FEBURARY 2014 BAGRAM AIRFIELD
EAGLE LIFT NEWSLETTER CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! https://www.facebook.com/EagleLift7101?ref=hl#!/EagleLift7101
BATTALLION COMMAND GROUP’S CORNER Friends and Families of Task Force Eagle Lift, The great Soldiers of Task Force Lift are upholding the proud and long legacy of the 10st Airborne Division here in Afghanistan. For the past two months the men and women of this multi-functional aviation battalion have been working tirelessly ensure we always safely complete our missions across the eastern portion of this country. Every day I am amazed by their devotion and professionalism. Headquarters and Headquarters Company is the brain of this organization planning and tracking flight missions, administration, and logistics day in and LTC Halter and CSM Soliz pose for a picture with BG day out to take care of the team. The Lewis (Deputy Commanding General, 101st Airborne Rude Dogs and Black Widows are on their toes every day ensuring the safe Division (Air Assault)) on his visit to TF Lift. and efficient movement of key leaders across the battlefield. Our Varsity de-
tachment is the versatile workhorse of the group, flying a great variety of missions daily. Meanwhile, Bluemax is doing an exceptional job of helping to provide security for our supported ground forces day and night. None of these missions could happen without the never-ending maintenance support from our Delta Company Dragons and they have certainly been up to the task. I want to thank all of you for your unending support to our Soldiers here at Bagram. Your notes, packages, thoughts, and prayers keep us going. We fly and fight for you. Thank you and Air Assault! -Lift 6 & 7
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A 7-101 RUDE DOGS Since arriving in late December through early January, the Rude Dogs have been working hard to meet the demanding mission of flying key leaders between the most important bases and cities in Afghanistan. After receiving an outstanding handoff from the War Angels (A/3-10) lead by CPT Erin Foley, we assumed the mission in stride and with remarkable success. From the maintainers turning wrenches and crewing, to the pilots flying and planning: it has only been possible by coming together and working as a team. The Rude Dogs welcomed SGT Cletius Meaders to the family after he joined the company in country, and he has already proven a valuable asset with his wealth of experience and work
ethic. Additionally, PFC Rivera recently transferred from C/7101, and will begin to serve as a 15E console operator after his initial training is complete. None of the missions we accomplish, or the hard work that gets done every day would be possible without the support from our families and loved ones back home. Whether it is care packages with delicious snacks, or kind messages and words of support: it all helps to energize and motivate our Soldiers and serves as a reminder for that which we are fighting. Also, a hearty thanks goes out to the FRG leadership for taking care of our families while we are away. CW3 Chino has contributed his immense photographic talent to
uploading pictures of Soldiers as we work to make the mission happen. If you would like to stay plugged into the daily life of the company, and your Rude Dog, Thanks again for the love and support! -The Rude Dogs
Connecting to our Facebook page at: https:// www.facebook.com/#!/pages/ A-Co-7-101-RudeDogs/156935874369084
EAGLE LIFT NEWSLETTER
B 7-101 (DETACHMENT) VARSITY The soldiers of the Bagram Varsity detachment continue to make mission happen day in and day out. We are proud to announce the promotion of PFC Michael Pledger to Specialist at the beginning of the month. We are also pleased to confirm the reenlistment of two of our door gunners. SPC Christopher Mogan who managed to get himself no less than three years station time in the island paradise of Hawaii, and SPC Siddartha Sherpa who is re-enlisting in order to re-branch into counter intelligence or perhaps drop his Green to Gold packet. The Varsity Soldiers would like to express their tremendous gratitude to the Varsity FRG as
Happy Valentine’s Day from Bagram Varsity
well as the Class of Mrs. Gamboa for the lovely Valentine's day cards and candy. You can be sure the candy lasted all of a few moments.
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B 3-101 BLUEMAX As the only Attack/Scout company in the brigade, Blue Max has done a great job of protecting Bagram Airfield and supporting ground units throughout the region. The company hit the ground running and assumed the mission as soon as it arrived. I was amazed to see the positivity and perseverance of the company as they started the deployment. Every Soldier in the company has worked hard to improve the footprint We will continue to keep our families in our thoughts. Thank you for all the support.
and make the company area a temporary home away from home. The missions the company supports takes them all over the region and their performance has been nothing short of exemplary. The crew chiefs of both aircraft have truly been instrumental in supporting the company’s mission in an arduous environment. Even with the work being done, Blue Max personnel have taken classes, enrolled in pro-
fessional development programs, and greatly improved their ping pong skills. Recently, the NCOs of the company planned and executed a 9mm range for the company with great success. All personnel qualified and it was a great way to get out of the office for a while. They are truly a disciplined group of Soldiers who’s commitment to the Joint fight has reflected in the way they do business thus far. Above: PFC Smith receives Thunder CSM’s coin Left: Bluemax conducts a 9mm Range
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C 7-101 DUSTOFF For Eagle DUSTOFF, the past few months have afforded us the opportunity finally establish the footprint we will be working in for the remainder of the deployment. While we are spread across RC-E, we have tremendous support not only from TF LIFT but also TF WINGS and TF ATTACK. It has been very nice to see the relationships built, during the last 18 months of training, pay dividends in combat. We have been training a lot
to become more and more familiar with the environment and area. Despite all of the conversations about the size of the mountains in Afghanistan, there is no way I could have appreciated them without seeing them for myself, they are truly majestic. Keeping busy is not a difficult thing to do here and we have been working very well together as a Task Force to effectively accomplish our mission. The learning curve has
been steep but I feel confident the lessons we have learned during the first part of this deployment will carry us through until the end. As always, we miss home, families, children, friends, pets, and free time but in the end we know this is all worth it. We are making a difference here and will execute our mission until it is complete. DUSTOFF!
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C 4-101 BLACKWIDOWS The first 45 days have gone by quickly for the Blackwidows. Since arriving in Afghanistan the we have hit the ground running. Thus far we have completed over 250 missions, transporting troops, cargo, and VIPs across Afghanistan. Twenty one of our first time deployers received the coveted combat patch which they proudly wear on their right shoulder. Black-
widows welcomed two new individuals to its ranks. 1LT Trump, Jason from 563rd ASB will be the new XO come early March. We also welcomed the birth of daughter Kylie Clark to Brittany and SPC Joshua Clark the newest addition to the Blackwidow family.
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D 7-101 DRAGONS Hello from Bagram, Afghanistan. Some of us have been on ground in this lovely country for almost a 3 months, others a little less, but we are all happy, healthy, and settling into the daily grind. The company is conducting 100% of the mission having picked up all responsibilities from our predecessors in Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (Damage Inc.). We were thankful for the time to settle in and the sharing of responsibilities while it occurred, but we are now more than happy to be working
autonomously. The UH-60 team has already inducted its first aircraft into phase and they are working diligently around the clock to ensure its back in the fight and ready to fly on mission. Shops have been tasked out since arrival working across 5 MDSs and fixing problems across the fleet. Every Soldier is covering down on a 12 -hour shift in some nice working areas. There are plenty of amenities to keep Soldiers busy during their on and off hours. There are numerous gyms, MWRs, and dining facilities
across the FOB that help pass the hours away from home when Soldiers aren’t working. Thank you for your continued support – it is the catalyst for our success.
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HHC GRIFFINS The HHC Griffins are proud to say that we have settled into our mission here at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan very well and continue to do great things for TF Lift and the Soldiers across Afghanistan. Since arriving we have seen the progression of our Soldiers careers and their Families. We had the great honor to have reenlisted SPC Brown, SPC Barnes, SPC Plascencia, SSG Aulet, and SSG Cox. We have also
promoted the following Soldiers: 1LT Wilson, SPC Kim, and PFC Tang. One of our very own Griffins was chosen by TF Thunder to be the Brigade Soldier of the week, congratulations to SPC Kim from the DFAC. Back at home our FRG is meeting regularly and conducting many fun and beneficial events for our Griffin Families.
PVT Holmes and PFC Jackson show off their combat patches
SSG Cox reenlists