Army

By: Tim Reeves, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Research and Development Center

As responders continue to help North Carolina communities devastated by Hurricane Helene, a team from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), headquartered in Vicksburg, Mississippi, is providing high-quality aerial imagery to guide recovery efforts.
The ERDC Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (ERDC UAS) team has been deployed to three mountainous counties in northwest North Carolina, where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is helping clear roadways that have been obstructed by floodwaters and mudslides. These aerial images are providing responders with a clearer and more complete bird’s-eye view of the damage.
“This data we are collecting, much of it in areas that are very rural, will be used to pinpoint routes that can be cleared and reach areas, and people, in need of assistance,” Jenny Laird, ERDC UAS program manager, said.
Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm that made landfall on Florida’s northern Gulf Coast Sept. 26, also brought torrential rain and flooding much further inland, inflicting massive destruction in the Appalachian region of Tennessee and North Carolina. By Sept. 28, hundreds of roads were blocked across western North Carolina because of flooding and other damage.
The request for UAS support came from Soldiers with the 27th Engineer Battalion (27th EN BN), who were in North Carolina as part of Task Force Castle. Handling the request was the USACE Reachback Operations Center (UROC) at ERDC.
The UROC, along with USACE headquarters and the Field Force Engineering (FFE) program, and in working with the 27th EN BN, pulled together the mission requirements that were quickly approved by USACE Deputy Commanding General for Military and International Operations Brig. Gen. Kirk Gibbs.
“When you see the USACE technology blended with our engineer Soldiers on the ground, it demonstrates the incredible impact that cohesive and proficient engineering teams can have when delivering solutions to problems wherever they are,” said Gibbs.
Through this implementation of FFE, the ERDC UAS team was on-site and collecting imagery within 48 hours of mission approval.
“The areas we are working are more rural,” Laird said. “There may be imagery of the impassable areas from helicopters flying over, or from a satellite, but maybe some of the resolution is not good enough and it didn’t capture some of these smaller communities that are being blocked.
“Our capabilities allow us to hone in and help get to areas where an immediate bird’s-eye view is needed.”
ERDC’s research, testing and experience with the latest in UAS technology allowed the team to rapidly deploy the right personnel and equipment to meet the mission. The team is using two UAS platforms, a small quadcopter for imagery and a fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for more detailed mapping and surveying.
“The dedication and expertise of our pilots are exceptional in their commitment to supporting emergency management missions,” Maj. Mark Wetsel, ERDC UAS pilot, said. “Their ability to provide real-time data, high-resolution imagery, and critical situational awareness makes them an invaluable asset to emergency management and USACE operations.”
Laird said the team can provide detailed orthomosaic maps and high-resolution 4K video and imagery of impeded roads and damaged terrain to the larger USACE team within 24 hours of collecting the data. These products include digital elevation models to illuminate impassable roads and damaged bridges and to reveal the location of various impediments, such as trees, mudslides and other debris.
“This type of capability is something we have grown into,” Laird said. “We have the experience of having responded to numerous Blue Roof missions and hurricane efforts. We’ve earned the respect because of our ability to respond quickly and provide the right information to the decision makers.”
Working in hard-hit Watauga, Avery and Buncombe counties, the team’s mapping and surveying efforts will not only help responders better reach people in need of assistance, but will also help support recovery efforts, such as clearing bus routes so schools can reopen.
ERDC, USACE and the Engineer Regiment will continue working in partnership with the local, state, and federal response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. While these Army Engineers bring rapid and robust capabilities to emergency responses, they are just one piece of a larger federal, Army and DOD team working to support the affected communities.

FALLS CHURCH, Va.- By day, Ken LeBlanc is an executive in the corporate medical world, but on weekends and when the orders call, he is a civil affairs officer in the Army Reserve. His personal life drastically changed about a year ago. “On my last deployment, I went to Poland, and I suffered a stroke. They gave me a stint in my carotid artery at a University Hospital in Poznan, Poland. After seven days, I went to Landstuhl and from there to Walter Reed. Then, I ultimately ended up at the Soldier Recovery Unit in San Antonio,” said LeBlanc, who has deployed six times in his 19-year career in the Army.

LeBlanc reflects on how it all started. “I don’t smoke or drink, and I maintain excellent health. There is no history of stroke in my family either. I just had a headache that day last November. I didn’t think anything of it, so I went on to a meeting, and people saw my face drooping, which made me see the medic and the medic diagnosed me on the spot.”

They got him to the local hospital, but Le Blanc was still in disbelief. “I didn’t believe the medic until I got to the hospital when the doctor in Poland came out and said Major LeBlanc, I think you are having a stroke. I said you think? He said no, no, I’m quite certain you are having a stroke.”

LeBlanc was unsure what to think of going to an SRU at the beginning of this recovery journey. “As a reservist, I had a choice. I don’t have to be here, but I am glad I came to the SRU. I could’ve said,” I’m going home; I’m returning to work. I thought I would go home and take care of it with my own insurance. I am so thankful I decided to stay. I fought everything they offered me when I first got here. I didn’t think this place was for me, then I saw what they were about. They created a care plan for me from head to toe. They wanted to make sure that everything was perfect.”

From physical and occupational therapy to adaptive reconditioning programs, Major LeBlanc now advocates for every Soldier to say yes to an SRU. “Embrace every single program or opportunity you are given. You will never have a chance to rehabilitate like you can when you are here. Take the opportunity to get yourself in better shape. The entire OT /PT building crew will find something for you to do. Take advantage!”

LeBlanc was introduced to a whole new world of activity and got involved to aid in his recovery. Ironically, he has a favorite. “I do like personal development and mindfulness. I thought they’d be corny. Mindfulness is something new to me. It’s about how to relax and de-stress yourself. They’ve given me a great tool!”

LeBlanc is recovering nicely but says he has a bit of a cognitive derailment in speech and short-term memory and is working on it. He is facing a medical board but with a positive attitude. “ It’s a process you go through, and I’m fairly confident in the process. I’m hopeful I will make my 20 years.”

This Reservist shares one final thought about the encouragement he received. He notes that it started with his first sergeant, who he is happy he listened to. “He said I don’t want you camping in your barracks. Every day, get out with like-minded people and go to events, or you will fall into a depression. So, I did. Man, it is so amazing. Jessica, Lindsay, Lorraine, Toby, and the whole crew at the SRU, there is nothing they wouldn’t do for you.”

This week, the Association of the United States Army hosted a U.S. Army Women’s Leadership Forum at the 2024 Annual Meeting and Exposition. The forum discussed issues impacting women serving today and veterans, with focus on healthcare, family planning, and equality.

Panelist members included: Lt. Gen. Mary Krueger Izaguirre, Surgeon General and Commanding General, United States Army Medical Command, Brig. Gen. Deydre Teyhen, Director of the Defense Health Network National Capital Region and Chief of the United States Army Medical Specialist Corps, Ms. Lourdes Tiglao, Director for the Center for Women Veterans, Col. Clydea Prichard-Brown, Chief of Staff for 1st Theater Sustainment Command and Founder of the Female Mentoring and Morale Program, and Sgt.1st Class Elizabeth Marks of the Army World Class Athlete Program.

Lt. Gen. Izaguirre emphasized the focus Army leadership has recently placed on reproductive support and implementation of the Holistic Health and Fitness Program. Major successes over in the past few years include increasing access to contraceptives and policy changes to lengthen both paternity and maternity leave and the physical recovery period for women. “One of the things we do incredibly well is coming together and discussing and learning from one another… it means we can have shared experiences and that allows us to build upon them,” she stated.

Women may experience the full spectrum of fertility throughout their careers. The lack of access to menopause and perimenopause services for Soldiers and veterans, particularly for those serving in the Army Reserve and National Guard, was addressed. Brig. Gen. Teyhen stated, “Our job is to make it easier for you to access your care and actually make sure that we as a healthcare system meet you where you need us.” The work continues in adapting policy and identifying needs from the force, and emphasis was placed on continuous feedback.

Family planning presents a unique set of challenges for women that want to lead successful careers. Lt. Gen. Izaguirre stated, “The fact is, there is a window between the time you serve in the military and time you want to start a family.” Biologically, women’s fertility is at its highest from their late teens to late 20’s. This age range presents a crucial time in career development when many women are serving at the tactical level, where pregnancy is sometimes treated as a hinderance.

Col. Pritchett-Brown spoke on this ostracism, “The discussion has started. We are trying to determine why the infantry model still has to be the path to success. What other paths are there that say you are still contributing to the great parts of the military that we need out there… Because we have a culture that we are still trying to change, we are continuing to try to change that thought process and look at tracks women are taking.”

All panelists shared individual experiences combating biases unique to women and affirming their dedication to continue working to change the culture and achieve acceptance and equality for women at all stages as Soldiers for Life.

Mr. Pak was nominated for the 403rd Army Field Support Brigade Personality Spotlight for his hard work and dedication, and for his outstanding achievements, which have significantly contributed to the overall improvement of the LRC-Daegu’s mission readiness.

Hometown:

Daegu, South Korea

How long have you been working for the U.S. Army?

I have been working for 29 Years for the U.S. Army.

What other positions have you held with the U.S. military?

S-4, 36th Signal Battalion as a logistics management specialist for eight years; property book officer, 36th Sig. Bn., as a supply technician for three years; 169th Signal Company for nine years; and Supply Point # 60 for three years.

How long have you been in your current position?

Six years.

Tell us about your job and what you do.

I serve as a logistics management specialist and the Korean national employee leader in the Plans & Operations Division, LRC-Daegu. I am responsible for planning, coordinating and accomplishing a variety of tasks concerned with methods, systems, subject-matter procedures and controls throughout the command and providing staff logistics assistance to all key personnel internal and external to the LRC-D. I coordinate and manage Plans and Operations to include all functions such as operations orders, taskers, training, exercise support and the Logistics Support Area. I integrate mission requirements into comprehensive logistics support plans or operational support programs.

What other duties are you responsible for?

I also serve as the senior Korean National employee for all of the Plans & Operations Division Korean staff as well as Korean Service Corp employees.

What are some of your accomplishments while at LRC-Daegu?

One of the most significant accomplishments for the LRC-D was the Brigade Senior Leader Seminar that was hosted by LRC-Daegu. I played a most important role for this endeavor in conceptualizing, supporting, preparing, programming, and the final execution of the event, which was not only highly successful, but also commented by the brigade commander as setting the standard for future Brigade Senior Leader Seminars.

I have planned, prepared, and executed Several LRC-Daegu town halls, organization day events and holiday parties, which involved securing of the venues and meal preparation for more than 150 employees. I have also coordinated a variety of sporting events.

Additionally, I have contributed in designing, managing and uploading all critical records in the newly established Brigade SharePoint, which includes separate sites for each LRC. I created SharePoint web page with background photos, maps, organization structure, capabilities, linked director’s biography, and other graphical elements. I have designed and uploaded each division’s information & operations slides as well.

What is the best thing about working at LRC-Daegu?

I love working at the LRC-Daegu because it gives me the unique opportunity to independently perform all mission planning and operate at the lowest level to provide direct coordination for scheduling, and briefing management support among the LRC-Daegu director, staff and 403rd AFSB brigade staff on a daily basis.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Traveling is my hobby, and free diving in the sea are the happiest moments for me. I went to Jeju Island twice this year and enjoyed marine sports.

Do you have a special skill or talent you would like to share?

I have a Professional Association of Diving Instructors Advanced Diver Certificate and love to assist an instructor who leads beginning teams.

Want to learn how to dive? Contact Mr. Pak, or go to: padi.com

WAHIAWA, Hawai’i – In a continued effort to strengthen community safety and enhance collaboration, U.S. Army Garrison Hawai’i military police and local law enforcement officers conducted a joint terrain walk on last Friday at the Lightning Academy, located in Wahiawa Heights. The walk, which included Honolulu Police Department (HPD) Officer Napoli, and Army Emergency Services representatives Chief Mark Richards, chief of police, Mr. Stephen Hurling, physical security officer, and Mr. Jim Tyler, deputy director of emergency services, took place at 1 p.m. and focused on illegal trespassing onto government property and assessing key areas for future joint operations.

The team reviewed both the academy area and other newly improved motorcross trails approximately a quarter mile south of the academy. Following their assessment, the group agreed that with available military vehicles, including 4-wheel drive SUVs and HPD all-terrain vehicles, they could successfully conduct joint patrols throughout the East Range area bordering Wahiawa. These patrols will enhance the security of military installations and the surrounding community, fostering cooperation between military personnel and local law enforcement.

After the terrain walk, the team visited Wahiawa Middle School on Rose Street, where they identified a potential security vulnerability. A section of the fence line adjacent to the school had been illegally cut as evidenced by worn ground and specific tracks in the area. Officer Napoli shared city plans to install a gate to prevent unauthorized access to the school grounds, further improving the safety of local students.

In response to the findings, U.S. Army Physical Security personnel will conduct a full survey of the borders adjacent to the school area for additional openings in the fence and coordinate repairs. The Army team will also reach out to their Department of Public Works to replace the unserviceable gate at the Lightning Academy.

Chief Richards and Officer Napoli are working to coordinate joint patrolling activities as soon as possible with HPD’s all-terrain vehicles. These patrols will be looking for illegal off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles illegally trespassing on government property. The joint efforts will be supported with a truck and trailer for confiscated bikes, ATVs or E-Bikes. Both teams agreed that enforcement and monitoring are the keys to success, along with community assistance.

“Many of the recreational riders who are trespassing are local community members here in Wahiawa, and we are asking for the community’s assistance in preventing dirt bikers from both cutting our fences and recreating on Army property,” said Jim Tyler, Deputy Director of Emergency Services.

This initiative underscores the Army’s ongoing commitment to community safety and its strong relationship with local law enforcement, ensuring the land management includes a secure environment for both military personnel and civilians.

FORT NOVOSEL, Ala. – A new class of U.S. Army flight school students who donned their green hats for the first time had the opportunity to hear from fellow green-hatter, Maj. Gen. Clair A. Gill, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Novosel commander, during a Class Colors Ceremony Oct. 7, 2024.

In the past year, it has become the norm once again to see the colored hats around campus. The renewed flight school tradition actually dates back to the 1960s, but was paused for a time and reinstituted last year as part of a renewed focus on Army aviation branch history and legacy.

The time-honored tradition intends to help foster a culture focused on increased cohesion, technical and tactical rigor and personal accountability, while also reinforcing Army aviation’s long-standing commitment to the sacred trust with Soldiers on the ground in harm’s way.

“Good afternoon, green hat class,” he said. “Congrats on making it here. This is a huge step in the progression of your career. This is one of those things that should stick with you.”

The traditional hatting ceremony dates back to Army aviation’s first major period of transformation when the Army was generating UH-1 aviators en masse to support the Vietnam conflict. Leaders needed a symbol to easily identify the different levels of technical proficiency across separate classes in multiple phases of flight school. The answer was colored hats.

Gill explained that the colored hats tradition dissolved during the Global War on Terror, and over the years other customs also changed, including the older-style flight suits that went away.

“As a branch we wanted to identify with the rest of the Army, we didn’t want to be treated different, we just wanted to be thought of as combined arms warfighters. Not special, not privileged, not less, not more. We wanted to be the same, so we got rid of the flight suit,” Gill said.

Gill explained Army Aviation became a separate branch in 1983.

“We used to be artillerymen and infantrymen,” Gill said. “Operation ’83 is really us getting back to who we are in connecting with our culture and our history.”

Gill called for seamlessness between the ground Soldier and the aviation professional.

“I really want you to think about having that warfighting mentality,” Gill said.

“Inside of two weeks you’re going to break friction with the ground, and that’s going to be an incredible feeling,” Gill said. ‘I’m proud to share this color hat with you.”

After Gill gave his remarks, the students rose to their feet and as a group put on their green hats on for the first time, followed by applause.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Thomas K. Henderson, 110th Aviation Brigade UH-60M Black Hawk standardization instructor pilot, explained the origin of class colors and the rules for wearing the hats, in accordance with DA PAM 670-1 as described for the OCP patrol cap, paragraph 4-10.

After completing their first solo flight, the students are to wear the colored hats with solo wings. The student pilot rank and solo wings are the only approved devices that may be added to the hat.

The hats are worn with the Army Aircrew Combat Uniform and the Army Combat Uniform at Fort Novosel and its adjoining properties and while transiting to and from individual residences.

Col. Dennis K. (“Keith”) Hill, 110th Aviation Brigade commander, shared some information to help them succeed during flight school.

“Flight school is your priority for the next 14 to 18 months,” Hill said, as he explained some family/life event exceptions.

He said flight school is about mastering the fundamentals.

“What you’re going to do here is just the beginning,” Hill said. “Army aviation is when you go out to your unit and you find yourself halfway across the world at 2 a.m. freezing because it’s five below zero and you’ve got a Chinook full of Rakkasans from the 101st (Airborne Division), and you’re about to take them to some bad guy’s front doorstep – that’s when you’re going to know you’re in Army aviation.”

He asked them to recall learning to drive an automobile when they were in high school.

“What you’re doing here is Driver’s Ed. You have to master the fundamental basics while you’re here,” he said.

He explained the criteria the students will be evaluated on, including flight performance and academics, motivation and military bearing. He spoke about the honor code, the importance of making good decisions, and he also shared tips on how to study.

Though all the cadre at USAACE genuinely want to see the students succeed, Hill added, “you have to earn it here.”