Wolfpack its deployment and throughout

my tenure as commander.

This past month the Wolfpack conducting two promotion cere-

monies. CPT Jackson was re-cently promoted to MAJ, and

PV2 Martin was promoted to

PFC. In addition to the promo-tions, HHC had the privilege of

recognizing those Soldiers who performed above the standard

in their duties. The Soldiers of the S-1 section earned Army

Achievement Medals for their outstanding efforts distributing

60,000 pounds of mail during the Holiday season, a 60%

increase over typical postal operations. In addition to

these awards, SPC Darby re-

ceived the Good Conduct Medal

for her outstanding service in the S-6 shop.

I would also like to thank Sheri

Beck for all of her selfless work as the FRG Leader. She recently

passed her duties to Victoria

Goepfert and Gina Oden who will co-lead the FRG for the foresee-

able future. The Wolfpack truly appreciates Victoria and Gina for

volunteering and taking the time to contribute to such a great

organization. To all Wolfpack Family and friends, I extend my

thanks for your personal service and sacrifice to our team!

Wolfpack 6

31 January 2012

Volume 3, Issue 1

TASK FORCE

LOBOS

Featuring updates from:

HHC/Wolfpack 1

A CAC/Vultures

A ASLT/Werewolves

B CO/Blackcats

2

B ATK/Reapers

C CO/Witchdoctors

D CO/ Outlaws

3

E CO/Renegades

F CO/Ravens

Rear Det/Rear Guard

4

analysis of the operation order,

and will soon provide guidance to our companies. Redeploying

the aircraft, vechiles, equip-ment, and Soldiers of the Bri-

gade’s largest aviation task force will require detailed plan-

ning, engaged leadership at all

levels, and the diligent efforts of every member of our team.

Although this brings with it chal-lenging work, it also signifies the

gradual approach to the conclu-sion of our tour in Afghanistan.

While on mid-tour leave in the

Fort Hood area, I made a per-sonal visit to our Rear Detach-

ment. During this visit, I exe-cuted the Detachment change

of command, welcoming CPT Fritz Beck as the new Rear

Guard Commander. I also took the opportunity to meet several

new Soldiers, and observe the work the Rear Detachment con-

ducts on a daily basis. This visit assured me that our Rear De-

tachment remains well led, en-gaged in its mission, and com-

posed of dedicated Soldiers eager to contribute to the Task

Force. - LOBO6

Capel praised the discipline, ex-

cellence, and leadership of the Task Force’s noncommissioned

officers and Soldiers, taking spe-cial notice of the teamwork be-

tween the aviation support func-tions and aircrews that enable

each mission to take place.

This month, the Task Force con-

ducted its most complex air as-sault to date, involving four differ-

ent airframes, a multi-national assault force, and requiring our

aircrews to execute extremely difficult tactical maneuvers at

remote sites. We depended on each of our nine companies to

flawlessly conduct its mission under the increased pressure of a

high profile mission. Our success, including the capture of several

high value enemies, speaks vol-umes of our Soldiers’ intense skill

and professionalism.

This month we received the Bri-gade’s redeployment operation

order, which thoroughly outlined the preparations, responsibilities,

and tasks that will lead to our return to Fort Hood. The Battal-

ion staff immediately began

Although I’ve been in command

for a short period of time, I can-not be more proud of the Wolf-

pack. Every Soldier has impressed me

with their commit-ment to completing

their part of the Task

Force’s mission. Despite the colder

temperatures, they maintain positive

attitudes and our motivated and hard-

working Soldiers take care of each

other. I look forward to leading the Wolf-

pack as it completes

SPC Bently and SPC Darby receive awards from LTC Huff

during a promotion ceremony on Camp Marmal.

LTC Huff and Command Sergeant Major

Soliz stand beside the massive Task Force

Lobos mural at Camp Marmal, Afghanistan.

Task Force Lobos, Regional Command-North, Afghanistan

Task Force Commander Task Force Lobos began the new

year by building upon the reputa-tion for excellence and reliability

that our passengers expect. Occasional breaks in the harsh

winter weather allowed us to fly more hours in January than in

previous winter months, enabling

a larger role for our Task Force in the broader Regional Command-

North mission. After eight full months of combat operations,

our supported ground forces rely heavily on the unique capabilities

that our forces bring to the fight.

This month we executed a battle-field circulation for the ISAF Com-

mand Sergeant Major just days after his assumption of responsi-

bility. During his visit, our crews conducted several VIP move-

ment missions in Regional Com-mand-North, enabling CSM Capel

to visit several of our mission partners. At the end of his visit,

he made a special point to visit with Task Force Lobos, where he

met the hardworking men and women who contributed to the

success of his battlefield circula-tion. Upon his departure, CSM

Vultures

Despite our hope for warmer temperatures

and better flying conditions, January contin-

ued to present unfavorable weather for our

crews. To overcome the challenge presented

by the winter weather, our crew chiefs and

night shift pilots installed insulation in our

flight line tents to keep us warm during mis-

sion planning. Despite the slower mission

schedule, the Vultures continued to excel in

all VIP missions, conducting air movement

missions for the chief logistician in Afghani-

stan as well as the ISAF Joint Command

Commander.

Whenever possible, Vulture instructor pilots

conducted training for pilots and crews.

Having recently completed external tank

qualification, pilots are now conducting sling

load and Night Vision Goggle proficiency

training. This training, often conducted be-

tween combat missions, will enhance our

company’s capabilities to support the troops

on the ground throughout northern Afghani-

stan, and makes the team more versatile.

The Vultures continued to make an impact

throughout the Battalion on short notice

missions. The Vulture night crew, led by CW3

Harrington, aided in an important downed

aircraft recovery mission and provided assis-

tance rescuing its pilots. Secondly, the Vul-

tures provided quick reaction teams during

a day-long air assault operation. Our contri-

bution to the mission led to the capture of

several high level combatants and helped

reinstate security for the local populace.

This month the Vultures promoted Specialist

Adamos to Sergeant. He demonstrates an

excellent work ethic to the company and is a

leader among our company’s Soldiers. His

well deserved promotion recognized his

efforts helping maintain eight fully mission

capable aircraft to compete our missions.

Thanks to all of our supporters as we com-

plete our mission in Afghanistan!

As we complete the first month of 2012, the

Blackcats look forward to completing our

Blackcats

ences thus far. Later in the month SPC

Resmondo proved worthy of promotion to

Sergeant at the Battalion Promotion Board.

Congratulations to SPC Resmondo for

achieving this milestone!

Additionally, SGT Redman assumed the

duties as 2nd Flight Platoon Sergeant. SFC

Taylor, the previous platoon sergeant for

2nd Platoon, moved to the Lobos’ Delta

Company to lead Soldiers in the completion

of essential maintenance on the Task

Force’s fleet. Finally, CPT Denton success-

fully completed the Pilot-In-Command se-

lection process, and now serves as a fully

qualified Day and Night Pilot-in-Command.

As always, we offer our deepest thanks to

our outstanding FRG and Family members

for their support of our ongoing mission in

Afghanistan.

Werewolves

As the Werewolves entered 2012, our team

demonstrated its stalwart commitment to

safely and proficiently completing assigned

missions. Despite an increased demand

for our capabilities as Task Force Lobos’

only assault helicopter company and a

decrease in available crews due to R&R,

the Werewolves employed the highest lev-

els of teamwork and selfless service to

complete assigned missions.

This month, the Werewolves celebrated the

promotion of SPC Christensen to Sergeant.

In celebration of this event and to welcome

2012, CPT Moore hosted the first “Coffee

and Cohiba Night,” which included a bon-

fire, gourmet coffee, cigars, and an oppor-

tunity for aircrews to reflect on our experi-

Page 2 TASK FORCE LOBOS

Several Vultures pose with LTC Huff and CSM Soliz

following SGT Adamos’ promotion ceremony.

mission in Afghanistan and preparing for

redeployment. Throughout January, the

Blackcats continued to demonstrate the

highest levels of discipline and aviation ex-

pertise, setting the example as the premier

heavy lift company in theater. Our excep-

tional aviators and crew members contrib-

uted to the success of each Blackcat mis-

sion, overcoming adverse weather, in-

creased mission demands, and the constant

absence of key personnel due to R&R leave.

This month, four pilots were nominated for a

Pilot-in-Command evaluation that will be

administered during the next two months.

Their success during these evaluations will

increase the Company’s combat capabilities,

CPT Denton and CW2 Russell pose beside the American

flag secured to a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.

CW2 Skelton and CW2 Westra complete mission

planning before a flight from Camp Marmal.

and will serve as a major milestone in their

development as aviators. Additionally, the

company conducted continuous training of

aviators and crew members, using inclem-

ent weather days as opportunities to in-

crease the skill of our aircrews. The com-

pany also began preparations for its upcom-

ing Aviation Resource Management Survey.

This inspection ensures aviation units meet

Department of the Army requirements in the

conduct of our duties.

We continue to receive packages and letters

from our Family and friends, and we’d like to

thank each of you for the continued support.

As always, we thank the exceptional ladies

who lead our readiness group for their dedi-

cation to our Soldiers.

hearts remain with our loved ones at home.

Dustoff!!

Volume 3, Issue 1

Outlaws

As we push through the long days of a very

cold winter, and the holiday season fades from

recent memory, the Reapers came one month

closer to packing up and heading back to

Texas. January was a busy month for us as

breaks in the winter weather enabled the

company to fly more hours and contribute to

the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade’s mission.

The first order of business for the month is

to thank all of the Families and friends who

helped make the holidays so special through

all of the care packages, food, cards, and

well wishes we received throughout the pre-

vious month. Though we were far from

home, we had a stocking hanging for every

Soldier in the company and appreciated all

of the efforts the FRG put into making every-

one feel close to home and those we love.

As many in the Reaper family heard, the

company endured a serious incident when

one of our aircraft made a hard landing

while out on mission. Thankfully, both pilots

walked away from the incident uninjured.

Additionally, everyone in the company and

Task Force acted quickly and appropriately

in 2011, the company engaged in multiple

major missions that enabled the Lobos to

successfully support the ground troops with

fully mission capable aircraft. Aircraft main-

tenance has been unrelenting in the New

Year, and the Outlaws confidently faced the

demands of the Battalion’s operations

tempo by exceeding expectations in every

instance.

Task Force Lobos contributed to our Sol-

diers’ high morale through a new program

that rewards a different maintainer every

week with a Battalion Coin and Certificate of

Achievement. Delta Company Soldiers

jumped at the chance to be recognized for

The month

of January

proved

both busy

and re-

warding

for the

Outlaws.

Motivated

to start a

new year

and build

on our

great work

the excellent work they do on a daily basis.

The company has begun preparing for the

upcoming change of responsibility for our

company first sergeant. 1SG Parras has been

an invaluable asset to the Outlaw family and

will be returning to Fort Hood after the

change of responsibility to set conditions for

the Battalion’s redeployment.

We have started preparing equipment for turn

in and have started packing our first contain-

ers for redeployment. The Soldiers are very

excited to start the tasks of cleaning and

packing the equipment for what lay ahead.

We can see the light at the end of the tunnel

and look forward to our return home.

Norwegian Soldiers into realistic live training

exercises. Our goal during these events re-

mains to prepare our supported ground

forces for the critical moment when they

may call upon our services in the heat of

battle. Additionally, we began basic famili-

arization training with Afghan medics, a defi-

nite step toward handing the reigns of medi-

cal response to the Afghans. These fledgling

warriors look up to our Soldiers and typically

show sincere eagerness to learn how we

conduct business.

As we wade into the final third of the deploy-

ment, we remind ourselves to keep attentive

to our mission and the daily tasks that en-

sure we operate in the safest manner possi-

ble. Your support, in all regards, gives us

the strength and focus to accomplish our

mission in Afghanistan, even while our

Greetings from the Witchdoctors of Charlie

Company. With our completion of January,

the company eagerly looked forward to

slightly warmer weather and our quickly

approaching redeployment. Our aircrews

remain fully committed to providing the high-

est standard of medical evacuation and

patient care in all of Afghanistan. Through-

out dozens of missions executed during the

month, our crews exceeded expectations of

proficiency, responsiveness, and safety.

Looking back, the month of January stands

out as one of the Witchdoctor’s most pro-

ductive, as each site conducted valuable

multi-national training while remaining vigi-

lant in its critical MEDEVAC mission. We

continued to integrate German, Finnish, and

Page 3

Witchdoctors

1SG Dove supervises hoist training involving German

Soldiers at Camp Marmal.

to immediately recover both pilots and the

aircraft. Throughout the incident, the Task

Force Lobos’ team displayed incredible

teamwork and the highest levels of profi-

ciency as it came together to complete the

recovery.

As the remaining days in Afghanistan draw

to a close, we continue planning for our re-

deployment to Fort Hood. This month began

the effort in earnest, as aircraft transfers

and plans for packing and shipping equip-

ment home helped posture the brigade for a

smooth redeployment. In addition to equip-

ment movement, our Soldiers sharpened

their skills as crew members, recertifying

individual and crew skills and conducting

training in the air and on the ground. These

efforts will position the company for success

through the remainder of the deployment

and after we have returned home. Members of the Reapers’ night shift pose for a

photograph by the Company command post.

Reapers

SPC Sargent and SPC Masteller prepare

an engine for installation on a UH-60.

The month of January proved an extremely

busy month for Echo Company. The Sol-

diers continued to accomplish every task

thrown their way. Despite a high operations

tempo, our Soldiers showed higher motivation

as they prepared to redeploy.

Maintenance Platoon received 2LT Davis as

its new Platoon Leader. The Platoon’s Sol-

diers assisted in equipment layouts and in-

ventories during his transition, while continu-

ing to complete day-to-day missions. Our

Soldiers worked 40 straight hours with mini-

mum breaks to replace a fuel truck’s engine,

recovered seven vehicles, and conducted

services on trucks and generators.

The Distribution Platoon issued 115,000

gallons of fuel and 18 types of ammunition to

aircraft this month. Their rotational work

schedule allowed Soldiers to conduct opera-

tions at each site while gaining valuable ex-

perience. The Platoon welcomed 1LT Gaines

as its Platoon Leader, and 5 new Soldiers

joined the team to enhance capabilities.

This month Headquarters Platoon passed a

Preventive Medicine inspection at the Air-

field DFAC. They also completed the pack-

ing of equipment that will be redeployed to

Fort Hood. The Soldiers from Headquar-

ters Platoon also started laying the founda-

tion for a new building they will soon con-

struct for Distribution Platoon.

All three platoons came together to support

a very big air assault mission the Lobos

recently completed. Our Soldiers assisted

this mission with fuel transportation, food

for the assault force of 350 Soldiers, and

dispensed 15,000 gallons of fuel during

the mission. This team effort demon-

strated the excellence with which the

Renegades complete assigned missions.

Renegades

refurbishment of the Kunduz gym.

At MES, I selected SFC Mcleod to serve as

company first sergeant while 1SG Pinckney

enjoyed his much deserved leave. Addition-

ally this month, SPC Willis received special

training in the seizure of Air Traffic Control

facilities. This unique training will prove in-

valuable as he continues to develop as a

Soldier and future leader in the Army Air Traf-

fic Control community.

Meymaneh saw our last Private First Class

join the ranks of Specialist this month. Con-

gratulations to SPC Emory. Additionally, Shin-

dand celebrated another Raven’s promotion

to SGT. Congratulations to SGT Whittaker for

reaching this milestone in your career, and

welcome to the NCO ranks. Both promotions

signify these Soldiers’ potential for service in

positions of increased responsibility.

As to be expected, Fox Company continues

to set the standard for performance and

discipline.

I remain

proud of

our for-

mation

and

thankful

for all the

support

we con-

tinue

receiving

from

home.

Ravens!

Ravens

The month of January proved a month of

transition for the Rear Guard. In addition

to our ongoing mission to prepare Soldiers

to deploy, care for injured Soldiers, and

provide assistance to individuals preparing

to depart the Army, the Rear Guard wel-

comed a new commander and firmly em-

braced a new mission — setting conditions

for the

impend-

ing return

of our

forward

deployed

Soldiers.

This month, the Rear Guard hosted LTC Huff

during his short visit to Fort Hood. His visit

provided him with the opportunity to person-

ally meet the dozens of new Soldiers who ar-

rived to the Lobos Team after the start of the

deployment. He also provided guidance to the

Rear Guard leadership regarding its prepara-

tions to receive the Task Force following its

upcoming redeployment to Fort Hood.

The Rear Guard also welcomed CPT Fritz Beck

as its new commander. Formerly the com-

mander of the Lobos’ Headquarters Company

at Camp Marmal, Afghanistan, CPT Beck will

command the Rear Detachment through the

remainder of the Lobos’ deployment, as well

as during the reintegration and max leave

period that immediately follows the Task

Force’s return. The seamless transitions be-

Rear Guard

This month, the Ravens remained intensely

focused on continuing operations and plan-

ning for redeployment. SGT Sanders, SSG

Williams, and SSG Ramos have been se-

lected to serve as our company’s redeploy-

ment NCOICs, and have dedicated them-

selves to making the upcoming transition

as smooth as possible. Their efforts plan-

ning for redeployment will pay dividends as

we approach our return home!

At Kunduz, WO1 Millan and his team have

continued to provide first class air traffic

control services for a growing population of

supported airframes. They have happily

noted improvements in the quality of life at

their location, including the installation of a

US dining facility and the expansion and

SPC Desmond and PFC Castleberry conduct

maintenance in the Renegade motor pool.

Soldiers pose for a photo next to the

Kunduz tower following shift change.

tween CPT Berg, CPT Anderson, and now

CPT Beck over the past several months dem-

onstrate the strength of the Rear Guard

leaders and Soldiers, especially considering

the Detachment’s responsibility for a battal-

ion-sized property book and our ever-

expanding footprint on the Fort Hood Air-

field.

The Rear Guard remains committed to serv-

ing all Task Force Lobos Family members

throughout the remaining months of the

deployment. Family members are encour-

aged to contact their company Family Readi-

ness Groups for information, or the Rear

Guard via the following email addresses:

CPT Fritz Beck at frtiz.beck@us.army.mil and

SFC Kort Hurley at kort.l.hurley@us.army.mil.