Flyeralcon Volume 1, Issue 1 “Marne Air!” November 1, 2012

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See CWOB, Pg. 2

Marne Air Soldiers and Families, it remains an honor for my wife Heather and I to serve for, with and along side you. We’re inspired by your selfless service to one another, the 3rd Combat Aviation Bri-gade, the Marne Division, our Army and our Nation.

Once again, the United States of America has called upon the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade to deploy to Afghanistan. It is a mission we have prepared for since the brigade redeployed in November 2010.

I believe we have the best com-bat aviation brigade Soldiers in the Army, and I have the great-

est confidence that Marne Air Soldiers will serve with disci-pline, high standards and distinction as we accomplish our mis-sion. We will over-come any challenges we face, as all Dogface Soldiers have done since 1917.

We are deploying to face com-bat. Fighting in Afghanistan, like fighting anywhere, comes with an inherent risk requiring unit, Soldier and Family read-iness and resiliency. This in-cludes physical, mental, spiri-tual, social and family strength.

Our training has includ-

ed combat training cen-ter rotations, high-alt itude mounta inous environmental training, air-ground integra-tion with fellow Marne brigades

and other conventional and special operations forces, avi-ation and ground mission-es-sential tasks, sustainment training, resiliency and more.

This has set the conditions for the deployment. Our readiness is essential to our mission suc-cess. In no way was this easy, but if it was easy, then anyone could do it. Few can execute

the tough missions we will face and do it to standard.

Marne Air Soldiers, you should be proud of the great legacy we inherit and will con-tinue to embody. Our mission in Afghanistan will be success-ful because of the training, teamwork and sacrifices of our Soldiers, as well as the support and sacrifices of our Families.

I encourage you to participate in Family Readiness Group ac-tivities and help strengthen the bonds between you and your fellow Soldiers and Family Members. Your support net-work is the key to your success. Include yourselves in the net-work of our local community.

“Be proud of the legacy we inherit and continue to embody.”

INSIDECMDR’s Message Cont’d. . 2CWOB Cont’d . . . . . . . . . . . 2New CSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3603rd CLFX . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4FRSA Message . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Marne Air and Rock of the Marne! It is a privilege to an-swer the nation’s call for ser-vice in Afghanistan with my fellow brothers and sisters in

arms. 3rd Combat Aviation Bri-gade continues to be the most deployed CAB. This is a testa-ment to our soldiers’ dedica-tion to service and proven mis-

sion accomplishment. Warrant Officers

are self aware and adaptive technical experts, combat lead-ers, trainers and advi-sors. Warrant Officers command our aircraft and missions. They supervise, manage,

and train our systems and op-erations. We enable aviation support through reconnais-sance, security, air assault, re-supply, maintenance, tracking, and command. Our priority is always no-fail support of our ground forces.

Upon our return from the previous deployment, train-ing and preparation immedi-ately began for the next call to action. During training, we replicated the missions and en-vironments for our area of op-erations. We honed our skills

to prepare us mentally, physi-cally, and emotionally for this challenging mission, enemy, and location.

Our warrant officers contin-ued professional development through training to become instructor pilots, maintenance test pilots, safety officers, tacti-cal operations officers, aviation life support officers, electronic warfare officers, and armament officers. We also found time in the schedule to attend profes-sional military education. The

Col. Allan M. Pepin, commander, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade

A Message from the Chief Warrant Officer of the Brigade

A message to the Marne Air Familyfrom Commander Col. Allan M. Pepin

See CMDR, Pg. 2

Chief Warrant Officer Randy Godfrey

the Falcon Flyer

The Falcon Flyer is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of The Falcon Flyer are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, Department of the Army or the 3rd Infantry Division. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. All editorial content of The Falcon Flyer is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Task Force Falcon Public Affairs Office.

Do you have a story to share? The Falcon Flyer welcomes submissions from readers. Send to the Task Force Falcon PAO at pao3cab@hotmail.com. The Falcon Flyer reserves the right to edit all submissions. For further information on deadlines, questions or comments, email Task Force Falcon Public Affairs.

task Force Falcon Commander - Col. Allan M. Pepin

Command Sergeant Major - Command Sgt. Maj. James SnyderChief Warrant Officer of the Brigade - Chief Warrant Officer 5

Randy Godfrey

task Force Falcon Public aFFairsTF Falcon PAO - Capt. Chad Ashe

TF Falcon PA NCOIC, Falcon Flyer Editor - Sgt. Luke Rollins

The Falcon Flyer november 1, 2012

2

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Luke Rollins

Col. Allan M. Pepin, commander of the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, Third Infantry Division, leads a formation of Marne Air Soldiers Mar. 17 during the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Pa-rade in Savannah, Ga. The Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade is America’s largest and is second largest in the world after the parade in Dublin, Ireland.

There’s no better community in which to serve.

In August 2011, the Secretary of the Army announced the reduc-tion of the deployment rotation to nine months. One of the significant changes to the policy was the elim-ination of environmental and mor-al leave, more commonly referred to as ‘R&R.’ I realize your Soldier may miss certain events important to your family, but it is the selfless service of Soldiers and Families that elevates us.

Our ability to operate in complex and changing environments, as well as change the conditions we will face, is founded on the fact that we have the best Soldiers, Families and Leaders this coun-try has to offer. The key to this strength is remaining mindful that we are a serving a cause greater than ourselves.

We are committed to helping the Afghan Security Forces build an in-dependent and self-sustaining se-curity. We are committed to giving the Afghan people a better hope for their future.

We are blessed to have Lt. Col. Cory Sena and his wife Lynette as the brigade rear-detachment command team. He is a prov-en leader and a former battalion commander within this brigade. I couldn’t have asked for a better pair to support our Soldiers and Families during this deployment. Thank you again for your service. My wife Heather and I wish you the very best as you plan and prepare for the challenges of an upcoming deployment. But the sacrifices and accomplishments of Soldiers and their Families are what makes this nation strong.•

CAB even facilitated the Aviation Warrant Officer Advanced Course at Hunter allowing our warrants officers to spend time with families instead of away. These skills will ensure mission planning, execu-tion, and successful completion of combat operations.

Know that our soldiers are trained and ready to support our Afghani-stan partners. Afghanistan will be a safer country, which ensures our nation’s safety. It will be one less place for our enemies to hide and to plan attacks on all of us. •

CWOB, cont’d from Pg. 1

CMDR, cont’d from Pg. 1

The Falcon Flyer november 1, 2012

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3rd CAB Welcomes New CSMHUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. – The 3rd Combat Aviation Bri-gade, Third Infantry Division, bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Blair during a change of responsibility ceremony Sept. 12 at the flight line, and welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. James Snyder as the new brigade command ser-geant major.

Command Sgt. Maj. Blair is slat-ed to assume responsibility of the 1st Aviation Brigade, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Ala.

Colonel Allan Pepin, command-er of the 3rd CAB, said Command Sgt. Maj. Blair exemplified the Army Values during his tenure.

“Command Sgt. Maj. Blair was the best noncommissioned offi-cer battle buddy I’ve ever served with, and I’ve served with some great ones,” said Col. Pepin. “Un-compromising in integrity, moral courage and standards, you were a great NCO, role model and lead-er, but I’m proud to have also called you a friend.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Blair thanked his family and all the Soldiers of the 3rd CAB for mak-ing his time in Savannah special.

“It has been my pleasure to work with you and I am forever

humbled to be associated with you and call you my brothers and sisters,” said Blair. “You are the best combat aviation brigade. Thanks for everything you do in the service of this nation.”

Colonel Pepin also praised in-coming Command Sgt. Maj. Sny-der, saying the task force was fortunate to have an incoming brigade command sergeant ma-jor of such high standards.

“He’s a battle tested leader,” said Col. Pepin. “I know you will lead from up front, and I have the greatest confidence that he will carry on the great legacy of the command sergeants major who have led before him.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Snyder said he looked forward to the oppor-tunities and challenges that lay ahead.

“I will always keep the welfare of our Soldiers and accomplish-ment of the mission in the upper-most of my mind,” said Snyder. •

by Sgt. Luke Rollins, 3rd CAB Public Affairs

U.S Army photo by Sgt. Luke Rollins

Command Sgt. Maj. James Snyder, incoming brigade command sergeant major of the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, Third Infan-try Division, sings “The Dogface Soldier” Song during the bri-gade change of responsibility ceremony Sept. 12 at the Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., flight line.

603rd ASB Qualifies At CLFXFORT STEWART, Ga. — Sol-diers from Headquarters Sup-port Company, 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, participated in the culminating event of their seven-month training cycle Sept 13, qualifying in a convoy life fire exercise at Fort Stewart, Ga.

“We threw a lot of the stuff we’ve been practicing over the past seven months into today’s exercise, and I think our Sol-dier’s performed spectacularly,” said 1st Lt. Scott Moe, the com-pany executive officer and offi-cer-in-charge of the qualification.

Although the Fort Stewart train-

ing grounds, with their acres of tall pines and forest growth, dif-fer in terrain from the mountains and arid flatlands of Afghanistan, where the 603rd ASB is scheduled to deploy later this year, the ob-stacles the HSC Soldiers faced prepared them directly for the challenges of convoy operations. Seven vehicles traversed the training line for more than two hours, encountering small arms fire and improvised explosive devices. The convoy took sever-al simulated casualties, requir-ing the Soldiers to respond with medical evacuation and first re-

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Luke Rollins

Spc. Robert Allen III, a radio communications security repairmen with Headquarters Support Company, 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, engages targets during a convoy live fire training exercise Sept. 13 at Fort Stewart, Ga.

by Sgt. Luke Rollins, 3rd CAB Public Affairs

See CLFX, Pg. 4

Marne Air Social Media

www.facebook.com/3rdCABwww.twitter.com/3rdCABwww.flickr.com/3rdCAB

To read more stories and see the photos that go with them, as well as some videos, check out the links be-low. Read and share what you see and pass along the Soldiers’

stories.

The Falcon Flyer november 1, 2012

Family Members:We know your Soldier has been working long and hard as they prepare for this upcoming deploy-

ment. It is because of your Support that your soldier is able to perform their mission in an exceptional manner.

The morale of Marne Air Soldiers and Family Members is of the highest importance to the brigade command team, our spouses, and the entire chain of command. Our Soldiers and their Family Mem-bers are our brigade’s greatest resource. By maximizing preparedness and resiliency at home, we cre-ate the capacity for success on the battlefield.

This command and installation is here to fully support you with all of our resources. We want to ensure the Marne Air community is integrated into a network of support, with programs and services both within and outside of the Department of Defense. Family Readiness Groups, Army Communi-ty Service, Military Family Life Consultants and many other organizations are available to help you throughout your Soldier’s deployment. Strong and resilient families translate to stronger and more resilient Soldiers on the battlefield.

With social media as one of your most successful methods to communicate with your deployed Sol-dier, it can be a double-edged sword used against operational security. Please do not use social media to discuss or share sensitive information. Protect your Soldier by not releasing information on current or future operations.

Again, thank you for your personal support, sacrifice and commitment to your Solider and our na-tion. The strength of our Soldiers is our Families.•

A message from the

Family Support Readiness Assistant

sponse training.Specialist Robert Allen III, a ra-

dio communications security re-pairmen with HSC, 60rd ASB, said the day’s events gave him full confidence in his company’s de-ployment readiness.

“We’re basically a huge family,” said Allen. “I would trust any of them with my life. Today’s train-ing was great, and I was glad to be with everybody here.”

After the convoy made it back, 1st Lt. Moe reviewed the group’s performance, praising their suc-cesses and isolating areas of im-provement. He said that after two months coordinating this qualifi-cation event, he was pleased with their performance.

“I couldn’t have been happier with how the Soldiers performed out there today,” said Moe. “It was exactly what the platoon sergeant and I were looking for. We had the company commander and first sergeant out there, and they were impressed, so all in all I’d say it was a great culminating exercise.” •

CLFX, cont’d from Pg. 3

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Luke Rollins

Workhorse Soldiers prepare for the convoy live fire exercise, Sept. 13 at Fort Stewart, Ga.