July 20, 2012
Kaiserslautern American
Page 15
7th WTB ‘Trains the Trainers’ with CBRN STX lanes Story and photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Chlosta 7th Civil Support Command Public Affairs GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — “Get on line,” the team leader shouted through thick white smoke as an explosion rocked the velvety green pine wood forest. With the echo of gunfire still hanging in the air, Soldiers moved to engage two snipers: one hidden in a tree-house type nest, the other on a small hill above the six-man squad. Splitting into two groups, the squad simultaneously attacked and “neutralized” the two snipers on different sides of the road where the squad was conducting a foot patrol. Immediately after the skirmish, the squad searched the “killed” or “captured” role-playing snipers as quiet returned to the woods and the smoke of battle dissipated. This scenario is one of many for the Army Reserve Soldiers of the 7th Warrior Training Brigade during their monthly battle assembly. “This (exercise) is for leaders to learn how to train,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Steve Schwartz, 42, 2nd Battalion, 7th Warrior Training Brigade, 7th Civil Support Command, U.S. Army Reserve. As a Total Army School System unit, the 7th WTB conducts professional military education for active and reserve component officers through the Command and Staff College Intermediate Level Education course. Also, when directed, the 7th WTB also provides Mobile Training Teams to conduct enlisted professional military education for deployed reserve component Soldiers through the Warrior Leader Course and home station, military occupational specialty training for human resource technicians. When not teaching, European-based U.S. citizen-
Classes And Training
» The Ramstein Airman & Family Readiness Center will host HeartLink, a seminar specially created for new Air Force spouses, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 27. Attendees will receive a personal briefing from the 86th Airlift Wing commander about Ramstein’s mission, tour a C-130 aircraft, visit the southside gym, visit the Health & Wellness Center, have lunch, learn about Air Force customs and courtesies, and find out about available resources on and off base. HeartLink provides an opportunity to meet new friends and to learn about Air Force culture and Ramstein. Pre-registration is required; call the A&FRC at 480-5100 or 06371-47-5100 by Thursday.
Chapel News
» The Ramstein Chapel is accepting bids for the following contract positions: Catholic religious education coordinator senior youth — This person supports the religious education component of the parish vision and mission statements as identified by the KMC Catholic Pastoral Council and authorized by the 86th Airlift Wing Catholic chaplains. The Senior Youth Program in the KMC will encompass the religious formation needs, including preparation for reception of the sacrament of confirmation, of students in ninth to 12th grade. The coordinator is responsible for overall development, programming and implementation, as well as the recruitment and training of a volunteer staff. Catholic religious education coordinator K-5 — This person supports the
Army Staff Sgt. Lamont Armstrong (left), Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 7th Warrior Training Brigade, 7th Civil Support Command, U.S. Army Reserve, discusses training objectives with Army Sgt. 1st Class Joaquin Rendon, 2nd Battalion, 7th WTB, 7th CSC, USAR, prior to their unit’s simulated training exercise July 7 at Grafenwöhr Training Area.
Soldiers of the Army Reserve assigned to the 7th WTB attend monthly battle assemblies to retain and refresh their instructional certifications, as well as their tactical military skills. During July’s battle assembly, more than 30 7th WTB Soldiers and their command leadership were tested through Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear simulated training exercise lanes, or STX lanes. “It’s good, holistic training,” said Army Sgt. Anthony Davis, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 7th WTB, 7th CSC. “(It) gets us out of the office.” After the first squad moved through the roleplaying sniper’s “kill zone” they then had to react to an ambush from the “OPFOR” or opposition force, further up the road. “It was good. I was surprised they had OPFOR out there. I think that was a good thing,” said Army Spc. Kenneth Van Epps, 7th WTB, 7th CSC. religious education components of the chapel community vision and mission statements as identified by the KMC Catholic Pastoral Council and authorized by the 86AW/ HC ranking Catholic chaplain. The religious education programs will conform to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and directives of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as set forth in the National Catechetical Directory, Sharing the Light of Faith, and the directive of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. The Catholic religious education program at the KMC will encompass the needs of children from pre-school through fifth grade as well as sacramental preparation. The coordinator is responsible for overall development, programming and implementation, as well as the recruitment and training of staff. The coordinator will be responsible for the preparation, training and implementation of the Children’s Church during Sunday liturgies. The coordinator will be responsible for the preparation, coordination and implementation of the Catholic portion of Vacation Bible School. Bidders are subject to criminal history background checks and must complete a Child Care National Agency Check and Inquiries and Installation Records Check. The chapel will be accepting bids until 4 p.m. Aug. 3. The Statement of Work and bid documents can be picked up from the Ramstein North Chapel, Monday through Friday. Bidders are invited to attend the bid opening at 9 a.m. Aug. 8 at the Ramstein North Chapel, Bldg. 1201. For more information, call Petra Rausch at 480-6148 or 06371-476148. » Ramadan starts today. During Ramadan, Muslims
Van Epps works with military helicopters as a civilian for Raytheon Corporation in Hohenfels, Germany, when he is not training with the 7th WTB. After clearing the first two STX lanes, the squad continued until their observer/controller dropped a smoke canister in the road to simulate a chemical attack. As the soda-can sized container spewed thick green plumes of green smoke the squad moved quickly into the brush adjacent to the road and donned their gas masks. Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Wilson, 7th WTB, 7th CSC, and the lead group’s squad leader, said one of the “improves” for his team would be to work on communication, such as hand and arm signals when they move from point to point. Once they donned their gas masks in the midst of heavy smoke and noise of gunfire, verbal communication was a challenge. Wilson regrouped his squad again. Next, they moved forward thru the woods, wearing their gas masks, toward their final objective — a small, ordinary concrete building with only one room with only one purpose — a gas chamber with real tear gas. Once inside, the Soldiers cleared and checked the seal of their respective masks before they executed jumping jacks. The troops then removed their masks for a few moments to experience the effects of the gas, before they exited the building. Immediately after the effects of the gas subsided the squad came together for the last time to conduct an after action review. The AAR was lead by their Observer/Controller, Army Staff Sgt. Fidelis Oziegbe, 2nd Bn., 7th WTB, 7th CSC. “I think they did pretty well” Oziegbe, said, “compared to how much time they had to practice.” (For the full story and more photos, visit the KA online at www.kaiserslauternamerican.com.)
A&FRC programs The Ramstein Airman & Family Readiness Center offers the following programs: Ramstein Spouses’ Orientation: July 23, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., A&FRC Reintegration: July 24, 9 a.m. to noon, Bldg. 3450 Sponsoring in the KMC: July 24, 9 to 10 a.m., A&FRC Operation Career Fair: July 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ramstein Officers’ Club Pre-Deployment: July 24, 1 to 3 p.m., Bldg. 3450 Base Intro: July 25, 7:30 a.m. to noon, Hercules Theater Extreme Couponing: July 25, 9 to 11 a.m., A&FRC Pre-Separation Briefing: July 26, 9 to 11 a.m., A&FRC USO Downtown Tour: July 26, 9 to 2:45 p.m. Call the A&FRC at 480-5100 to register for the classes. Reintegration and pre-deployment briefings are open to spouses. fast from dawn until sunset. Services will also be held at the South Chapel Mosque on Ramstein. Programs begin at sunset: breaking fast, congregational prayers and worship. For more information, call Chaplain (Capt.) Walid Habash at 480-5753 or 06371-47-5753. For more on Ramadan, check out the story on Page 16. » Vacation Bible School will be held from 9 a.m. to noon July 30 to Aug. 3 at Vogelweh Elementary School. To register, visit http://www.ramsteinvbs.com or visit Facebook and search “Ramstein VBS.” Volunteers are also needed. Deadline for registration is Wednesday.