- Panther of the Week: CPL Alexander Peden (A Co) led a team during OPN PANTHER SHIELD and served as the company point-man, flawlessly executing route selection and land navigation throughout the exercise. During Alpha Company's air assault seizure of OBJ MEADE, CPL Peden distinguished himself repeatedly. On movement to the objective, CPL Peden reacted to a near ambush by immediately killing one enemy and organizing his team's response. CPL Peden then cared for and guarded a casualty in his team, killing a second enemy. CPL Peden also captured the second enemy's communications equipment and monitored it, relaying pertinent information to higher. Upon learning that a separate element was cut off and out of ammunition, CPL Peden maneuvered alone to link up with them, facilitated their movement off the objective, and killed a third enemy in the process. In addition, this month he graduated from Air Assault School and competed for NCO of the Month.

THIS WEEK:

1-508 PIR's focus this week was our deliberate and extensive recovery from OPN PANTHER SHIELD, including a full recovery progression for all equipment from Level I through Level III cleaning, washrack operations, inventory and cleaning of all individual and company level equipment, and consolidated communications maintenance turn-in. Coupled with our recovery, we have made a heavy push on vehicle services across the battalion. The battalion conducted AARs for OPN PANTHER SHIELD from the platoon level all the way up to the battalion level, with additional AARs for each warfighting function and the TOC itself. We also conducted preparation for Block Leave. Key leaders participated in the BCT Kurultai to discuss annual training guidance, long range training calendars, METLs, and refine the road to GRF.

NEXT WEEK:

Next week, 1-508 PIR will be on Block Leave, while our staff will travel to LTP. The following week, 1-508 PIR will conduct preparations for outload to JRTC, while a portion of the battalion will be on Opportunity Leave.

AIRBORNE OPERATIONS:
1-508 PIR exited no Paratroopers this week.

- LEADER DEVELOPMENT:

- Five Paratroopers from 1-508 PIR earned their White Slips on Wednesday, with 3 Primaries and 1 Alternate ready to begin Jumpmaster School next week. 1-508 PIR currently has one future Jumpmaster on the "Needs PWAC" roster.
- 1-508 PIR has seven Paratroopers in Ranger School (5 x Darby, 1 x Mountains, 1 x Florida) and two Paratroopers in the current Pre-Ranger Course.
- 1-508 PIR farewelled our two USMA Cadets on Wednesday evening, who performed excellently as platoon leaders during OPN PANTHER SHIELD and will be returning to West Point with a wealth of knowledge and experience - and as advocates for the Infantry, the Airborne, and Fort Bragg.

BUILD READY AND RESILIENT PARATROOPERS AND FAMILIES:

- 1-508 PIR conducted a battalion Hail & Farewell on Wednesday night, hailing five leaders and farewelling four leaders. - The battalion will conduct a Family PT Day on Thursday morning sponsored by CPT Newell and B Co. This event will consist of a 5K release run for Paratroopers, spouses, and kids, as well as a water-balloon/water pistol battle for younger children.

MAINTENANCE:
- This week to date, 1-508 PIR conducted services on 165 weapons, 0 NVGs (zero due), and 7 pieces of rolling stock. Additionally, we turned in or prepared for turn-in 69 pieces of excess equipment.

ATW,