The first edition of the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade's deployment newsletter.

1. the
F
Volume 1, Issue 1
alcon
lyer
“Be proud of the legacy we inherit
“Marne Air!” November 1, 2012
and continue to embody.”
A message to the Marne Air Family ed combat the tough missions we will face
from Commander Col. Allan M. Pepin training cen- and do it to standard.
Marne Air Soldiers and est confidence that ter rotations, Marne Air Soldiers, you
Families, it remains an honor Marne Air Soldiers high-altitude should be proud of the great
for my wife Heather and I to will serve with disci- mountainous legacy we inherit and will con-
serve for, with and along side pline, high standards environmental tinue to embody. Our mission
you. We’re inspired by your and distinction as we training, air- in Afghanistan will be success-
selfless service to one another, accomplish our mis- ground integra- ful because of the training,
the 3rd Combat Aviation Bri- sion. We will over- Col. Allan M. Pepin, commander,tion with fellow teamwork and sacrifices of our
gade, the Marne Division, our come any challenges 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade Marne brigades Soldiers, as well as the support
Army and our Nation. we face, as all Dogface Soldiers and other conventional and and sacrifices of our Families.
Once again, the United States have done since 1917. special operations forces, avi- I encourage you to participate
of America has called upon the We are deploying to face com- ation and ground mission-es- in Family Readiness Group ac-
3rd Combat Aviation Brigade bat. Fighting in Afghanistan, sential tasks, sustainment tivities and help strengthen
to deploy to Afghanistan. It is like fighting anywhere, comes training, resiliency and more. the bonds between you and
a mission we have prepared for with an inherent risk requiring This has set the conditions for your fellow Soldiers and Family
since the brigade redeployed in unit, Soldier and Family read- the deployment. Our readiness Members. Your support net-
November 2010. iness and resiliency. This in- is essential to our mission suc- work is the key to your success.
I believe we have the best com- cludes physical, mental, spiri- cess. In no way was this easy, Include yourselves in the net-
bat aviation brigade Soldiers in tual, social and family strength. but if it was easy, then anyone work of our local community.
the Army, and I have the great- Our training has includ- could do it. Few can execute See CMDR, Pg. 2
A Message from the Chief Warrant Officer of the Brigade
Chief Warrant Officer Randy Godfrey and train our systems and op- to prepare us mentally, physi-
Marne Air and Rock of the arms. 3rd Combat Aviation Bri- erations. We enable aviation cally, and emotionally for this
Marne! It is a privilege to an-
gade continues to be the most support through reconnais- challenging mission, enemy,
swer the nation’s call for ser-
deployed CAB. This is a testa- sance, security, air assault, re- and location.
vice in Afghanistan with my ment to our soldiers’ dedica- supply, maintenance, tracking, Our warrant officers contin-
fellow brothers and sisters in
tion to service and proven mis- and command. Our priority is ued professional development
INSIDE sion accomplishment.
Warrant Officers
always no-fail support of our
ground forces.
through training to become
instructor pilots, maintenance
are self aware and Upon our return from the test pilots, safety officers, tacti-
CMDR’s Message Cont’d. . 2 adaptive technical previous deployment, train- cal operations officers, aviation
CWOB Cont’d . . . . . . . . . . . 2 experts, combat lead- ing and preparation immedi- life support officers, electronic
ers, trainers and advi- ately began for the next call warfare officers, and armament
New CSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 sors. Warrant Officers to action. During training, we officers. We also found time in
603rd CLFX . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 command our aircraft replicated the missions and en- the schedule to attend profes-
and missions. They vironments for our area of op- sional military education. The
FRSA Message . . . . . . . . . . . 4 supervise, manage, erations. We honed our skills See CWOB, Pg. 2

2. The Falcon Flyer November 1, 2012
CWOB, cont’d from Pg. 1
CAB even facilitated the Aviation Know that our soldiers are trained
Warrant Officer Advanced Course and ready to support our Afghani-
at Hunter allowing our warrants stan partners. Afghanistan will be
officers to spend time with families a safer country, which ensures our
instead of away. These skills will nation’s safety. It will be one less
ensure mission planning, execu- place for our enemies to hide and
tion, and successful completion of to plan attacks on all of us. •
combat operations.
CMDR, cont’d from Pg. 1
There’s no better community in We are committed to helping the
which to serve. Afghan Security Forces build an in-
In August 2011, the Secretary of dependent and self-sustaining se-
the Army announced the reduc- curity. We are committed to giving
tion of the deployment rotation to the Afghan people a better hope
nine months. One of the significant for their future.
changes to the policy was the elim- We are blessed to have Lt. Col.
ination of environmental and mor- Cory Sena and his wife Lynette
al leave, more commonly referred as the brigade rear-detachment
to as ‘R&R.’ I realize your Soldier command team. He is a prov-
may miss certain events important en leader and a former battalion
to your family, but it is the selfless commander within this brigade.
service of Soldiers and Families I couldn’t have asked for a better
that elevates us. pair to support our Soldiers and
Our ability to operate in complex Families during this deployment.
and changing environments, as Thank you again for your service.
well as change the conditions we My wife Heather and I wish you the
will face, is founded on the fact very best as you plan and prepare
that we have the best Soldiers, for the challenges of an upcoming
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Luke Rollins
Families and Leaders this coun- deployment. But the sacrifices and
Col. Allan M. Pepin, commander of the 3rd Combat Aviation
Brigade, Third Infantry Division, leads a formation of Marne try has to offer. The key to this accomplishments of Soldiers and
Air Soldiers Mar. 17 during the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Pa- strength is remaining mindful that their Families are what makes this
rade in Savannah, Ga. The Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade is we are a serving a cause greater nation strong.•
America’s largest and is second largest in the world after the than ourselves.
parade in Dublin, Ireland.
The Falcon Flyer
The Falcon Flyer is an authorized publication for members of the U.S.
Army. Contents of The Falcon Flyer are not necessarily official views
of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, Department of the Army or Task Force Falcon
the 3rd Infantry Division. Everything advertised in this publication Commander - Col. Allan M. Pepin
shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard Command Sergeant Major - Command Sgt. Maj. James Snyder
to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical Chief Warrant Officer of the Brigade - Chief Warrant Officer 5
handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the Randy Godfrey
purchaser, user, or patron. All editorial content of The Falcon Flyer
is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Task Force Falcon
Public Affairs Office. Task Force Falcon Public Affairs
TF Falcon PAO - Capt. Chad Ashe
Do you have a story to share? The Falcon Flyer welcomes submissions TF Falcon PA NCOIC, Falcon Flyer Editor - Sgt. Luke Rollins
from readers. Send to the Task Force Falcon PAO at pao3cab@hotmail.
com. The Falcon Flyer reserves the right to edit all submissions. For
further information on deadlines, questions or comments, email Task
Force Falcon Public Affairs.
2

3. The Falcon Flyer November 1, 2012
3rd CAB Welcomes New CSM
by Sgt. Luke Rollins, 3rd CAB Public Affairs
HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. humbled to be associated with
– The 3rd Combat Aviation Bri- you and call you my brothers
gade, Third Infantry Division, bid and sisters,” said Blair. “You are
farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. the best combat aviation brigade.
Patrick Blair during a change of Thanks for everything you do in
responsibility ceremony Sept. 12 the service of this nation.”
at the flight line, and welcomed Colonel Pepin also praised in-
Command Sgt. Maj. James Snyder coming Command Sgt. Maj. Sny-
as the new brigade command ser- der, saying the task force was
geant major. fortunate to have an incoming
Command Sgt. Maj. Blair is slat- brigade command sergeant ma-
ed to assume responsibility of the jor of such high standards.
1st Aviation Brigade, U.S. Army “He’s a battle tested leader,”
Aviation Center of Excellence at said Col. Pepin. “I know you will
Fort Rucker, Ala. lead from up front, and I have the
Colonel Allan Pepin, command- greatest confidence that he will
er of the 3rd CAB, said Command carry on the great legacy of the
Sgt. Maj. Blair exemplified the command sergeants major who
Army Values during his tenure. have led before him.”
“Command Sgt. Maj. Blair was Command Sgt. Maj. Snyder said
the best noncommissioned offi- he looked forward to the oppor-
cer battle buddy I’ve ever served tunities and challenges that lay
with, and I’ve served with some ahead.
great ones,” said Col. Pepin. “Un- “I will always keep the welfare
compromising in integrity, moral of our Soldiers and accomplish-
courage and standards, you were ment of the mission in the upper-
a great NCO, role model and lead- most of my mind,” said Snyder. •
er, but I’m proud to have also
called you a friend.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Blair
U.S Army photo by Sgt. Luke Rollins thanked his family and all the
Command Sgt. Maj. James Snyder, incoming brigade command Soldiers of the 3rd CAB for mak-
sergeant major of the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, Third Infan-
try Division, sings “The Dogface Soldier” Song during the bri- ing his time in Savannah special.
gade change of responsibility ceremony Sept. 12 at the Hunter “It has been my pleasure to
Army Airfield, Ga., flight line. work with you and I am forever
603rd ASB Qualifies At CLFX
by Sgt. Luke Rollins, 3rd CAB Public Affairs
FORT STEWART, Ga. — Sol- ing grounds, with their acres of
diers from Headquarters Sup- tall pines and forest growth, dif-
port Company, 603rd Aviation fer in terrain from the mountains
Support Battalion, 3rd Combat and arid flatlands of Afghanistan,
Aviation Brigade, participated in where the 603rd ASB is scheduled
the culminating event of their to deploy later this year, the ob-
seven-month training cycle Sept stacles the HSC Soldiers faced
13, qualifying in a convoy life fire prepared them directly for the
exercise at Fort Stewart, Ga. challenges of convoy operations.
“We threw a lot of the stuff Seven vehicles traversed the
we’ve been practicing over the training line for more than two
past seven months into today’s hours, encountering small arms
exercise, and I think our Sol- fire and improvised explosive
dier’s performed spectacularly,” devices. The convoy took sever-
said 1st Lt. Scott Moe, the com- al simulated casualties, requir- U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Luke Rollins
pany executive officer and offi- ing the Soldiers to respond with Spc. Robert Allen III, a radio communications security repairmen
cer-in-charge of the qualification. medical evacuation and first re- with Headquarters Support Company, 603rd Aviation Support
Although the Fort Stewart train- See CLFX, Pg. 4 Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, engages targets during a
convoy live fire training exercise Sept. 13 at Fort Stewart, Ga.
3

4. The Falcon Flyer November 1, 2012
CLFX, cont’d from Pg. 3
sponse training.
Specialist Robert Allen III, a ra-
dio communications security re-
A message from the
pairmen with HSC, 60rd ASB, said
the day’s events gave him full
confidence in his company’s de-
ployment readiness.
“We’re basically a huge family,”
said Allen. “I would trust any of
them with my life. Today’s train-
ing was great, and I was glad to be
with everybody here.”
After the convoy made it back,
1st Lt. Moe reviewed the group’s
performance, praising their suc-
cesses and isolating areas of im-
provement. He said that after two
months coordinating this qualifi-
cation event, he was pleased with
their performance.
“I couldn’t have been happier
Family Support Readiness Assistant
with how the Soldiers performed
out there today,” said Moe. “It Family Members:
was exactly what the platoon We know your Soldier has been working long and hard as they prepare for this upcoming deploy-
sergeant and I were looking for. ment. It is because of your Support that your soldier is able to perform their mission in an exceptional
We had the company commander manner.
and first sergeant out there, and The morale of Marne Air Soldiers and Family Members is of the highest importance to the brigade
they were impressed, so all in all
I’d say it was a great culminating command team, our spouses, and the entire chain of command. Our Soldiers and their Family Mem-
exercise.” • bers are our brigade’s greatest resource. By maximizing preparedness and resiliency at home, we cre-
ate the capacity for success on the battlefield.
This command and installation is here to fully support you with all of our resources. We want to
ensure the Marne Air community is integrated into a network of support, with programs and services
both within and outside of the Department of Defense. Family Readiness Groups, Army Communi-
ty Service, Military Family Life Consultants and many other organizations are available to help you
throughout your Soldier’s deployment. Strong and resilient families translate to stronger and more
resilient Soldiers on the battlefield.
With social media as one of your most successful methods to communicate with your deployed Sol-
dier, it can be a double-edged sword used against operational security. Please do not use social media
to discuss or share sensitive information. Protect your Soldier by not releasing information on current
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Luke Rollins or future operations.
Workhorse Soldiers prepare for Again, thank you for your personal support, sacrifice and commitment to your Solider and our na-
the convoy live fire exercise,
Sept. 13 at Fort Stewart, Ga.
tion. The strength of our Soldiers is our Families.•
Marne Air Social Media
To read more stories
and see the photos
that go with them, as
well as some videos,
check out the links be-
low. Read and share
what you see and pass
along the Soldiers’
stories.
www.facebook.com/3rdCAB
www.twitter.com/3rdCAB
www.flickr.com/3rdCAB