This newsletter provides updates on various units within Task Force Talon serving in Afghanistan. It discusses how the Gladiators and Animals are embracing the new year after enjoying the holidays. It highlights things the task force members miss about home and a message from the chaplain about soldier pride. Updates are also provided on the Regret, Flippers, Spartans and Dustoff units, including weather, locations, accomplishments and training. The newsletter aims to boost morale by sharing news and updates among the various units serving overseas.
1. The Claw
Newsletter
Serving the Soldiers and Families of Task Force Talon
2. V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 3
The Claw 25 J ANU AR Y 2012
A Few Words from
Talon 6
To all family members and friends of
Task Force Talon, I pray that you all en-
joyed a safe and joyous holiday sea-
son. As the Task Force Talon Troopers
reflect on 2011 and embrace the New
Year, two things are crystal clear…we
are blessed to have such a talented
family of Troopers within our ranks and
to have overwhelming support from our
loved ones back home. Your Troopers
have continued to provide our brothers
and sisters within Regional Command
East with record-setting aviation sup-
port. On behalf of all the TF Talon
Troopers, I thank you for your contin-
ued love and support. We are all con-
tinuing to work hard to make a differ-
ence here and look forward to our re-
turn to you all. Until next time…
“TALON FOR A DAY,
TALON FOR LIFE!”
Sincerely,
LTC LANDY D. DUNHAM
TALON 6
3. T HE C LAW P AGE 3
Things We
Miss About
January
Home Task Force Talons list
of the things they
miss most about home
1 Not having to carry
a weapon around
24/7 5 The speed of 10 Not having to get
woken up each
XBOX live
night from jets
Spending taking off
time with my 6 Having breakfast
-
kids and see 11
at IHOP Being able to go to
the bathroom with-
ing them out having to put
grow up on a uniform
SFC Seth
Necessary 12 WARM TOILETS!
2 Driving my own car “45 min
and listening to my ute
7 Drinking! shower
favorite music s
drinkin
’ my
coffee!
3 Freedom to leave ”
work and do what 8 Having weekends
MAJ Br
ad
you please Bertino
t
(yes, he
drinks c
Waking up to my 9 Fast Food… Fresh out
in the s offee
4 family in the
of the fryer French hower)
Fries
morning
4. T HE C LAW P AGE 4
surrounding travelers their Rest and
Homeward Recognizance is began.
We hope every Talon has a spectacu-
lar R&R and spoils their spouses! ;)
Bound
The path our fellow Talons take to get back to
their loved ones for two weeks out of the
deployment for Rest and Recognizance.
he countless hours flown through the
foreign countries of the Middle-East
over the Atlantic Ocean to one of the
two busiest International Airports in the
United States is considered priceless
time to Talon Soldiers.
Regardless if he or she is on a 12 hour
non-stop flight crammed next to a
stinky 400 lbs. man who hasn’t show-
ered in 15 days, nothing could dampen
their spirits.
Every month our Talons leave out of
Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan to begin
yet another adventurous ride to visit a
loved one or family.
Their 14 days of well deserved relaxa-
tion is started by a 6 hour flight to Ku-
wait. Followed by a 24-48 hour stay in
Kuwait. Then a long flight to either Dal-
las or Atlanta with the usual stop in
Germany to refuel. From there, they
food
variety of
have a short brief concluded by a con-
host to a ldiers find
necting flight to their final destination. Kuwait is h R&R So
in whic
Greeted by warm hugs of their loved chooses, l.
delightfu
ones and occasional clapping of especially
5. P AGE 5 V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 3
Chaplains Corner
Sometimes I hear Soldiers speak of leaving the Army to do a similar
job in the civilian market. There are many considerations for making
this kind of lifestyle change. Two of the most common considerations
are the amount of time spent away from family in the Army and oppor-
tunities for a higher income as a civilian. One thing that is not often
considered is the pride we have as Soldiers. This kind of pride is not
an unreasonable sense of self-superiority but rather a special satisfac-
tion in who we are and what we do. Although Soldiers endure difficult
circumstances at times we are rewarded with a unique sense of pride
for what we do as individuals and as an army.
After serving five years on active duty when I was younger I made a
decision to leave. While I have no regrets for leaving, one thing I
learned was that the sense of pride I had as a Soldier could not be du-
plicated in any civilian job I knew. There was simply nothing which
could replace what it felt like to be part of the Nation’s defense in an
organization which had long preserved our great freedoms.
The sense of pride makes a difference not only in our considerations
of continued military service but also in the way we experience life
while here. We may not have much here and may be missing much at
home, but we can be proud. Pride is a reward for doing difficult things
for the benefit of others. Pride is a reminder that everything we do
matters, whether flying missions, processing awards, fixing machines
or manning gates. This sense of pride also extends to our Families not
only because of what we do as Soldiers but because of what they do
to support us and share in the sacrifice. In the midst of great struggle
and sacrifice for us and our Families, we are proud of what we are ac-
complishing. We are proud to be Soldiers. Our Families are proud too.
CH (CPT) Marlon W. Brown
6. T HE C LAW P AGE 6
GLADIATORS
Spirits and morale are high as the Gladiators step into the New Year. We would like to
thank all of the Family members and FRGs that supported us throughout the holiday
season. Your packages and letters uplifted your Troopers during this pivotal time of the
year. The first snow fall of the year has reignited everyone’s inner child as snowball
fights and snowmen litter the Task Force Talon ramp. Although the snow has ground
many Task Force operations to a halt, the Gladiators have continued to press on. The
opening of the Task Force mailroom has lifted the spirits of many Troopers, guarantee-
ing the timely receipt and delivery of precious letters and packages. Gladiators have also
sought to develop professionally by participating in the Task Force promotion board and
Soldier of the Month board. Gladiators will continue to strive for excellence in all we do in
order to ensure Task Force Talon remains the greatest Task Force in the 82 nd Combat
Aviation Brigade.
Talon for a day….Talon for Life!
SGT George, S4 NCO, posing for the camera.
SFC Osborne, HHC S3 NCOIC, standing in
front of her “Wall of Soldiers”.
SGT Lemons and SPC Munoz (aka BIG
TIME), our S6 personal, pose hard!
7. P AGE 7 V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 3
ANIMALS
Hello, 2012 . . .
The holiday season has passed and a new year is upon us, which means the Animals are
in the “Middle 90 Days,” possibly the most dangerous time of any deployment. We are
comfortable with the mission, proficient in our duties and responsibilities, and complacency
is a very real risk.
Now more than ever it’s important to strive for personal excellence, a trait indicative of high-
caliber aviators and crew chiefs. Personal excellence was a concept taught by CW5 Lynn
Higgins, a former member of A CO 2-211th, whose career spanned 40 years from Vietnam
to Iraq.
Personal excellence entails doing your absolute best regardless of the situation, because in
the end only you know what you are capable of.
In the words of 1SG Randall: “No one remembers how you start a deployment, it’s all in
how you finish it.” Keep up the great work and check your attitude.
January has also brought some familiar sights to the Animals: craggy peaks covered in a
chilly blanket of white; striking sunsets casting orange, red, and purple rays across the sky;
and black helicopters lurking under a coat of fresh snow. It can be reminiscent of the wintry
months in Utah surrounded by Lone Peak, the Oquirrh Mountains, and a frozen Salt Lake.
Though Afghanistan doesn’t offer the “Greatest Snow on Earth,” it does often remind us of
the skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling waiting for us next year in Utah.
8. T HE C LAW P AGE 8
REGRET
The second quarter of this deployment is off to a slow start for Regret—providing a well de-
served break to all our crewmembers. We enjoyed the holidays and spread Christmas
cheer in the office with care packages from friends and family back home. Everyone in
Talon enjoyed using one of our Christmas trees as the back drop to their pictures and vid-
eos to send home. While we missed spending the holidays with our loved ones, at least
we were in good company with our Regret and Talon family.
With the New Year came some new weather. Those white caps on the mountains
surrounding Bagram slowly crept down towards us until we were engulfed in snow. We fi-
nally experienced some true weather days and were able to snap a company photo. Our
company is thoroughly enjoying the snow and the occasional snowball fights are breaking
out. It’s almost as if we were kids again—smiles are breaking out left and right. All the
snow has provided some down time for us to reflect on all the successful missions we have
flown thus far. Spirits are much higher with this little bit of a rest period.
All of our friends and family back home should check out our new Facebook page
for pictures and updates on what Regret is up to. Search for “A Co 3-82 CAB”…you won’t
regret it. Hope to hear from you soon!
CPT Teresa Haltom
Regret 26
9. P AGE 9 V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 3
FLIPPERS
Flipper Family and Friends,
Happy New Years to everyone. Thank you for your encouraging letters and emails,
your heartfelt packages and your never-ending support while we serve away from
home. It is never easy to be away from the ones we love especially during the holi-
days, but knowing that you are always there for us makes it all worthwhile.
We just recently completed a move from Sharana to Shank to increase the lift capacity
for Task Force Corsair. So far everyone is enjoying the new location because the food
is SLIGHTLY better and there are no more steep trenches to cross back and forth to
work.
Remember to be safe, look out for each other, enjoy your time with family and friends
and prepare for a great 2012. We love and miss you all.
All the Way,
Flipper 6
10. T HE C LAW P AGE 1 0
SPARTANS
Most units deploying to operations in the Middle East or Southwest Asia do so as a cohesive operational unit
when they arrive in theatre. There are exceptions, some of those exceptions are Bravo and Delta Company of the
7/ 158th Aviation Regiment. Both Bravo and Delta Company, the Aviation Maintenance Support, are U.S. Army
Reserve Units home based in Olathe, Kansas.
The units function is to support the Army’s heavy lift mission, utilizing the mighty Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicop-
ter. This particular aircraft has been in the U.S. Army inventory since 1964, starting with the early variant “A” mod-
els thru to the present modern CH-47F model that has been fielded to some of the Active Army CH-47 Units.
Presently most Reserve component and National Guard Units are using the CH-47D models while some units are
destined to make the transitional upgrade to the “F” model in the near future.
Bravo and Delta Companies last deployment to Afghanistan was in 2005-2006 while based in Kandahar. For the
present deployment the unit was activated on March 17, 2011. The aircraft and crews along with all the support
personnel were flown from Olathe, Kansas to Fort Hood, Texas for mobilization, then over to Operation Enduring
Freedom XI, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Once again, as in the previous 2005 deployment, the decision was
made that both units were going to be divided up into three separate locations while deployed in RC East, Bagram
Air Base, Forward Operating Base Shank and Forward Operating Base Salerno. Each unit at the three separate
locations are set up as individual functional sections with its own Company Commander and First Sergeant. Each
section situated and treated as an individual company within their corresponding Battalion Task Force under the
Brigade Task Force Poseiden.
As with Task Force Corsair and Wolfpack, here at Task Force Talon, under the Command of LTC Landy Dunham,
additional personnel resources came from various Army Reserve, National Guard and Active Army Units to fill the
needed positions. Army Reservist and Army National Guardsmen from Joint Base Fort Lewis / Mchord, Washing-
ton, Fort Eustis, Maryland, Fort Hood, Texas, New York. Also volunteer active duty soldiers from Korea and Hon-
duras answered the call to fill needed positions within Bravo Company.
CPT Jonathan Lackamp, 30, was the Commander for Delta Company and now Commander, Bravo Company,
Bagram Air Base, said, “Bravo Company being able to perform its mission with such a diverse group is amazing
and speaks highly of the Army Standardization Program”. “At the staff level there is a valuable experience to be
gained with all the different ways of doing things for the different components, i.e. NCOer’ s etc”, states First Ser-
geant Carter, 38 with twenty years of service in both Bravo and Delta Companies.
Talking with many of the aircrews from pilots, flight engineers and door gunners, the love of flying the mission is
what carries most of them through the tough times that are endured while on deployment. Army Reservist, Spc
Devon Boxa, 26, is one of the few female CH-47D Flight Engineers in the Army Reserve. She arrived into Bravo
Company after a reclassification into aviation from Construction Equipment Repairer. Spc Boxa observed, “Its
been a challenge in the beginning of the deployment with lots of different techniques from all the different person-
nel to accomplish the standard task and to achieve the mission goals”. Six year active duty soldier, Spc. John
Turner, 24, of Shoreline, Washington and assigned to B Company 3rd Bn 2 Bde 2nd ID in Korea, made the de-
ployment, arriving in Afghanistan on 27 June. Spc Turner also reclassed into Aviation as a 15U from the Chemi-
cal, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear MOS. While on deployment, many of the maintenance crews were
trained up to fill aircrew positions as Door Gunners or Crew Chiefs. Since attached with Bravo 7-158th Avn, he
has accumulated over 400 hours of day mission flying as a door gunner. Chief Warrant Officer Two Steven Stone,
29, also arrived with the Korea contingent, has flown more deliberate night missions than most of the other pilots.
When aircrews that have been put together from all the different units, who have not had a lot of time to do any
pre-deployment training created a real challenge that was overcome. “I have learned more on this deployment
than my previous two deployments to Iraq”, says CW2 Stone. Aircrews experiencing combat together unlike most
Occupational Specialties, form lifelong relationships beyond their Military Careers.
As mentioned above with all the various units helping to make up the company, ten in all, in the deployment, “The
Dirty Dime” was officially given as the alternate B Company name.
11. P AGE 1 1 V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 3
DUSTOFF
This month in Charlie Company 3-82 we wanted to highlight one of our MEDEVAC satellite sites at FOB Shank.
The operational tempo has significantly slowed down in our Area of Operations and specifically at Shank and
Ghanzi, which allowed the mission to be expanded and focused more on administrative and training opportuni-
ties. For example we have awarded several of our Flight Medics the Basic Aviation Badge; they have all worked
hard and really earned the right to wear their Wings. We also re-enlisted SFC Bethke…indefinitely. On New
Year’s Day Mr. Dave Schmiechen (3rd Platoon MTP) was promoted to CW3. He is our hard working Mainte-
nance Test Pilot and we couldn’t be happier for him! As stated above the focus has really shifted to training. One
of the most exciting training events was with “PUPPIES” (not really) but we did have a military working dog come
by the Shank AO. Our medics learned valuable information about treating a dog. Dogs do fall under our respon-
sibility for evacuation, so this is very important knowledge. Not to mention, who doesn’t like a dog around.
We are also working on depleting the hot chocolate supply in Afghanistan; we go through a 50 pack box every
few days. We have not been above freezing for several days now. Needless to say, we are using every piece of
issued cold weather gear. But fear not, our spirits are still high, due mostly to the hot chocolate supply. We had
six inches of snow on January 11th, which gave us an opportunity to practice de-snowing the entire aircraft. This
gave us a good reason to stay inside. Thanks to CW2 Jesse Russell’s guidance, we fought the urge to have
snowball fights. Unfortunately after it all melted the mess just created muddle trails for the next few days. Come
on back snow!
We’ve also been utilizing the slower operational tempo in our missions to expand our off duty activities. Shank
has moved on from Spades and Xbox and we are currently tackling the rare art form of Phase 10, which gets
pretty cut throat. SGT Glorfield really holds a grudge, but the game takes anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to play, so
it really helps pass the time. SPC Winn who is “visiting” from BAF for progression had some beginners luck (or
previous experience) and really dominated his first game, and has since been banned from playing.
A real highlight came on January 19th when 6 of our crewmembers: CW2 Puza, CW2 Burley, SSG Melocik, SGT
Cermak, SGT Butts, and SPC Jensen were awarded The Medal of the Polish Army (Bronze) by Polish LTG Ed-
ward Gruszka, in recognition of the hard work and contributions our MEDEVAC has done supporting the Polish
in the Ghanzi area. These Soldier’s professionalism and commitment to the MEDEVAC mission greatly reflects
on the dedication it takes to be DUSTOFF!! All the way!!
12. T HE C LAW P AGE 1 2
DARKHORSE
Greetings Darkhorse Family and Friends! This month brought D Company the new year accompanied by the
first snow! The snow was a welcomed guest as it gave the Darkhorses a chance to get ahead on a continu-
ally busy and never ending maintenance schedule. Not only did it give the company a boost for maintenance,
but it also allowed a little playtime. Snowmen started popping up all around the airfield as well as the occa-
sional snowball fight.
To welcome in the New Year, the Darkhorses celebrated on New Year’s Eve with a company barbeque. SFC
Dickerson and SSG Owens worked hard cooking up some hotdogs and hamburgers on the grills for the Dark-
horse Troopers. Other Darkhorses spent their time enjoying a cigar or a nice bottle of nearbeer.
In addition to celebrating the New Year, LTC Dunham took this time to acknowledge the achievement and
contributions of SFC Derk, SGT Bond, SPC Makela, PFC Greene and PFC Grim for their work on the DART
(Downed Aircraft RecoveryTeam) for the OH-58D last November. Each was awarded an Army Achievement
Medal. To top off the celebrations for the evening, SPC McGraw was welcomed into the NCO Corps with his
promotions to SGT. Congratulations SGT McGraw!
This month’s Shop of the Month is the CH-47 Maintenance Shop. This shop consists of 35 15Us, three of
which help run the tool room. The main-tainers in the 47 Shop work tirelessly with maybe a day between
phases. They are currently working on their seventh phase aircraft, in addition to all the non-scheduled main-
tenance. A phase can take any-where between 9-15 days to complete based on what type of phase it is and
how many problems are uncovered as they break the aircraft down and build it back up. SPC Njogu says that
one of the things he’s learned in this shop is “an understanding of what soldiers can really do,” as he’s seen
his team-mates work long and hard to exceed expectations and accomplish so much. Thanks to the CH-47
Shop for all your hard work!
D Company said good-bye to two Darkhorses this month. CPT Krueger is off to Battal-ion Headquarters to
work in the S3 shop as Battle Captain where she will continue to do great things for America. Thanks for all
your work you did as a Darkhorse. SPC Harrison from the Airframe shop headed home this month as he pre-
pares to ETS. You will be missed from the Darkhorse Family as well as the Army. Best of luck to you as you
head out from the Army.
RIDE OR DIE!!!
13. P AGE 1 3 V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 3
WAR DAWGS
This month Echo Company kicked back with a festive holiday party over Christmas. A special thanks
goes out to SFC Ramos and the Wardawg Troopers who organized and set up the party’s events that
went above and beyond expectations during a deployment. There was vocal entertainment provided
by Bagram based Soldiers and Airmen, in which they sung all the favorite holiday songs. We also en-
dured a rowdy rendition of Jingle Bells sung by the Wardawg NCOs, LTC Dunham, and CSM Evans.
Dinner was supplied by the DFAC that included the best buffalo wings in theater and another fabulous
hand decorated cake done by SGT Nash. AAFES provided an additional jolt to the party with a very
nice selection of gifts that were raffled throughout the evening. We also thank SGT Wagner for the
amazing display of break dancing that got the crowd fired up, capping off an awesome party.
HQ Platoon also found time in their busy schedule to “gather” some food for a New Year’s BBQ get
together that included hamburgers and hot dogs. SGT Tutt and SGT Buskirk demonstrated their cook-
ing skills on the grill again for the troops.
The outlaying FARPs have been busy with continuing improvements of their footprints. The Distro
Platoon has been working long hours in order to provide a more effective and efficient fueling and
arming process for our aircraft. CPT Wrinkle and 1SG Hatcher found the time during a recent visit to
enjoy a skewered summer sausage over an open fire pit out at FOB Morales-Frazier . SGT Rosado
has perfected the craft of “meat on a stick” dinner as pictured.
Kudos to the motor pool who have been hard at work manning the gate to the airfield, driving the bus,
issuing the weapons from the arms room, guarding the OCP compound, and even finding time to con-
duct some maintenance with limited personnel. All is done with motivation and a positive altitude as
the mission continues.
We are happy to announce and congratulate SGT Speight on his promotion from Specialist this
month. Congratulations also go out to SPC Mack and PFC Gallion who were recently recognized and
coined by the Brigade Commander, COL Jamison for exceptional performance of duties. Our featured
upcoming Trooper of the month will be PFC Bradshaw, Cody. He lived up to all the Seven Army Val-
ues (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage) while being
solicited to take a bribe from an Afghanistan National. He stepped up and did the right thing in the ab-
sence of others and reported the incident. This speaks volume for his character, more so on his Honor
and Integrity that he possessed that day.
14. T HE C LAW P AGE 1 4
BLACKHORSE
Happy New Year! We hope you all enjoyed the Holidays!
We had a fabulous Christmas! The Troop conducted a Secret Santa. The most popular items
were a couple knives that were given. They both were stolen a couple times during the exchange.
Santa delivered the Troop an Easy Bake Oven. CW2 Panza has been placed in charge of the
Easy Bake oven and thus far he has made one pizza, which was about the size of a silver dollar.
New Years was a good time, some of the Apache pilots rang in the New Year by bringing tidings of
peace to some of the terrorists. We have been operating all across the battle space. We have
been able to capture some bad dudes and find weapons. We’ve also been able to protect soldiers
on missions and we’ve protected the Koreans allowing them to sleep more peacefully, knowing
their base is secure. We’ve been very busy.
A few days ago we had our first snow days. The Troop had a lot of fun playing in the snow the first
day. We even had some international bonding as the Korean aviators joined us in the snow. After
the snow fall, we returned to work and dug our aircraft out.
Recently we welcomed 2 pilots into the Troop, WO1 Ibrahim and CW4 Wolgamott. They are both
anxious to join us in the fight and are great additions to our Troop!
CPT Scottie Pace & 1SG Donald Adkins
BlackHorse 6 BlackHorse 7
15. T HE C LAW P AGE 1 5
TALONS OF THE MONTH
SPC Munoz, Alexander
Company/MOS: HHC/ 25U Siganl Support System
Specialist
Hometown: Puerto Rico Baby!
Growing up I was small (5’6”) until high school I
grew to (6’3”)
Q: What do you do on your free time?
A: Play Skyrim on XBOX
Q: What do you want to achieve in your MOS this
deployment?
A: Make cutoff and become and NCO
Q: Goals for this deployment?
A: Obtain Network + and Cisco certificates
Q: What do you miss most about home?
A: My wife and dog
Q: Would you rather be able to breathe underwater
or in outer space?
A: Outer Space so I could be the next Darth Vader.
SPC Mckean, Nicholas
Company/MOS: A 2-211/ 15T UH-60
Crew Chief
Hometown: Layton, Utah
I like long walks on the beach.
Q: What do you do on your free time?
A: Reading the dictionary
Q: What do you want to achieve in your
MOS this deployment?
A: Become Promotable
Q: Goals for this deployment?
A: Just be the best man!
Q: What do you miss most about home?
A: The cold weather and mountains!
16. P AGE 1 6 V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 3
SPC Penecost, Rodney
Company/MOS: A 3-82 / 15T Blackhawk Crew
Chief
Hometown: Greens Folk, Indiana
I played piano for 8 years
Q: What do you do on your free time?
A: Go to the gym and study
Q: What do you want to achieve in your MOS this
deployment?
A: I want to become promotable
Q: Goals for this deployment?
A: Finish Associates (only two classes left)
Q: What do you miss most about home?
A: My 6 month old baby boy and my wife
Q: Would you rather be able to breathe underwater
or in outer space?
A: Underwater so I can swim with the sharks
SPC Randal Roberge
Company/MOS: B 3-82/ 15U CH-47 Crew
Chief
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Q: What do you do on your free time?
A: Going to the gym and watching movies NO
on my laptop
PICTUR
Q: What do you want to achieve in your E
MOS this deployment? AVAILA
BLE
A: Progressing to Flight Engineer
Q: Goals for this deployment?
A: To achieve my Sergeant rank
Q: What do you miss most about home?
A: The freedom to go to the
beach/mountains and just the feeling of
being able to just get up and go if I wanted
to.
17. T HE C LAW P AGE 1 7
SPC Friend, Christopher
Company/MOS: B 7-158/ 15U CH-47 Crew
Chief
Hometown: Fayetteville, North Carolina
I am the oldest of six
Q: What do you do on your free time?
A: Video games!
Q: What do you want to achieve in your MOS
this deployment?
A: I am content where I am.
Q: Goals for this deployment?
A: Start college courses and become promo-
table
Q: What do you miss most about home?
A: Being able to cook for myself
Q: Would you rather be able to breathe under-
water or in outer space?
A: Underwater because it seems more plausi-
ble.
SPC Furr, Simone
Company/MOS: C 3-82/ 15P Aviation Operation
Specialist
Hometown: Copperas Cove, TX
When I was born, my eyes were gray.
Q: What do you do on your free time?
A: I play computer games, Workout, watch dvd's on
my computer.
Q: What do you want to achieve in your MOS this
deployment?
A: I basically want To know the ins and outs of my
job, so when someone comes to me, They are
100% confident I can get what they need for me to
do done.
Q: Goals for this deployment?
A: Get at least 2 classes In college done.
Q: What do you miss most about home?
A: Ordering from places you can't here (ie. China
garden, papa jonh's).
18. P AGE 1 8 V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 3
SPC Njogu, Simon
Company/MOS: D 3-82/ 15U CH-47 Mechanic
Hometown: Wichita, Kansas
Born and raised in Kenya
Q: What do you do on your free time?
A: Read articles and journals online
Q: What do you want to achieve in your MOS
this deployment?
A: Learn more about the CH-47 airframe
Q: Goals for this deployment?
A: Stay safe and get the mission done
Q: What do you miss most about home?
A: My wife! :)
Q: Would you rather be able to breathe under-
water or in outer space?
A: Outer Space because I am afraid of water
PV2 Cody Bradshaw
Company/MOS: E 3-82/ 92F Petroleum Spe-
cialist
Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina
I enjoy singing in the shower
Q: What do you do on your free time?
A: Fish and Hunt
Q: What do you want to achieve in your MOS
this deployment?
A: Develop leadership skills and run my own
shift
Q: Goals for this deployment?
A: Pass PT test, get back my rank, learn how
to better myself and live up to the army val-
ues.
Q: What do you miss most about home?
A: Spending time with the wife.
19. T HE C LAW P AGE 1 9
SPC Snead,Stephen
Company/MOS: F Trp 1/17/ 15S OH-58 Me-
chanic
Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky
I use to stutter when I was a kid.
Q: What do you do on your free time?
A: Play guitar and go to the gym.
Q: What do you want to achieve in your MOS
this deployment?
A: Get promoted
Q: Goals for this deployment?
A: Getting promoted is really my only goal
Q: What do you miss most about home?
A: My little girl, who will be turning 3 Jan 27th.
Q: Would you rather be able to breathe under-
water or in outer space?
A: Underwater because it seems like it would be
cooler to explore.
20. TALON FOR A DAY
Our address is still the same:
LAST NAME, FIRST
TF TALON, C/O
BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN
APO, AE 09354
Feel free to send me an email if
you have any suggestions or
questions. Until next time...
SPC Porter, Amber
TF Talon PAO
amber.m.porter@us.army.mil
Families are like
fudge—mostly sweet
with a few nuts.
— Authour Unknown
TALON FOR LIFE!