, who conducted joint operations with the 

Canadians.

Story by Capt. Fernando Ochoa

311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) CAMP ROBERTS, Calif. – Logistics 

keeps Soldiers in the fight, and whether a 

deployment to a combat zone or training 

exercise like the Combat Support Training 

Exercise 91-16-02, the 311th Sustainment 

Command (Expeditionary) stands ready 

to bring world class support to the force. 

 “This is a command and staff training 

exercise allowing our U.S. Army Reserve 

Soldiers and subordinate commands to 

work together,” said Capt. Shelly Carey. 

“We learn how to operate together so we 

can provide sustainment to supported 

units throughout the battle space.” Carey, 

a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, 

is the officer in charge of the multi-class 

section for the Support Operations section. “SPO provides external support 

to the maneuver elements on the battle 

space. We work with the sustainment brigades and combat sustainment support 

battalions who coordinate with the brigade support 

battalions from the brigade combat teams,” said Carey. 

“That is how the commodities flow.”

 This was the annual training event for the 311th 

ESC this year. It takes place over the course of three 

weeks and is a critical training experience, since there 

is a limited amount of time during U.S. Army Reserve 

Soldiers’ monthly battle assemblies. 

 “The unit learns a lot during exercises this. It is one 

of the only times we can train on our core mission 

essential task list,” said Carey. “The SPO section is the 

tip of the spear within the sustainment command at 

every level. The heavy lifting goes on in our section.”

 For Soldiers who work in the SPO section, the 

exercise presents an opportunity to learn new skills, 

such as operating the Command Post of the Future. 

Sgt. Jennifer Osborn, a radar repair technician and 

Iowa native, said attending the training was a valuable 

experience. “It was an important thing to learn how to 

fully use all of our systems that pull data into CPOF 

so we can prepare briefs.” said Osborn. “Some Soldiers 

were not able to attend the week-long training, but I 

was able to show them what I had learned.”

 In order to ensure that supply lines can remain open 

and transportation assets are kept out of harm’s way, 

the SPO relies on other staff sections for an accurate 

picture of the battlefield. The intelligence section is 

responsible for analyzing intelligence and putting together products that help commanders make informed 

decisions. 

 “The trend analysis we perform is important to our 

subordinate commands,” said Spc. Anthony Ramirez, 

intelligence analyst. “It helps to determine which 

routes are safer and what the best time of day is to 

travel for the convoys.”

 For Ramirez, a native of Chino, California, this is 

his first experience with a large training exercise after 

completing advanced individual training. This was an 

opportunity to build upon what he was taught.

 “School teaches us the basics of intelligence analysis. They don’t specifically cover sustainment units or 

working at this echelon of command,” said Ramirez.

 “The biggest thing I learned is work as team and 

help everyone out,” said Osborn. “Empower everyone 

to do the best job they can.”

Training to Sustain the Warfighter

Story by Capt. Christina Wright

311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

Spc. Kyle Maloney explains the intelligence analysis process to the 

Honorable Debra S. Wada, Assistant Secretary of the Army, 

Manpower and Reserve Affairs, June 16, 2016, in the 311th 

Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) operations center, Camp Roberts, Calif. (U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Gregg Moore)
36 The Falcon Summer 2016 37

Story by Maj. Marvin Baker

364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

 364th ESC

WARSAW, Poland – Anakonda 16 has been described by many in the Polish and U.S. military as a 

multi-national exercise that demonstrates an alliance in Europe between Poland and other NATO 

countries. Furthermore, it tests the ability of approximately 12,000 U.S. troops spread across 15 

sites in Poland and Germany, with an additional 

12,000 Allied Nation troops ability to deploy to an 

austere environment to fend off any adversary. But 

even this all-encompassing description inadequately 

captures the complete benefits of Anakonda 16. 

 The scale of the two-week exercise, which started 

June 7, provided essential training and experience 

for the Soldiers in the 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). 

 “This exercise is the first of it’s kind in 25 years 

and the size of this exercise challenges an ESC,” said 

Brig. Gen. Gregory Mosser, 364th ESC commanding general. “The training value of Anakonda 16 is 

that we are doing a real-world mission. Here, if we 

fail to deliver our mission, people go without food 

and without ammunition,” Mosser said. 

 In order to set the stage for Anakonda 16, logisticians in the 364th ESC deployed to Poland nearly 

one month before the start of the exercise. The 

unit’s mission began at its home station where the 

Soldiers prepared their equipment for shipment by 

sea and air, carefully scheduling the arrival so that 

Soldiers would be available in Poland to meet the 

equipment and prepare it for onward movement. 

After ESC Soldiers ensured their own equipment 

that included work tents, office equipment and tactical vehicles arrived safely; they quickly set up their 

operations center near Warsaw. 

 The operations center was the hub for all sustainment activity throughout Poland. The 364th ESC’s 

primary job during Anakonda 16 was command 

and control of all sustainment operations. It is a 

critical element of any military operation to know 

what, when and where supplies are moving within 

the area of operations. Maneuver commanders rely 

on the critical life and combat-sustaining efforts 

of Army Reserve units like the 364th ESC. In fact, 

nearly 80 percent of all sustainment and logistics 

capabilities are held in the Army Reserve and Army 

National Guard. 

 Anakonda 16 was truly a Total Army exercise, 

especially for sustainment operations. One of the 

primary benefits included real-world training. 

When Soldiers are put in realistic situations that 

force them to think through all the nuances of their 

job, it can motivate them to remain in the military 

and increase enthusiasm for their work. Typically, 

logisticians practice their skills through computer 

simulations or small-scale exercises at a U.S.-based 

training center. “We are not just going through the 

checklist to establish a fuel farm. Our Soldiers are 

actually setting up a fuel farm,” Mosser said. 

36 The Falcon

Army Reserve Logistics Plays Integral Role for European Exercise Anakonda 16

 During the 

exercise, the 364th 

ESC was responsible for more 

than 35 sustainment units that 

managed supply 

yards and rail port 

operations in Zagan and Drawsko 

Pomorski, seaport 

operations in 

Szczecin and ammunition supply 

points. The units 

came from the 

Army National 

Guard, active Army, and the Army Reserve 

and included three of the ESC organic 

subordinate units; the 483rd Quartermaster Company, the 909th Human Resources 

Company and the 592nd Ordnance Company. 

 The 592nd OC, along with ordnance 

Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division 

were jointly responsible for receiving and 

maintaining all the ammunition used in the 

exercise. Soldiers in the 909th worked their 

The 364th ESC supported Anakonda; 16 May 9 

through June 17 in Poland. Its mission included 

theater opening activities such as receiving unit equipment at the Gdansk Airport and preparing the cargo for 

onward movement. 

SUMMER 2016 37

Continued on page 38
38 The Falcon Summer 2016 39

personnel management skills as they tracked every 

U.S. service member entering Poland in support of 

Anakonda 16. The contingent from 483rd Quartermaster 

Company kept Soldiers fed and housed as they ensured there was more than enough food available on 

the life support areas near Drawsko Pomorskie. 

 Anakonda 16 is a prime example of the U.S. 

Army’s Total Force initiative. The exercise used the 

unique abilities all three Army components aimed 

at supporting an overarching goal. It also demonstrated the critical role sustainment operations plays 

in increasing combat unit’s ability to speed across 

the battlefield without concerns of supply lines 

keeping up the pace. 

 “This exercise caused us to do a lot more work 

than we might do during a simulation, but it also 

increased our training value and individual Soldiers’ 

readiness more than anything we could have got in 

the U.S.,” Mosser said.

Col. William Stubbs, 30th Medical Brigade Commander, 

welcomes from left to right: Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, U.S. 

Army Europe Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Greg 

Mosser, 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) 

Commanding General, and Maj. Gen. Duane Gamble, 

21st Theater Sustainment Command Commanding 

General, to the 30th MB headquarters in Warsaw, Poland on June 9.

The 364th ESC Commanding General, Brig. Gen. 

Gregory Mosser, conducts an interview with Armed 

Forces Network and other media outlets to discuss the 

critical sustainment role the ESC plays during Anakonda 

16; June 8.

Sustainment and logistics Soldiers in the 364th ESC’s 

592nd Ordnance Company and the 483rd Quartermaster Company were responsible for managing supply 

yards and ammunition supply points for the more than 

12,000 U.S. service members participating in Anakonda 

16; June 7 through June 17 in Poland.

Sustainment and logistics Soldiers in the 364th ESC’s 

592nd Ordnance Company and the 483rd Quartermaster Company were responsible for managing supply 

yards and ammunition supply points for the more than 

12,000 U.S. service members participating in Anakonda 

16; June 7 through June 17 in Poland.

Continued from page 37

 364th ESC

WARSAW, Poland – U.S. Army Reserve, and U.S 

Army Europe Soldiers competed alongside Polish 

army Soldiers in a Marksmanship competition at 

the Warszawsk Brygada Range May 28, 2016.

 Eight U.S. Army 

competitors fired Polish 

army weapons including 

the FB Beryl rifle and 

the WIST-94 handgun 

against another team of 

eight Polish soldiers.

 The competition was 

organized as an early 

celebration of Veteran of 

Overseas Military Activities’ Day, which falls on 

May 29. 

 Many veterans and 

service members were 

invited to shoot the 

weapons and test their 

aiming proficiencies. 

 “All the guests here 

today are veterans, and 

great veterans from 

missions in Afghanistan 

and all other missions, 

and our commander has 

also invited U.S. Forces 

to take part in this competition to check your 

skills,” said Pfc. Mircim 

Jasek, with 1st Warsaw 

Armored Brigade, who 

volunteered to come out 

and translate instructions 

for the U.S. Army competitors. 

 “I think the communications are going really 

well, as you can see, we can speak freely and everything is ok,” said Jasek.

 “They are giving us really good directions, telling 

us how to fire the weapons, telling us how many 

rounds we have, and what the commands actually 

are on the range, so they’ve been really helpful,” said 

competitor and Sgt. Ashley Redd, an Information 

Technology Specialist, with the 324th Expeditionary 

Signal Battalion, based in Fort Warden, Georgia.

 The event was a good break 

for the U.S. Soldiers who got to 

get away from the usual work 

and interact with Polish Forces.

 “I hope to get a good experience, have a little bit of competition, and have a little bit of 

fun since we have been doing 

nothing but work, so it’s nice 

to be out here on the range and 

actually be able to shoot,” said 

Redd.

 The marksmanship competition was great for getting 

Soldiers from different forces 

a chance to try different weapons and see how another army 

operates on a range.

 “This training will support 

our Polish army by letting us 

know your procedures, taking 

us closer to your language, and 

for your Soldiers, so they will 

know our weapons better,” said 

Jasek. 

 The competition was also an 

opportunity to build interoperability and friendships, which 

are important in keeping 

healthy alliances abroad.

 “The interoperability is really the main reason we’re doing this, making friends and relationships, and also, 

reassurance,” said Sgt. Maj. James Musnicki, 30th 

Medical Brigade operations sergeant major who has 

two of his Soldiers in the competition.

364th ESC Soldiers take aim at Anakonda 16

Story and photos by Sgt. Daniel Lybeck

364th ESC Public Affairs

Polish Army Pfc. Mircim Jasek, a translator, with 1st 

Warsaw Armored Brigade, gives instructions to U.S. 

Army Sgt. Joseph Pischieri, a medic with the 30th 

Medical Brigade, located in Wiesbaden, Germany.

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Ashley Redd, an Information Technology Specialist, with 324th Expeditionary 

Signal Battalion, based at Fort Warden, Ga., loads 

a 5.56 Beryl Rifle during a friendly marksmanship 

competition with Polish Army Soldiers.
40 The Falcon Summer 2016 41

 364th ESC

WARSAW, Poland – Children lined 

the windows of the small elementary school in Warsaw, Poland, waving and smiling as five U.S. Army 

Reserve Soldiers approached the 

building. As soon as the front door 

opened, the troops were greeted by 

a group of students shouting in English, “welcome to our school!” 

 The 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Soldiers, 

training in Poland during the 

exercise Anakonda 2016, visited the 

elementary school June 16 to discuss the differences and similarities 

between the two countries and give 

the students an opportunity to practice English. 

 Anakonda 16 is one of Poland and 

U.S. Army Europe’s premier multinational training events, which features 

24 nations and seeks to train, exercise and integrate 

Polish national command and force structures into 

an allied, joint, multinational environment. 

 The five U.S. troops spoke to three groups of 

children between kindergarten and sixth grade at 

Tadeusz Kościuszko Elementary School #174. They 

discussed where each of them lived in the United 

States, their hobbies, jobs and families. The children 

then asked the troops questions ranging from their 

favorite food to combat experience.

 “I loved the questions they had because it was 

funny to think that if I were a kid, I would totally 

ask the same thing like ‘what food do you eat,’ ‘what 

do you do for fun,’ ‘what’s your dog’s name?’” said 

said Sgt. Jennifer Hoeppner, a human resource administrator. “I wish I was able to do that sort thing 

with other cultures when I was that age.” 

 “I thought it would be a good idea to have someUSAR Soldiers Leave Lasting Impression on Polish Community

one who speaks English come so the children could 

have some contact with the English language,” said 

Oscar Mazzotti, the school’s English and Spanish 

teacher who wrote a letter to the U.S. troops inviting 

them. 

 The teacher, a Peru-native, explained the importance of speaking multiple languages.

 “My teachers were American teachers, actually, 

in Peru, and so with my own experience I know 

what it takes to learn another language,” said Mazzotti. “Even though I thought, ‘oh, I will never learn, 

and this and that,’ it stays in your mind, and that’s 

why it was very important for the children to have 

this contact with [the Soldiers].”

 Tadeusz Kościuszko Elementary School #174 has 

a much smaller class size than traditional Polish 

schools and specializes in special and behavioral 

needs, explained Mazzotti. He also commented 

many of the children’s parents or other family memStory by Sgt. Kayla Benson

364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers with the 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) training in Warsaw, Poland, for Anakonda 2016, meet with Polish 

students at Tadeusz Kościuszko Elementary School #174, June 16 to 

discuss the similarities between the two countries and give the children an 

opportunity to practice English.

bers serve in the Polish Army as either active duty 

or in a reserve component. 

 Capt. A. Sean Taylor, a medical logistician 

and public affairs officer, compared the farmland 

throughout Poland to his hometown of Ames, Iowa. 

Hoeppner demonstrated some of the Polish phrases 

she learned while participating in Anakonda 

16. 

 “I had visited a lot of schools and done a 

lot of work with civil affairs [in Iraq] with 

donations and dropping off school supplies, 

that sort of thing, so I had worked with local 

populations from other countries before,” 

said Hoeppner. “It’s always exciting to see 

kids, and it’s fun and challenging at the same 

time to talk to them.”

 The second and third graders presented 

the Reserve speakers with several drawings 

depicting Soldiers, tanks, U.S. Flags and other 

American themes. After the final class, Mazzotti gave a book about Warsaw to the 

troops and a letter thanking them for their 

visit. The Soldiers then explained the tradition 

of trading uniform patches and presented the 

364th ESC unit patch, along with rank, nameplates and other insignia, to 

Polish students at Tadeusz Kościuszko Elementary School #174, 

Warsaw, Poland, ask questions about life in America during a school 

visit by U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers.

Capt. A. Sean Taylor, a medical logistician and public affairs officer with the 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) during Anakonda 2016, shows off student art work 

during a visit with Polish students at Tadeusz Kościuszko 

Elementary School #174 in Warsaw.

Mazzotti on behalf of the unit. 

 “The reaction was very positive, 

exciting for them, and I think they 

are very happy to have you,” 

Mazzotti said to the Soldiers.

 Before the Reserve Soldiers 

left the school, multiple students 

approached them and asked for 

autographs and photographs. 

 “I know the children will remember you. They will remember 

your faces also, maybe not your 

names, but they will remember 

your faces and the kind way you’ve 

been speaking to them,” Mazzotti 

told the troops. “You’re going to 

leave a very positive impression.”

 Whether or not the children 

could speak English or the Soldiers 

speak Polish, it was clear the similarities between 

the two nations were vast and the partnership built 

by opportunities like this one, provided by Anakonda 16, would leave a lasting impression on both 

parties.
42 The Falcon Summer 2016 43

 364th ESC

Story by Maj. Marvin Baker

364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command

EVERETT, Washington – Nearly 

100 military service members 

from the Army Reserve, Active 

Army and U.S. Navy gathered at 

Naval Station Everett in Washington to compete for the German 

Armed Forces Proficiency Badge 

April 12-14. 

 The GAFPB is a decoration of 

the Armed Forces of the Federal 

Republic of Germany. 

 To earn the badge, service 

members must pass testing in 

two categories, basic fitness and 

military training. Fitness tests 

include short and long distance 

sprints and a timed flexed-arm 

hang. Military training is a 100-meter swim in uniform, a Combat Lifesaver written test, a 9mm pistol 

qualification and a road march up to seven and a 

half miles with a 35-pound rucksack. 

 The physical training test differs from the U.S. 

military test in several ways. However, there are 

some similarities. 

 “The main difference between the German event 

and the U.S. Army Physical Training test is that the 

German test is done as a team,” said German Armed 

Forces Command Sgt. Major. Ronald Schiller of the 

liaison office. “This really is a team-building test,” he 

added. 

 The competition occurred over three days. During the first day, the competitors completed three 

track and field events that included a 1,000-meter 

sprint, eleven 10-meter sprints and an endurance 

flexed-arm hang before they headed to the pool to 

do a few laps. 

 “The swimming is the hardest part,” Schiller said. 

“Many people are not fast technical swimmers. You 

have to be able to swim for four minutes with your 

uniform on,” Schiller added. 

 Each event is designed to test a Soldier’s fitness 

during common combat scenarios. Shooting, sprinting, and swimming in open water are all situations a 

Soldier might face.

 “American Soldiers are very fit,” Schiller said. “I 

oversee this event in all of the U.S. and see firsthand 

their commitment and fitness.” 

 Spc. Patrick Welch of the 17th Field Artillery Brigade, who traveled from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, 

demonstrated his commitment to earn the badge by 

practicing and preparing for the physically challenging events weeks before the start. 

 “I wanted to push and challenge myself. The 

swimming event was especially difficult,” Welch 

said. “That’s why we practiced and prepared ourselves weeks before the start of the event.”

 Welch said he brought six fellow Soldiers from 

his maintenance section to compete in the event. 

Sgt. Ian Pelky of the 364th Sustainment Command 

(Expeditionary) came to the event with a battle 

buddy from the signal section who learned of the 

Army Master Sgt. Rosalind Fennell of the 13th Battalion, Army Reserve 

Careers Division in Salt Lake City, Utah, competed in the 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and 7th Bn., ARCD’s second annual German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge event to lead by example and inspire 

Soldiers to do more. 

German “PT” Test offers Joint Services Opportunity to Compete 

challenge just a few days 

before the event. 

 “I did not know about 

the event until a few days 

ago from Sgt. Pelky,” said 

Staff Sgt. Matthew Peterson. “It sounded like 

something I wanted to 

jump onboard with,” he 

added. 

 “It is pretty motivating 

training to another military’s standards,” Pelky 

added. 

 Both Solders said the 

swimming was the most 

challenging event, but would eagerly trade it for the 

Army PT test sit-ups. Both expected the ruck march 

would be the easiest event for them. Peterson said 

he earned the silver medal, but would try again for 

the gold next year. 

 Twenty-two service members earned the gold, 

30 the silver badge and 16 earned bronze badges, 

which were presented during a closing ceremony at 

Naval Station Everett. 

 Soldiers can sign up for the event each year and 

try for a higher medal or to increase their results. 

This is the second year that the 364th ESC and 

the 7th Battalion, Army Reserve Careers Division 

Nearly 100 military service members from the Army Reserve, Active Army and U.S. Navy gather at Naval Station 

Everett to compete for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge April 12-14.

conducted the event 

in Snohomish County, 

Washington. 

 “The GAFPB brings 

people together from the 

Navy, Active Duty and 

Army Reserve to compete at the same level,” 

Master Shaun Sgt. Collins, a career counselor 

with the 364th ESC said. 

 Collins participated 

in the event last year and 

earned a silver medal. “I 

first wanted to compete 

again this year for the 

gold, but the event needed a planner, someone who 

knew how it all worked and what need to be done,” 

Collins said. 

 Leaders in the 364th ESC like Collins encourage 

all Soldiers to take a look around their units and 

take advantage of all the physical, educational, and 

leadership opportunities around them. 

 “We hope this kind of event is a water cooler activity for Soldiers, something they will talk about for 

days with their buddies,” Collins said. “This is the 

kind of event that brought Soldiers into the Army 

and will keep them in the Army Reserve,” he added.
44 The Falcon Summer 2016 45

Brig. Gen. Gregory J. Mosser, left of center, and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas P. Brashears, right of center, pose 

with six enlisted Soldiers from the 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)’s Best Warrior Competition at Joint 

Base Lewis-McChord March 2-5. The multi-day event tested Soldiers’ physical and mental stamina.

 364th ESC

Story by Maj. Marvin Baker

364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – The 

364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), an 

Army Reserve unit headquartered in Marysville, 

Washington, held its annual Best Warrior Competition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, March 2-5.

 The BWC is an endurance event that assesses 

Soldiers’ performance in physically and mentally 

challenging events related to military knowledge 

and warrior training. Six Soldiers from the ESC’s 

subordinate units (the 654th Regional Support 

Group, 652nd Regional Support Group and the 96th 

Sustainment Brigade) competed in the event along 

with their sponsors. 

 After three days of events that pushed their limits 

both physically and mentally, Army Reserve Soldiers Spc. Daniel Kovitch of the 654th RSG, and Sgt. 

Justin Morton of the 654th RSG came out as winners in their rank-based categories. Later in April, 

Kovitch and Morton tested themselves again at the 

79th Sustainment Command (Support)’s BWC.

 The unit’s BWC started with a standard Army 

Physical Fitness Test followed by a foot patrol mission through a mock urban combat site. Rough 

terrain, bitter cold, slashing rain, and the noise of 

simulated gunfire and explosion added to the stress 

of the first day’s events. Additionally, Soldiers had 

Soldiers in the 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) push themselves 

through a physical event during the unit’s Best Warrior Competition held at Joint 

Base Lewis-McChord March 2-5.

Warriors Can Call Themselves the “Best” of the 364th ESC

to help a simulated casualty with first aid and use 

their field radios to request 

medical evacuation. The 

events are based on what a 

Solider might face during 

actual combat. 

 One of the competitors, 

Spc. Chrisangel Moronta, 

a 20-year-old culinary specialist from the 96th Sustainment Brigade’s 146th 

Transportation Company 

in Ogden, Utah, said he’d 

never previously thought 

about entering the BWC. 

“You don’t see a lot of 

cooks going out and doing stuff like this,” Moronta 

said. “It’s really cool. It’s like 

going through basic training 

again - redoing all the tasks 

you learned with muscle 

memory.”

 Moronta said he devoted much of his personal 

time to prepare for the event. He works in his 

Reserve unit one weekend per month but now his 

goal is to re-enter active duty. He entered the competition to prove to himself that he had the physical 

stamina to maintain an active-duty lifestyle. 

 “I’m trying to make a good impression here for 

myself, my peers and my bosses. I’m all in here,” 

said Moronta. 

 The BWC helps instill in Soldiers personal courage, self-confidence, and self-discipline while promoting physical and mental resilience that carries 

over to other military pursuits. Moronta takes some 

of those attributes over to his civilian life as a leader 

in his community and the Boy Scouts of America. 

 “I am a Scout Master in my community,” he said. 

“I get to teach young men things that I learned in 

my military training. The experience has been very 

beneficial for me.”

 During the BWC, Soldiers also build esprit de 

corps and pride in not only their individual accomplishments, but also in the accomplishments of the 

unit as a whole.

 “This is hugely important. This event is part of 

the overall spectrum of leadership training,” Command Sgt. Major Thomas Brashears of the 364th 

ESC said. During the event, Soldiers also fired small 

arms and practiced taking their weapons apart 

quickly and properly. 

 At the end of the event, Moronta took runner up 

in his category.

 “I have a passion for this. I love it,” he said. 

“Whether I win or not, I’m just honored to be here.”
46 The Falcon Summer 2016 47

Story and photos by 1st. Lt. Valencia Scott

451st Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

 451st ESC

FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. 

– Known for being the 

home of the U.S. Army’s 

Intelligence Center and the 

U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology 

Command (NETCOM), 

Fort Huachuca, Arizona, 

temporarily became home 

for one of the largest 

logistics operations for 

two weeks while Reserve 

Soldiers conducted annual 

training. 

 The Quartermaster 

Liquid Logistics Exercise 

(QLLEX), a multifunctional 

exercise that incorporates 

real-world training in fuel 

and water supply, began 

June 11 at Fort Huachuca, 

Arizona, with over 400 

Reserve Soldiers paticipating. 

 More than 200 Soldiers from the 451st 

Expeditionary Sustainment Command, both from 

the 561st Regional Support Group and the 89th 

Sustainment Brigade, participated in this large 

annual exercise. Soldiers from the 383rd 

Quartermaster Company, based out of Weldon 

Springs, Missouri, had 120 Soldiers attend QLLEX 

with the primary mission of building a Fuel System 

Supply Point (FSSP) during the exercise.

 An FSSP, also known as a fuel farm, takes an 

average of two to three days to assemble and at least 

50 people. “It’s like putting together a big puzzle,” 

said Cpl. Eric Martin, a fuel specialist from Sedalia, 

Missouri. The hoses come in several sizes have to be 

at least 50 feet apart for safety reasons and to allow 

room for trucks to navigate through.

 The hoses are connected to the trucks carrying 

the fuel and a pump that drives the fuel into large 

bags at a rate of 350 gallons per minute. “Once in 

bags, we will recirculate the fuel and issue to customers,” said Spc. Xueqin Lin, a petroleum supply 

specialist of Weldon Springs, Missouri. However, 

prior to being pumped and given to customers, the 

samples of the fuel must be given to a petroleum 

laboratory specialist who tests for sediments, 

microorganisms and general quality assurance.

 The 383rd Quartermaster Company has the 

equipment to build an FSSP capable of holding 

300,000 gallons of fuel, however for the purposes of 

the exercise, they assembled a fuel farm that 

supported 150,000 gallons of fuel. “In a forward 

environment, this would supply three days’ worth of 

Soldiers Provide Fuel, Transportation, and Maintenance for QLLEX

Soldiers from the 561st Regional Support Group conduct maintenance 

of tankers during the Quartermaster Liquid Logistics Exercise (QLLEX), 

June 15, 2016. Pvt. 1st Class Tyler Giammasi, of Wichita, Kan., works 

to fix a blown tire seal on a tanker. 

Cpt. Jacob Wood, commander of the 425th Transportation Company, 

briefs Col. John Phillips, rear commander of the 451st ESC, on what 

his unit has accomplished so far during QLLEX.

fuel for an entire area of operation,” 

said Sgt. Aaron Forrister.

 In the same area of operation were 

approximately 123 combined Soldiers from the 129th, 369th and 425th 

Transportation Companies also supporting QLLEX. These Soldiers began 

training as soon as they left Kansas as 

they drove nearly 1,100 miles to Fort 

Huachuca, which took nearly three 

days of travel. “It provides great driver’s 

training,” said Staff Sgt. Jimmy Gartin, 

the noncommissioned officer in charge 

of the 425th Transportation Company 

based out of Salina, Kansas.

 Driving was not the only real-world 

training the Soldiers conducted while at 

Fort Huachuca. The long-distance drive 

and high temperatures during QLLEX 

took a toll on the vehicles, which 

allowed the wheeled vehicle mechanics 

to practice vehicle maintenance. One 

tanker had a blown seal and several 

Soldiers worked together to change the 

seal under the supervision of Gartin. 

 Col. John Phillips, the rear commander of the 451st Sustainment 

Command (Expeditionary), and 

Command Sgt. Maj. Donald 

Langworthy, also of the 451st ESC, 

visited the Soldiers conducting QLLEX 

on June 16, 2016. 

 Col. Paul Hettich, the brigade commander of the 561st Regional Support 

Group also attended to see what 

Soldiers were accomplishing and to offer support. 

 Cpt. Jacob Wood, commander of 

the 425th Transportation Company, 

briefed Col. Phillips and Command Sgt. Maj. Langworthy, on what his unit completed since they began 

annual training. Despite the harsh desert temperatures of Arizona, the Soldiers maintained motivation and 

gained valuable logistics training.

Soldiers from the 383rd Quartermaster Company assembled their Fuel 

System Supply Point (FSSP) in support of the annual Quartermaster Liquid 

Logistics Exercise (QLLEX).
48 The Falcon Summer 2016 49

Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Naurys Marte

451st Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

 451st ESC

1st Sustainment Command (Theater) Integrates Logistics Automation Systems

BAHRAIN – The automation 

management officer with the 

1st Sustainment Command 

(Theater) visited rotational 

units in Bahrain to ensure their 

readiness, to track and account 

for parts, vehicles and equipment using the Standard Army 

Maintenance System- Level 1 

Enhanced, May 30 to June 1, 

2016. 

 Chief Warrant Officer 3 Francisco Villarreal is the automation management officer with 

the 1st TSC who is responsible 

for ensuring the integration 

of logistics systems within the 

command. “Envision manually 

tracking more than 800,000 

parts and vehicles, needing 

repair, from different geographical locations. 

 “Without a logistics system to 

track parts, and equipment needing repairs, logisticians and commanders would 

probably fail critical missions in the battlefield,” said 

Villarreal.

 SAMS-E is one of the systems integrated with the 

Global Combat Support System – Army. GCSS-Army is becoming the primary tactical logistics system 

to help achieve the automation goals through integration of various supply chain systems.

 “Logistics automation is vital to sustainment operations,” said Villarreal.  Tracking every step of the 

process from preventive maintenance to repairing 

and dispatching, from a single source, is one of the 

goals of logistics automation, Villarreal explained.

 With SAMS-E, the process begins when the 

vehicle or equipment operator performs preventive 

maintenance checks and services. 

 “Vehicle, equipment and generators must have 

PMCS daily.  We do not want any of these vehicles 

to go down,” said Spc. Chrystal Hailey, automated 

logistics specialist with the 1st Battalion, 62nd Air 

Defense Artillery Regiment. “If the motor sergeant 

or the Soldiers doing PMCS find something wrong 

with any equipment, they have to come to the 

SAMS-E clerks so we can log it in the system.”

 Haley has been deployed for two years as the 

field maintenance team SAMS-E clerk.  After her 

advanced individual training, she attended specific 

SAMS-E training to specialize in the equipment 

and software.  Through SAMS-E, her unit is able to 

log and track the vehicles and equipment needing 

Soldiers identify a defective part during a vehicle repair task, before submitting 

a part request through the Standard Army Maintenance System-Level 1 Enhanced or SAMS-1E clerks at a motor pool May 31, 2016, in Bahrain. SAMS1E is an automated maintenance management system used throughout the 

U.S. Army components at the unit level to manage vehicles and equipment 

maintenance actions, workloads and resources. 

upkeep, the parts needed to perform the repairs, 

the man hour utilization, issue drivers licenses and 

generate historical reports.

 The process continues when the wheeled vehicle 

mechanic receives a repair request, along with a 

faulty vehicle or equipment.  

 “I love figuring out what is wrong with the vehicles so I can fix it,” said Spc. Oscar Muniz, wheeled 

vehicle mechanic, with Bravo Company, 1-62nd 

ADA.  “Some of us specialize in vehicles, others in 

generators among other equipment that needs to be 

fixed.” 

 As the maintenance is taking place, the mechanics 

identify any parts needed and notify the SAMS-E 

clerks. 

 “SAMS-E clerks submit the requests and it all 

trickles down from there and we get it through GCSS-Army,” said Sgt. 1st Class Caroline M. Colomer, 

supply support activity noncommissioned officer in 

charge, with 1st Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment.  

 At the supply support activity, or SSA, warehouse 

the automated logistics specialists receive the request—in real time—and quickly look through their 

inventory ensuring the parts needed are available 

and ready for dispatch. 

 “It’s a time factor to be able to log into a computer 

and see the parts that are available right away,” said 

Sgt. 1st Class Cesar Guerra, automated logistics specialist with the 1-62 Air Defense Artillery Battalion.

 The SSA in Bahrain is already using the GCSSArmy system and they have seen a difference in the 

operations of tracking and dispatching parts using 

the system, said Guerra. The system provides access 

to improved warehouse management functionality, 

such as stock look-up capabilities, bin-to-bin moves, 

and warehouse activity monitoring.  

 “Eventually all the systems will be going through 

GCSS-Army,” said Colomer. “Before, we had so 

many systems to enter data and track information. It 

is best to have everyone on the same sheet of music, 

even if we will all need more training.” 

 SAMS-E is one of three systems in the GCSSArmy’s wave 2 conversion. The other two programs 

are Property Book Unit and Supply Enhanced and 

General Fund Enterprise Business System, Villarreal 

said.

Soldiers work at the supply support activity warehouse 

inventory equipment and vehicle parts May 31, 2016, 

in Bahrain. The parts on-hand must match the inventory logged in the GCSS-Army system. GCSS-Army 

and SAMS-1E are integrated automation maintenance 

management systems used throughout U.S. Army 

components at the unit level to manage vehicles and 

equipment parts, stock look-up, bin-to-bin moves, and 

warehouse activity monitoring. 
50 The Falcon Summer 2016 51

KUWAIT –As the petroleum laboratory specialists 

and the inspector from the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) walk into the lab (a mobile trailer 

called the Petroleum Quality Analysis SystemEnhanced) they smile at the smell of fuel as if they 

just entered a coffee shop. The lab holds all the 

equipment needed to perform quality surveillance 

testing of bulk fuel allowing petroleum laboratory 

specialists, or PLSs, to begin testing samples within 

120 minutes of arrival to a deployed environment. 

The inside of the lab is well lit, ventilated, clean and 

organized to allow the PLSs to reach most fuel testing tools within arm’s length.

 From the perspective of support operations, 

fuel, like water and ammunition, is one of the most 

important supplies needed to sustain the force in 

the battlefield. And, before supplying the fuel to the 

force, PLSs perform a variety of testing to ensure 

the fuel meets the prescribed standards of the 

American Society for Testing and Materials, and the 

MIL-STD-3004: Quality Assurance/Surveillance for 

Fuels, Lubricants and Related Products.

 The 1st TSC ensures the fuel testing laboratory 

and the PLSs meet these standards. U.S. Army Spc. 

Christian M. Valencia and Spc. Terek E. Taylor, 

both petroleum laboratory specialists with Alpha 

Company, 640th Aviation Sustainment Battalion, 

40th Combat Aviation Brigade, California Army 

National Guard, are ready for the task. Their enthusiasm about their job shows from the moment they 

shake your hand to the way they show and explain 

the process of their work. 

 “We have to test for many contaminants in the 

fuel, such as water, rust, dust and sediments. And 

also for additives and volatility, as well as thermal 

properties of the samples we receive,” said Valencia. 

“Rust and sand are the most common contaminants 

in the fuel we’ve tested.” 

 While holding a fuel sample container which he 

grabbed from a corner of the trailer, Valencia said 

that they’ve tested an average of 100 sample containers per month since December 2015. “We get fuel 

Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Naurys Marte

451st Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

 451st ESC

The Special Force Behind the Fuel Lab

U.S. Army Spc. Terek E. Taylor, petroleum laboratory 

specialist with Alpha Company, 640th Aviation Sustainment Battalion, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, performs quality surveillance of fuel received, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) 

performs laboratory inspections quarterly and annually. 

for testing from coalition forces, Afghanistan, Iraq, 

Kuwait and many other places,” added Valencia.

 Although Valencia speaks about his job with 

conviction, he ensured his manual was within reach 

before he started any testing procedure. “We have to 

go by the book on all we do in this lab,” said 

Valencia, as he referenced the manual to find specific instructions for testing.

 Contaminated fuel poses a high risk to personnel 

and equipment, as it can cause damage to engines, 

and inadequate operation, which can result in injury, death and overall failure of combat missions. 

 According to the Army’s technical manual on 

petroleum laboratory operations, the purpose of 

quality surveillance is to ensure fuel used in military 

equipment is clean, bright, and suitable for immediate use for its intended purpose. Contaminated 

or deteriorated fuel can cost lives, especially with 

aircraft. 

 “To ensure the lab and technicians are operating 

to standards, we have to do this inspection and provide a quarterly report,” said Sgt. 1st Class Luis A. 

Cotte, petroleum lab certification noncommissioned 

officer with the 969th Quartermaster Detachment, 

1st TSC, as he watched and took notes of the PLS at 

work. In order to certify the lab to perform quality 

surveillance, “we do a thor ough inspection once 

a year,” said Cotte. Certification of the petroleum 

lab operations includes inspection of the facilities, 

equipment, methods, and personnel qualifications 

review.

 The inspection process is essential to ensure the 

safety of personnel and to avoid damage to aircraft 

and any other ground vehicle that uses the fuel 

tested. “Aircraft are very sensitive. Contaminated 

fuel causes [their] fuel lines to clog up; which is 

dangerous during its operation,” said Valencia. “So, 

we have to test to make sure of the safety of the personnel using it and to avoid damage to the planes. 

We make sure fuel is not the problem if there is 

aircraft failure.”

 Valencia, who is also a chemical engineering 

student at Mount San Antonio College in California, expressed his decision to choose to be a PLS 

was because of his interest in chemistry. “I have 

two years left to finish my degree and I’m planning 

on going back [to school] as soon as I return from 

deployment,” said Valencia. 

 PLSs have a critical responsibility in the battlefield, as they also have to decide which tests to 

perform based on the type of fuel sample and the 

source of the sample received. And although the lab 

is the commander’s responsibility, it is the PLSs who 

ensure fuels meet specifications, identify unknown 

products, detect contamination, verify field tests, 

and dispose of unacceptable fuel samples, ultimately 

ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment.

 The 1st TSC mission is to execute operational 

sustainment support, conduct coalition/joint reception, staging, and onward movement (CJRSO), 

redeployment, retrograde, and re-posture of forces, 

material, and sustainment infrastructure in order to 

support ongoing operations throughout the 

CENTCOM area of responsibility.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Luis A. Cotte, petroleum lab 

certification NCO with the 969th Quartermaster Detachment, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), back, 

observes Spc. Christian M. Valencia, petroleum laboratory specialists with Alpha Company, 640th Aviation 

Sustainment Battalion, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, 

during the fuel laboratory quarterly inspection, at Camp 

Arifjan, Kuwait. 

50 The Falcon SUMMER 2016 51
52 The Falcon

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