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Our focus these past two weeks was supporting
1-505’s MASTAC on 3 NOV with all ground duties and Safeties, participating
in the 508 PIR Reunion in Charleston, conducting change of command inventories
for HHC, A, and J companies, EIB training and testing, and the D Co/HHC
company JFE on 3 NOV.
FIGHT TONIGHT – READINESS
On 7 NOV, 13 Paratroopers from 1-508 PIR earned their Expert Infantryman
Badge with 1BCT. Two of our Paratroopers – CPT Simpson and 2LT Robben
– earned their EIB “True Blue.” On 3 NOV, D Co and HHC conducted a company
airborne operation, seizing assault OBJs by P+1 in conjunction with
307 BEB. 1-508 PIR supported that line and the line later that night
with all ground duties, issue, recovery, and Safety duties – allowing
both 307 BEB and 1-505 PIR to have all available leaders participate
in their battalion missions. Also on 3 NOV, 1-508 PIR’s Fire Support
team won the DIVARTY Best of the Best competition after a four day course
consisting of an Army Physical Fitness Test, a combat fitness test,
land navigation, a written exam, a hands on examination of various fire
support equipment, and a 20km foot march (storyboard attached). During
the last two weeks, HHC, A Co, and J Co conducted change of command
inventories. Concurrently, CPT Roubicek and A Co sent team leaders to
train with B/307 BEB at a demolition range and executed SQD level training
on MOUT and Battle Drills for three days. Platoon leaders developed
CONOPs and executed battle drills focusing on team and squad level tactics
(storyboard attached). CPT Newell and B Co conducted an M4 zero, qualification,
and close-quarter battle ranges last week (storyboard attached). B Co
also qualified 6 Paratroopers on the Javelin training system and conducted
a field training Team Leader Academy in NTA 5 this week. CPT Elgin and
C Co conducted land navigation training in the northern training areas
this week, while CPT Kearney and D Co continue with Gunner Skills Testing
and Ground Mount firing in preparation for their gunnery at Fort Benning
in JAN ’17. CPT Suslik and J Co conducted issue, recovery, chute shake
out, and DZ cleaning in support of 307 BEB’s and 1-505 PIR’s airborne
operation on 3 NOV. Additionally, they conducted MTRC (Multi-Temp Refrigeration
Container) training and they fielding and trained on the Camel II (800
gallon water container). On the maintenance line of effort, 1-508 PIR
participated in an extended Maintenance Stand-down, where we helped
clean the Lewis & Pratt container yard and conducted further maintenance
on our vehicles. Our efforts to increase personnel readiness over the
past two weeks included flu shots for the battalion, clearing PRR/FRR/DD93/SGLV
across the companies, and sending Paratroopers through a BN SRP on 1
NOV.
WIN TOMORROW’S FIGHT
On 28 OCT we had two leaders pass PWAC to become Jumpmasters – SFC
O’Brien (D Co) and SSG Cole (A Co). 1-508 PIR has 2 leaders currently
in the Jumpmaster course, while CPT Gavin passed JMPI testing today
and is now a Jumpmaster. We also have 2 Paratroopers in Ranger School
– PFC Black (A Co) and PFC Reynolds (HHC). Last week 1-508 PIR had 7
Paratroopers graduate the MRT Course, and we will have 6 new or recertified
CAO/CNOs graduate the course by the end of the week. On 31 OCT, BG Jebb
(West Point Dean of Academics) visited 1-508 PIR to discuss the academy
and future instructor positions with all our leaders. BG Jebb fielded
questions about leader development and career opportunities with USMA.
PARATROOPERS FOR LIFE
From 3-5 November, 1-508 PIR had 50 Paratroopers and spouses participate
in the 508 PIR reunion in Charleston, SC. The Family and Friends of
the 508 PIR Association sponsored the event, which included multiple
veterans from WWII, the Vietnam era, and OEF/OIF. The event concluded
with a formal banquet in which 1F6 was the guest speaker (storyboard
attached). On 08 NOV, HHC conducted its monthly FRG meeting at Dragon
Lanes Bowling center. The event was a huge success drawing a large crowd
of 97 Paratroopers, spouses, and children (storyboard attached).
AMERICA’S GUARD OF HONOR
On 12 NOV, C Co will provide 100 Paratroopers to march in the Veteran’s
Day Parade in Southern Pines. D Co will be providing a truck section
in support of the parade as well. On 10 NOV, 12 Paratroopers from 1-508
PIR will conduct the ruck march with our Chaplain to donate items to
the Cape Fear Veteran's Home.
NEXT TWO WEEK'S FOCUS
Our focus over the next two weeks will be 1) Clean Sweep, 2) Family
Readiness Liaison training and Family Care training, 3) continued change
of command inventories, and 4) preparing for and conducting our battalion
ball on 19 NOV.
ATW,
MAJ Dru Rhodes
1-508 PIR Operations Officer
3BCT, 82nd ABN DIV
FURY FROM THE SKY
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