Captain Daniel Hardy

1LT Jasmine Johnson

SSG Kalin Grigorov

The 3^rd Infantry Division MILSIM Unit extends to you our personal thanks and sincere appreciation of your contribution of honorable service to our unit. You have made a lasting impact on the unit’s history and thanks to your devotion to duty and a spirit of sacrifice in keeping with the proud traditions of military service.

 Your commitment and dedication have been an inspiration for those who will follow in your footsteps, and for all those who join us in saluting you for a job extremely “well done.”

 Our best wishes to you for happiness and success in the future.

From the Soldiers of the 3^rd Infantry Division MILSIM

   M1126 Stryker Combat vehicle assaults the Huzrutiman Militia Camp

Alpha Company 1-2 INF MILSIM swept into the town of Sultansafe on Sunday, recapturing the city as the Islamic State group’s grip crumbled from the fighting. The trapped residents took advantage of the militant’s retreat and welcomed the US forces.

Early that afternoon, A.Co. 1^st Platoon punched into the city center assaulting enemy forces and by evening a spokesman for the US led force was able to report that troops had taken 100 percent control of the town.  It was a major step regaining a major foothold in the province. “We promised to liberate Sultansafe, and it has returned to the embrace of the nation,” he said.

1^st Platoon continued the assault southwest of the town where the enemy fighters were still holding out in the Huzrutiman Militia Camp.  As the forces maneuvered towards the camp they were met with intense fighting. Reportedly 22 enemy personnel killed, 1 transport jeep and 2x BMP were destroyed in the assault. Although they sustained injuries no casualties were reported from US forces.

  Second destroyed BMP during assault of Huzrutiman Militia Camp

This victory however is only the beginning. With battles to clear out pockets of fighters holed up in different districts still to be fought. The focus will now have to shift to many issues within the town that if left unchallenged will result in more instability.

One of the features that is now standard on JLTVs is a 250% larger rear window. The vehicle on top has the new window and was used during testing at Fort Stewart, Ga. 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers spent several days testing and giving feedback on four new features to the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) as part of the "Big 4" Soldier Touchpoint Event.(Photo Credit: Maj. Peter Bogart)

Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Soldier recently became the first in the Army equipped with the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and spent several days in late April testing and giving feedback on new features as part of the "Big 4" Soldier Touchpoint Event. 

The "Big 4" refers to the new capability added to the truck with these enhancements - increased situational awareness (roughly 250% larger rear windows and the Forward Facing Camera), added muffler, troop seat kit, and the JLTV-Trailer. Soldiers took part in the test as drivers, truck commanders, and rear seat and troop seat passengers. 

The muffler was added to reduce engine noise and make it easier for the crew to communicate, a front facing camera helps ensure operators can better see terrain near the vehicle, especially going over embankments, and the troop seat kit and trailer add to the personnel and cargo carrying capacity and give Soldiers a trailer capable of handling the same increased speed over rough terrain as the JLTV itself.

During the test, Soldiers spent a day going through convoy operations in the vehicles without the upgrades and then went through the same lanes in vehicles with the upgraded features. Pfc. Allan Muraira said the larger windows were crucial to being able to scan for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) or other hazards during tactical halts. 

"My eyes didn't hurt as much because I wasn't straining," said Muraira. "It's hard to see out the smaller window which made it hard to do your fives and 25s without opening the door."

Soldiers also mentioned how the reduced engine noise from the new mufflers made it easier to communicate inside the vehicle. 

The most popular feature for the drivers and truck commanders is the front facing camera. Sgt. Daniel Kledzinski said that on the first day of the testing they took the trucks to the wash racks where they were able to drive up the ramps with better visibility to elevate the front of the vehicle and contrast what is seen through the front window and what the camera adds. 

It made a world of difference because with the camera you can actually see what you are about to drive over," said Kledzinski. 

Kledzinski also said that the noise dampening improved comfort and was less fatiguing, both factors that would be magnified on long convoys or mission. 

Two JLTV trailers were used during the testing and in addition to providing feedback on the towing performance, Soldiers were evaluated on how long it took to couple and uncouple the trailers. 

Maj. Erika Hanson, Assistant Production Manager for JLTV Systems Integration, said that the decision has already been made to install all JLTVs with the larger windows, camera, and mufflers while the troop seat kit and JLTV trailer are still in the test phase. Raider Soldiers are the first in the Army to field the JLTV and their input is part of an ongoing process in the JLTV fielding program. 

"This event is to get Soldier feedback which will be provided to Army Senior Leadership in conjunction with developmental testing at Aberdeen Test Center," said Hanson. 

1ABCT Soldiers have fielded over 320 JLTVs since January and have already integrated them into their daily operations. The brigade is currently training up for a January 2020 decisive action rotation to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Ca.

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Col. Mark Johnson, commander for 3rd CAB, 3rd ID, puts the Safety Excellence streamer on 4-3 Avn. colors, May 3, at Hunter Army Airfield.  

Marne Air maintains safety excellence

Marne Air Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, received a safety streamer and the Brig. Gen. Carl I. Hutton Memorial Award, May 3, on Hunter Army Airfield.

The Brig. Gen. Carl I. Hutton Memorial award is presented annually to a major command that demonstrates outstanding professionalism and invaluable contributions to the advancement of flight safety in Army aviation.

“This year marks the 40th anniversary of this award,” said retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen Nicholas Kehoe, the National Commander of the Order of Daedalians. “The Brawler battalion has a lot to be proud of.”

The Brawler battalion distinguished themselves by making safety and readiness their top priority. From their last deployment in Afghanistan alone, Soldiers were able to conducted 45 multi-missions with a stellar safety record which consisted of zero Class A, B or C mishaps and zero ground accidents while conducting combat aviation operations.

Kehoe shared his knowledge of Brig. Gen. Carl I. Hutton and what Hutton meant to Army aviation.

“Brig. Gen. Carl I. Hutton, was the director for Army Aviation training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for a number of years,” said Kehoe. “He was one of the pioneers in Army aviation, and the first commanding general of Fort Rucker, Alabama, so there is a lot of history in this award.”

As Kehoe congratulated the Brawler battalion, he then presented the award to 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, brigade commander, Col. Mark Johnson, who presented the award to Lt. Col. Clay Livingston, battalion commander for 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation regiment. This passing of the award symbolized 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation regiment As the U.S. Army top safety aviation.

“The aviation Soldiers which stands before you, truly represent the letter ‘G’ in Fight stemming from our battalion motto, “Here to Fight,” said Livingston. “The Hutton award represents the letter ‘G’ in fight and the ‘G’ stands for goals, the true goal in any unit military is to have no accidents, injuries, or deaths.”

As Livingston gave his final words during the ceremony, he gave emphases on the Brawler battalion goals.

“The goal is to constantly implement procedures to reduce risk and to accomplish the mission, said Livingston. “They have lived and continued to work toward this goal of impeccable safety.”

Livingston thanked the battalion and congratulated them on a job well.

“Keep up the good work and we are always here to fight,” said Livingston.

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3rd ID commander, Maj. Gen. Lee Quintas awards the Army Achievement Medal to Staff Sgt. Matthew Whitney of the 2-7 Inf., for placing first in 3rd ID’s 2019 Best Warrior Competition on Fort Stewart, April 26. (Photo by Sgt. Daniel Guerrero)

Staff Sgt Matthew Whitney earns 3rd ID NCO of the Year

Staff Sgt. Matthew Whitney, a Ranger-qualified infantryman from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team was named the 3rd Infantry Division’s 2019 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, April 26.

Whitney and 11 other competitors from across Fort Stewart engaged the Best Warrior Competition, a three-day competition consisting of 11 challenging events in order to determine the best warrior that Fort Stewart has to offer.

When Whitney’s senior enlisted leader, 1st Sgt. Byron Evans of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, informed him of the competition, he didn’t hesitate to volunteer and continued to focus on the daily training he was already conducting.

“I focused a little more on ruck marching, but besides that I didn’t alter my training plan. I prepared the same way I prepped for other events, just worrying about one day and one event at a time,” said Whitney.

Evans has served with Whitney for two years and said he is confident in both his physical and mental abilities.

He also said, “Leaders want to select a winner and I knew he was one. You can give him a mission and know he is not going fail.”

Day one started with a modified Army Physical Fitness Test consisting of three minutes of hand-release push-ups, three minutes of sit-ups, followed by a two and a half-mile run and one minute to complete as many pull-ups as possible with no breaks between events. The 100-meter swim was the mystery event at the end of the first day.

“It was awesome, a perfect way to cool down after day-one,” Whitney said.

The Best Warrior Competition offered other challenging tasks like M4 carbine and M9 pistol stress shoots, a PT test and ruck marching, as well as mental challenges like land navigation and the board.

Whitney said he played to his strengths with the more tactical events.

“I felt very comfortable with all the weapon oriented lanes, as well as the land navigation,” said Whitney. He adds, “I am lucky enough to have a job that keeps me current on those tasks.’’

But even though Whitney excelled in some areas, other events were tougher.

“I’m always average in boards but this was hard to prepare for,” said Whitney. “I would say the ruck march was also very difficult.’’ 

The competitors were not aware of the daily standings as the competition progressed and could only concentrate on the task in front of them.

Whitney said the point at which he thought he was going to win was at the awards ceremony.

“I felt really confident that I was going to win when they officially announced the winner, before that I really had no idea who was going to win,”

The next step for Whitney is the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Warrior Competition. He says he will continue training the same way but with more emphasis on ruck marching and board preparation.

He says, “My primary concern is to represent my battalion and division well at the next competition.”

His words of advice to anyone interested in something like this are, “There is no time like the present to do what you want. You just have to stop making excuses and just do it.”

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Soldiers line the walk way as veterans and their escorts begin their Honor Flight journey to Washington D.C., May 4 at Hunter Army Airfield. (Photo by Steve Hart)

26 Veterans take Honor Flight

Twenty-six veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War received a warm and respectful send-off from Hunter Army Airfield in a ceremony May 4 prior to the veterans boarding a charter bus that took them to Washington, D.C. to tour the various war memorials and other sites in their honor.

"It's always humbling to stand in the presence of greatness," said Lt. Col. Ken Dwyer, Hunter Army Airfield from the podium to the veterans. "We experience the freedoms that we enjoy in this great nation because of your loyalty to this country and the bravery you demonstrated," he added.

World War II veteran Russell Smith said he “is proud to be associated with others who served their country.”  He added that he, in particular, is eager so see the Marnie Memorial of the American flag being raised.

This Honor Flight trip is the 19th since the inaugural event in 2009.  The veterans who departed Hunter Army Airfield by charter bus with their escorts brings the Honor Flight Savannah total to 1,250 who participated in this “Tour of Honor.”

In his prayer, Chaplain (Maj.) Luis Anda from the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade said “those sitting here today understand the cost of freedom.  Since the beginning of this nation in which you founded, men, women and Families have sacrificed much.  Thank you for these veterans who sit here today, who were willing to give their lives so that others may be free.”

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