1. Crosswire
The
Issue 7 | July 24, 2012 Official Newsletter of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Task Force Provider shapes the course equipment were non-mission
capable on any given day.
of combat; changes the outcome • Completed 396 brigade
Support missions driving nearly
9,000 miles.
By Lt. Col. Charles Kitson, • Served over 33,957 meals.
Commander, 634th BSB
Company, the brigade’s medi- • Completed 94 STX lanes
cal company, located in Spring- • Field fueling of over 19,500 between all eight units.
As the maneuver units “March field. The other part is the four gallons. • Company C completed not
to the sounds of the guns” dur- companies which are called • Ammo supply operations is- just one but two MASCAL ex-
ing Exportable Combat Training Forward Support Companies sued over 887,000 rounds val- ercises, one during the ULX.
Capability (XCTC), at Camp (FSC). The FSC’s provide for- ued at over $6.3 million. Additionally, each FSC pro-
Ripley, Minn., the 634th Bri- ward logistical support to the • All Battalion Aid Stations vided field sustainment support
gade Support Battalion (BSB), brigade’s maneuver units. The remained green on supplies and while in cantonment pro-
as Task Force Provider lives its FSC’s consists of Delta Com- throughout XCTC. vided dining facility operations
quartermaster creed: “I can shape pany, located in Galva, support- • Maintenance operations to each maneuver unit.
the course of combat, change the ing 2-106 Cav; Echo located in brought to fully mission capable TF Provider has achieved
outcome of battle. Look to me: Joliet, supporting 1-178th IN; status 319 pieces of equipment, tactical and logistic excellence
Sustainer of Armies.” As Task Foxtrot Company, located in and no more than four pieces of continued on page 3
Force Provider we have a differ- Mt Vernon, supporting 2-130
ent job than the maneuver units. IN; and Golf Company, located
However, we are just as profes- in Crestwood, supporting the
sional and sweat just as much as 2-122 FA.
we provide the essential support All of our Soldiers and units
to the war fighter. have had many accomplish-
The 634th BSB has two dis- ments on the road to tactical
tinct parts. The core which excellence. I am truly proud of
consists of four units; the HHC the tremendous logistical and
located in Sullivan; Alpha Com- sustainment effort that the TF
pany, the brigade’s support Provider’s Soldiers made dur-
company, located in Mattoon; ing XCTC. The amount of ef-
Bravo Company, the brigade’s fort and sweat can be measured
maintenance company; located in the statistics of what the BSB
in Champaign; and Charlie provided to the brigade.
Congratulations new parents! Pfc. Andrew R. Nolan of Mattoon, Company A, 634th Brigade Sup-
As we prepare to return to our 1st Bn., 178th IN welcomed a port Battalion dismounts his vehicle as he and others within his
homes and into the arms of loved daughter on July 7. company prepare to transport infantry Soldiers. In addition to
ones we’d like to congratulate a Staff Sgt. Kurt Russell with supporting the missions of other units, the companies within the
few of our Soldiers who recently HHT, 2nd Sqdn., 106th Cavalry 634th Brigade Support Battalion were evaluated on their own mis-
became new parents or welcomed welcomed a daughter on June sions tasks during the Army Na-
a new child into their family. 15. tional Guard’s eXportable Com- In this issue
Maj. Paul Metzdorff with Command Sgt. Maj. Steve bat Training Capability program
HHC, 33rd IBCT welcomed a Krause with HHT, 2nd Sqdn., at Camp Ripley, Minn. (U.S. Army
son on July 10. 106th Cavalry welcomed twin photo by Sgt. Jesse Houk/released) Brigade Support Battalion
Sgt. 1st Class Kerry Gabbard sons on May 29. page 2-3
with Co. D, 2nd Bn., 130th IN 1st Sgt. Michael R. Kelly with C, 1st Bn., 178th IN welcomed
Medical Pros combine skills
welcomed a daughter on July Co. C, 1st Bn., 178th IN wel- a new child on July 7.
page 4
18. comed a son on June 19. Congratulations to all our new
Capt. Jerry Dickson with HHC, Pfc. Joshua Collins with Co. parents!
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2. Brigade Support Battalion Makes the Mission!
Staff Sgt. Robert P. Kercheval of Sullivan, assistant team leader, Spc. Andre Gallions of Robbins, Ill. loads expended artillery
Co. A, 634th BSB disseminates information during a mission crates onto a truck. Spc. Gallions is a hazardous materials certi-
briefing. The Soldiers were transporting a company of infantry fied truck driver with Company G, 634th BSB. Co. G, 634th is the
Soldiers and were an integral part in helping them complete forward support company that provides logistics support to 2nd
their mission. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jesse Hauk/released). Bn., 122nd Field Artillery. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Nathan Westby).
Soldiers with Co. A, 634th BSB prepare to transport Soldiers from
1st Bn., 178th Infantry. Company A is the brigade support com-
pany in the 634th BSB that provides the brigade with its own
organic capability to move Soldiers and equipment throughout
the battlespace. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jesse Houk/released)
“TF Provider has achieved tactical and
logistic excellence at XCTC. The level
of support provided to the brigade was
outstanding. ”
Lt. Col. Charles Kitson, Commander,
634th Brigade Support Battalion
Pfc. Andrew R. Nolan of Mattoon and Sgt. Kevin M. Johnson Staff Sgt. James Fluechtling of Lansing, Ill. with Co. G, 634th BSB
of Nokomis help infantry Soldiers safely exit after transporting stacks expended artillery ammo crates for loading onto a hazard
them from the field to their barracks. The two Soldiers are a materials (HAZMAT) transport truck. Staff Sgt. Fluechtling has a
part of Company A, 634th Brigade Support Battalion and are HAZMAT certification to handle live and expended ammunition,
participating in the Army National Guard’s eXportable Combat which is required of soldiers in the 634th BSB who handle am-
Training Capability program at Camp Ripley, Minn. (U.S. Army photo munition. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Nathan Westby).
by Sgt. Jesse Houk/released)
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3. TF Provider delivers
continued from page 1
during XCTC. The level of support provid-
ed to the brigade was outstanding. XCTC
not only provided TF Provider the oppor-
tunity to sustain logistical operations in a
combat environment, but it also stressed the
Soldiers by ensuring they received many of
the same lanes training that the maneuver
units received.
Our Soldiers are pumped and excited by
the training they had here at XCTC, but our
job is not over until all Soldiers and their
equipment is returned safely to home sta-
tion. n
[Top] Spc. Nicholas O.M. Williams of Chica-
go, a Soldier in Company E, 634th Brigade
Support Battalion, prepares to transport
a company of infantry Soldiers July 18.
The training is a part of the Army National
Guard’s eXportable Combat Training Capa-
bility program at Camp Ripley, Minn. (U.S.
Army photo by Sgt. Jesse Houk/ released)
[Middle] Sgt. William S. Richards of Morris
operates a lift while Spc. Zach D. Erzinger of
Elwood prepares to assist as they replace
the engine of an inoperable High Mobility
Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle July 17 at
Camp Ripley, Minn. The Soldiers are from
Company E, 634th Brigade Support Battal-
ion and are participating in the Army Na-
tional Guard’s eXportable Combat Training
Capability program and do what it takes to
keep everything else operational so mis-
sions can be achieved. (Photo courtesy of
Sgt. 1st Class Joe A. Seiders. (U.S. Army photo
by Sgt. Jesse Houk/ released)
[Bottom] Soldiers with Company E, 634th
Brigade Support Battalion search a village
during the unit’s improvised explosive de-
vice defeat lane training exercise July 15 at
Camp Ripley, Minn. (Photo courtesy of 1st Sgt.
Phillip Wire)
Thank you, for all
that you do.
33rd IBCT PAO Staff
Maj. Nathan Westby
Spc. Christopher Garibay
Pfc. Allison Lampe
139th Mobile Public Affairs Det.
Sgt. 1st Class Mike Chrisman
Sgt. Jesse Houk
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4. Medical Soldiers combine civilian skills with military
by: Sgt. 1st Class Mike Chrisman,
139th Mobile Public Affairs Det. could be major and it’s helped me
make better decisions.”
“From plumbers and electricians According to the Illinois Army
to dentists and doctors, National National Guard personnel branch,
Guard Soldiers bring unique skills there is only one Soldier in the Il-
to the battlefield. linois Army National Guard who
The Illinois Army National is a civilian doctor. Capt. Michael
Guard has approximately 10,000 Thomas of Freeport with Co. C,
Soldiers. Many of those Soldiers 634th BSB is trying to double
are blue collar workers who are that number. Thomas is a surgi-
trying to make a better life for their cal resident at Southern Illinois
family. Others hold white collar University School of Medicine
jobs and have various reasons why in Springfield and is finishing up
they serve their country. his residency. Thomas said he
“I love the feeling I get when couldn’t do his Army skills as well Sgt. Lyndsey Bratcher of Bloomington (left), Capt. Michael Thom-
I put on the uniform,” said Sgt. without his civilian training. as of Freeport (center) and Spc. Aaron Rice of Charleston (right),
Lyndsey Bratcher of Blooming- “They go hand-in-hand,” all with Company C, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Spring-
ton with Company C (Co. C), Thomas said. “My Army leader- field work on a patient during a field training exercise July 20 at
634th Brigade Support Battalion ship training has helped teach me Camp Ripley, Minn. Bratcher is a civilian nurse. Thomas is a surgi-
(BSB) in Springfield. “The mili- to stay calm and organize things; cal resident at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in
tary has helped me advance my civilian training has taught me that Springfield. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jesse Houk/ released)
medical skills while serving my medicine crosses all barriers.”
country.” Thomas is a field surgeon with the only military dentist partici- “It’s a positive thing,” Shoff
Bratcher is a registered nurse the Illinois Army National Guard. pating in the exercise. Shoff said said. “It shows I can commit
at St. Joseph Medical Center in Once he completes his residency, it’s imperative to have the proper to something and stick to it. My
Bloomington and a medic in the he will become a general oral sur- support personnel for the Soldiers military experiences make me a
Illinois Army National Guard. geon in the National Guard. training in the field. more well-rounded person with
“The skills I have learned have Co. C, 634th BSB is one of 30 “Like all healthcare professions more to offer.”
helped me be more proficient at companies in the Illinois Army we are here to help people,” Shoff Shoff enlisted in the Guard 13
my job,” Bratcher said. “The mili- National Guard with the 33rd In- said. “If we can contribute to years ago before he envisioned
tary focuses more on trauma and fantry Brigade Combat Team par- them being safe and able to train himself as a military or civilian
it’s a different mindset. You have ticipating in a three-week training every day it feels good.” dentist. He said he plans to con-
to react to situations differently.” exercise at Camp Ripley, Minn., in Shoff is in the last phase of his tinue his military career because
Bratcher said the military has July. Approximately 3,400 Soldiers dental residency and then he can he is contributing to his country.
helped make her a better civilian are part of the exercise and medi- start his full-time practice concen- “I’m doing my part and I feel
nurse. cal professionals are essential to trating on periodontal treatment. good,” Shoff said. “It’s something
“I have learned to keep the worst ensuring the training is a success. He said having military experi- that I think is important and there
case scenario in mind,” Bratcher Capt. Spencer Shoff of God- ence is a great asset as he looks are a lot of experiences I would be
said. “Something that looks minor frey, with Co. C, 634th BSB is toward his future. missing out on if I wasn’t in (the
Guard). Although I come here to
Sgt. Lyndsey Bratcher of Bloom- do dental work, dentistry is the
ington (left) and Spc. Aaron same whether it’s in the civilian
Rice of Charleston (right) treat world or military. What keeps me
an injured Soldier during a sim- coming back are the Army skills
ulated exercise July 20 at Camp and Soldier training.”
Ripley, Minn. Bratcher is one of According to statistics from the
21 Soldiers in the Illinois Army Illinois Army National Guard’s
National Guard that are civil- Personnel Branch, there are 21
ian nurses. (U.S. Army photo by civilian nurses, two dentists and
Sgt. Jesse Houk/released) one doctor serving in the Illinois
Army National Guard.
“My military experience has af-
fected my life in a positive way
and helped me fulfill my civilian
Stay Informed. desires,” Thomas said. “It’s about
Stay Connected. training people and saving lives.
www.facebook.com/33rdIBCT That’s why we do it.” n
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