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In This Issue
Antiterrorism Exercise
News
Best Ranger Competition - Ranger Stakes
National Infantry Museum
MWR Events

Hot Topics

 

There will be heavy weapons firing on Fort Benning all day today through Friday and Monday through March 25.

 

Fort Benning is working in partnership with the Clean Air Campaign to reduce air pollutants.  

The first step is the commuting survey, which will determine commuting trends on Fort Benning and help determine the pounds of pollution that are being eliminated when vanpools and carpools are formed. Please take a moment to complete the survey:

http://www.survey 

monkey.com/s/FortBenning

 

 

Upcoming:

  

The Land Management Branch, DPW will be conducting a prescribed burn within the I-4, I-7, and J-7 training compartments today. The wind is predicted to be from the Southwest and will keep smoke away from sensitive areas. For more information, call 706-544-7075.

 

The 24th annual 46th Infantry Regimental Torchlight Ceremony is at 7:30 p.m. March 27 at 2nd Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment, Building 3530 on Sand Hill. RSVP by Saturday. For more information, call 706-545-4454.

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MCoE preps for 2011 Reconnaissance Summit  

 

MCoE preps for 2011 Reconnaissance Summit Senior leaders from around the Army will gather here early next month for the 2011 Maneuver Center of Excellence Reconnaissance Summit.

 

The conference makes its Fort Benning debut April 6-8 at Harmony Church, the Armor School's new home. It had been staged annually under the old Armor Center at Fort Knox, Ky. This year's theme is "Enabling Operational Adaptability through Reconnaissance."

 

The opening day is devoted to vendors, who will display the latest reconnaissance and surveillance technologies. The public is invited to view static exhibits including an M3A3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle, M1127 Stryker Reconnaissance Vehicle and M1151 Up-Armored Humvee.  

 

"There are reconnaissance organizations in every type of maneuver unit out there," said Capt.  Christian Reese.    


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Antiterrorism exercise March 30

 

Installation officials are scheduled to conduct the annual antiterrorism/force protection exercise March 30.

"The purpose of this exercise is to test and train the installation's ability to prevent, detect and defend against natural and manmade crisis and to validate existing plans and policies," said Matt Yaninas of the Installation Force Protection Office.

The exercise will include realistic training in which there will be increased traffic from first responders on Fort Benning. On March 30 personnel on the installation should be prepared for increased police, fire, and rescue activity.

Those arriving on the installation may incur detours, closed roads and traffic delays at entry gates, to include possible gate closures and/or other force-protection measures.

"Thank you in advance for your patience during this important exercise," said Yaninas.


News 

75th Ranger Regiment hosts 'team-building' Ranger Family Day

 

75th To be a U.S. Army Ranger, a Soldier must be a male U.S. citizen on active-duty status, Airborne qualified and eligible to obtain a secret clearance.  

 

The Soldier must also score well on two military tests measuring mental and physical prowess before being admitted to the 75th Ranger Regiment.

 

But regulations were relaxed slightly Saturday to admit a different kind of Ranger - the civilian families of regimental personnel.

 

Ranger Family Day gave more than 400 wives, children, parents and siblings and extended family the opportunity to see what the unit is all about. They took turns rappelling, navigating obstacle courses, riding in Striker vehicles and shooting M4 rifles.

 

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Army drill sergeant, Air Force training instructor reverse roles

 

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A drill sergeant exchange between Army and Air Force cadre may yield insight into possible training improvements for both services.

 

Fort Benning's 192nd Infantry Brigade and Lackland Air Force Base's 37th Training Wing are participating in an exchange between an Army drill sergeant and an Air Force training instructor considered experts in their field.  

 

Staff Sgt. David Peters, of the 192nd's A Company, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, is currently in San Antonio, Texas, the site of the Air Force's sole initial entry training center. 


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Combatives championship to move to Fort Hood

 

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For the first time since its inception in 2005, the U.S. Army Combatives Tournament will be staged somewhere other than Fort Benning.

 

This year's installment is headed to Fort Hood, Texas, which was given the opportunity to host after III Corps won the Lacerda Cup here last fall as team champion. The 2011 All-Army showdown is set for July 20-23.


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Minnesota dominates National Guard Combatives Tournament  

 

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Soldiers from the state of Minnesota were a dominating presence at the fourth annual Army National Guard Combatives Tournament March 19 and 20, where they took four first-place titles in addition to walking away with the overall team award.

 

Soldiers from 18 states competed in the two-day competition at Fort Benning, Ga., in a grand prix-style tournament that escalated from no-strike grappling rounds to full-contact Ultimate Fighting Championship-style finals.

 

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Female aviators defy reported odds

 

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- When Chief Warrant Officer 4 Trudy Truax arrived at her first unit as an OH-58A pilot in 1996, her commander refused her orders.

 

"I've had my own battalion commanders not speak to me," Truax said.

 

Truax was one of the first females to join the community of Cobra, Apache and Kiowa pilots after then-President Bill Clinton lifted the restrictions that kept women from flying the traditionally combat-focused rotary-wing birds. She was one of only six women in her class - three from West Point and three warrant officers.

 

Today, she's the only one of the six still serving in the Army, and she serves as the standardization instructor pilot for Company C (Dustoff), 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment, which is currently deployed to Afghanistan with Task Force Thunder, the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade.

 
 

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Soldier's epic journey in pursuit of happiness

 

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BASRAH, Iraq -- There was no turning back for the 22-year-old native son of Havana, Cuba, as he and three others paddled across the open sea on their tiny boat. Growing up in a country where military service is mandatory, the black market is a common source for staples, and listening to a radio station from the United States is taboo, this Cuban soldier wanted no more.

"When I left Cuba, I just threw my life to whatever happens," said Sgt. 1st Class Luis E. Alfaro, now an American Soldier in the 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard. "I didn't want to be in Cuba any more, so I just jumped in a boat and started rowing. I escaped."

 

It was Aug. 19, 1994 when he decided to flee his native country and head to America. The decision to leave those he loved was not an easy one.    

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Karzai announces areas to transition to Afghan control

 

WASHINGTON -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai announced the first seven areas of his country that will transition to full Afghan security control.

The announcement marks the beginning of the process that will see Afghan forces responsible for security across the whole country by the end of 2014.

In a speech in the Afghan capital of Kabul, Karzai announced that the area around Kabul, except the Sarobi district, will transition. 

  

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Congressional Fellowship Program accepting applications

 

WASHINGTON -- Applications are now being accepted for Soldiers and Army civilians to apply for fellowship positions with members of the 113th Congress.

 

Active-duty and reserve-component Soldiers as well as Department of the Army civilians all have the opportunity to participate in the Fiscal Year 2013 Army Congressional Fellowship Program.

 

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  Click here to read more news    

   

The 2011 Best Ranger Competition is coming soon!  April 15-18

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The three-day competition will challenge the two-man Ranger teams in events that will test their physical conditioning, Ranger skills and team strategies. The events are purposely scheduled back-to-back and around the clock from the start of the competition to the finish line.

Click on the image to check out the video! 

 

 

Watch other MCoE and Fort Benning Videos at our Vimeo page!  www.vimeo.com/fortbenningtv

National Infantry Museum


Former Fort Benning commander wants continues helping the Infantry

 

Retired LTG Carmen Cavezza, recently elected interim chair of the National Infantry Foundation's Board of Directors, is stepping into the position left when MG Jerry White (Ret), retired from the foundation last year.  

 

Cavezza, who continues as executive director for Columbus State University's Cunningham Center, said he felt it was his duty. "I am an infantryman and have a great stake in the museum, like all infantrymen" said the former Chief of Infantry.  "I consider it a very important job and a big responsibility."  

 

He pointed out that Ben Williams and Greg Camp will be running the National Infantry Museum on a day-to-day basis. But Cavezza plans to do more than just chair bi - monthly Foundation meetings.  

 

"The focus is on fundraising," he explained. "It (the museum) has been brought into great shape and I want to be involved in helping to close this out."  In addition to paying off the construction debt, money is still needed to complete two of the era galleries. Cavezza says that in the past the National Infantry Museum has received government support but he doesn't see that continuing in the near future so citizens need to step up.

 

Cavezza expects the interim job as chairman will last about six months while the board identifies the right person to take over. "It's important to the whole community," he said of the successful operation and continuing growth of the museum. "I want to make sure everyone understands just how significant this national treasure is," he added.

 

After retiring from the Army in 1994, Cavezza headed the Columbus Olympic Committee and then served as city manager for the Columbus Consolidated Government. Story by Borden Black 


Taking care of the best military community in the Army!

Upcoming DFMWR events:

 

The Wounded Warriors Horsemanship Program returns to Fort Benning's Wetherby

Field from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 2. The program was designed by a retired Soldier, Sam Rhodes, to help rehabilitate wounded combat veterans and those suffering from PTSD.  

 

Rhodes periodically partners with MWR's Outdoor Recreation to offer the program to

the military community for free as a means of sharing the good news about the therapeutic benefits of equestrian activities. We believe programs and activities such as this promote the mental and physical well being of the whole family.

 

This event, which will include demonstrations, instruction on horsemanship

and riding, is open to all Soldiers, veterans, retirees, DoD civilian employees and family members. Registration is required because space is limited. Call 706-545-7978.

 

More DFMWR events:

 

Track and Field

Register your child, between 8 and 18 years old, for Track and Field by March 31 at CYSS Parent Central, Building 104 on Marchant Avenue. The cost is $25. For more info, call 706-545-2079.

 

Movies Under the Stars

Warmer weather means Movies Under the Stars! Join us at 8:30 p.m. every Friday in April at Wetherby Field for a free family-friendly movie. Coolers and pets are welcome, but we'll supply the free popcorn.

 

Archery shoots

Uchee Creek will host competitive archery shoots, starting at 9 a.m., the second Saturday of each month - April 9, May 14 and June 11. This event is open to the public. For more info, call 706-685-3060.

 

Hit the trail!

The Fort Benning Mountain Bike Race will start at 9 a.m. April 9 at the Fitness Trail on Main Post. This is a rugged course, 6 to 10 miles long. Registration begins March 21 at Smith Fitness Center. The top three male and female finishers will receive awards. For more info, e-mail [email protected]


"Whose song Are you gonna kiss me or not?"

Thompson Square is topping country charts all across the country, will perform free at the Benning Brew Pub at 7:30 p.m. April 13. This is an outdoor family event. Bring your lawn chairs, but leave the pets and the coolers at home! Refreshments will be available.

 

Kings Pond Campout

Mark your calendars with the spring Kings Pond campout schedule. Call 706-545-7978 to reserve your spot for the April 16 or May 21 campout, which will include boating, games, fireside stories and s'mores. This event is free and designed for all ages. Pets are welcome.