Chris LeCron - Army Strong Stories

U.S. Army Reserve, National Guard Truly Serves World-Wide

Chris LeCron — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:38:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Sometimes you will hear people use the term "Big Army". What I think they mean is that the Army really has so many missions in so many geographic locations. This fact really settled in with me this week while working in the Pentagon, Headquarters, Department of the Army. We received requests for Army Reservists and National Guardsmen to serve missions in such locations as Baku, Azerbaijan; Amman, Jordan; Botswana; Haiti; and Beirut, Lebanon. These...read more

Afghanistan Martial Arts

Chris LeCron — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:44:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Ouch! This looks painful! It is great to see the Afghan youth get in to some positive activities such as martial arts though!! Photo By Staff Sgt. Jordan Jones, International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs An Afghan youth lays on a bed of nails as a four-inch thick piece of granite laying on his stomach is broken with a sledge hammer Tuesday as part of a martial arts demonstration in Kazni, Afghanistan. The youths put on the martial arts...read more

Afghanistan, Pakistan Border Photo of the Day (Task Force Red Bulls)

Chris LeCron — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:21:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Photo of the Day U.S. Army Spc. John Meyer, left, from Iowa City, Iowa, and Spc. Chris Linssen, center, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, both infantrymen with Company B, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Task Force Red Bulls, watch the pedestrian walkway with an Afghan Border Police dog handler, right, at Torkham Gate on the Afghanistan border March 7, 2011. Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Matson....read more

Army Social Media Guide

Chris LeCron — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:24:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
As a blogger for Army Strong Stories, I thought it would be worthwhile to link this Army Times Article Handbook to guide GIs on social media usage (highlights) ‘Adversaries are trolling,’ looking for useful info, the Sergeant Major of the Army says The handbook, which comes nearly a year after the Pentagon authorized the military’s use of social media, encourages commanders to communicate with soldiers about safeguarding operational security online....read more

Army holds off SMU comeback, wins first bowl in 25 years

Chris LeCron — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:10:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Army defeats SMU in Armed Forces Bowl!! (30 DEC 2010) Story Link Military Times blog "The win gave Army it’s seventh win of the year and captured Army’s first winning record since 1996. Coach Rich Ellerson, in just his second year, has turned what was a struggling program around using the same option blueprint Air Force and Navy have used to field a successful team. Army capitalized on SMU’s three first half turnovers to stake a 16-0...read more

Army Navy Game 11 DEC 2010, One of the Best Rivalries in Sports!!

Chris LeCron — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 22:34:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Big Game is this Saturday! Army has a legit chance this year - let's do it!!! The Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen always put on a terrific show. ARMY-NAVY…always a good game. On Saturday, Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field will host this annual classic (2:30 p.m., CBS). Although Navy has dominated recently, Army Football has had a great season and will be ready for this test. Both teams are headed to...read more

Wounded Warrior Project Designs Camoflauge Uniforms for Maryland Football

Chris LeCron — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 23:06:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I went to the Maryland - Florida State football game this past Saturday night. Unfortunately, Maryland lost a very close game that went down to the wire. For the second year in a row, Under Armour in conjunction with the Wounded Warrior Project designed uniforms for the Maryland team with camoflouage spots and words such as honor, duty, and country. The Wounded Warrior Project has tons of great things to be involved in if you are looking to support a great charity...read more

Salvatore Giunta - Medal of Honor winner, Pentagon ceremony

Chris LeCron — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 19:54:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
One of the cool things about being here at the Pentagon is seeing some very high visibility first hand events and officials. A couple days ago, I went to the Pentagon gym and noticed boatloads of people in the hallway in dress uniforms. They were waiting for the Medal of Honor Ceremony for Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta. Awesome event and I was honored just to walk by and catch a glimpse of the proceedings. Giunta is the first living person since the...read more

Army beats Kent, 45-28, is now bowl-eligible

Chris LeCron — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 07:23:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Via Army Times KENT, Ohio — Trent Steelman guided Army’s run-oriented offense to perfection and helped the Black Knights become bowl eligible for the first time in 14 years. Steelman and Brian Cobbs each had two of Army’s six rushing touchdowns in a 45-28 win at Kent State on Saturday. The Black Knights (6-4) continued their best season since going 10-2 in 1996 — they were 35-115 over the next 13 years. “It’s an awesome...read more

Veterans Day Discounts for Veterans

Chris LeCron — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:57:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
From Military.com Veterans Day Discounts Find great Veterans Day discounts for military servicemembers. Eat Free at Applebee's Military veterans and active-duty servicemembers will be able to eat for free at any Applebee's across the U.S. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2010. There will be six entres from the menu to choose from. Guests will be asked to show one or more of the following as proof of service: a U.S. Uniform Services Identification...read more

American female troops engage Afghan women

Chris LeCron — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 19:43:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Some great work being done by our female service-members. In the Afghsan culture, it is only accepted that women would work with women. Story from CENTCOM Blog Across Afghanistan, “Female Engagement Teams” of U.S. military women are working to strengthen relationships with rural Afghan women. It’s something that their male counterparts aren’t able to do given the cultural roles of women in the country. “Very rarely are [women] allowed to go...read more

Pentagon Soccer

Chris LeCron — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:01:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I finally got out to play with the Pentagon Soccer club at lunch last week. Great bunch of guys with some talented players as well. We have a nice turf-like field one Metro stop down from the Pentagon. We play at lunch and also play matches against local military teams, foreign and U.S. Will try and get some phots and/or videos up from this week's pick-up game....read more

Holiday Mailing Deadlines for Soldiers Overseas

Chris LeCron — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:11:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Don't forget the deadline for sending troops cards and care packages for the holidays is quickly coming up. "Hanukkah, for example, begins Dec. 1 this year, so he said gifts should be in the mail by Oct. 19. Christmas mailing deadlines include: Packages going to Iraq, Afghanistan and other places around the world through the U.S. Postal Service should be mailed by Nov. 12." Link Photo credit Staff Sgt. Liesl...read more

Settling in at the Pentagon

Chris LeCron — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 01:44:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
The Pentagon Memorial was dedicated Sept. 11, 2008. The memorial contains 184 benches of stainless steel and granite, each representing one of the victims of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. Photo Credit: C. Todd Lopez, Army News Service I am getting settled in at my new assignment here at the Pentagon. The building and workplace is truly fascinating. The Pentagon is like a small, city itself, multiple restaurants and even a gym within the...read more

One Soccer Ball at a Time

Chris LeCron — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:16:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Love this story!! Pfc. Dominick Skompski (bottom left), an armor crewman with Company D, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division - Center, poses with Iraqi children Sept. 13 after distributing soccer balls to them in Baghdad. The soccer balls were donated by Americans through the Winning Hearts and Minds Project, created by Skompski's father, Joe D'Alessandro, president of the Cohansey Soccer...read more

First Afghan Female Army Officers: HOOAAAHH!!!

Chris LeCron — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:13:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Afghan National Army Female Officers KABUL, Afghanistan -- Women from the first graduating class of the Afghan National Army Female Officer Candidate School stand for the playing of the national anthem during their graduation ceremony, Sept. 23, 2010. Twenty-nine Afghan women completed 20 weeks of training, which included 8 weeks of basic training and 12 weeks of advanced training in logistics and finance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Laura R. McFarlane/Released)...read more

What I'm Reading: Restrepo or War by Sebastian Junger

Chris LeCron — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:16:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Very, very detailed book by Sebastian Junger as he embeds with a platoon in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan. An extremely dangerous area with small, remote outposts and heavy casualties. I got the chance to fly over the area and travel in Jalalabad. The Korengal has a very, beautiful geography to it. In the book, Junger describes how the soldiers encounter all types of animals to include wolves, monkeys, and mountain lions. There is even a bird that...read more

Want to Send Packages / Letters to Soldiers Overseas? Here is how-

Chris LeCron — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 19:46:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I know a lot of Americans are eager to support their soldiers serving in combat zones overseas. However, many do not know how, where, or what to send. One of the best ways to find out how to send packages, what to send, and where to send it, is through AnySoldier at anysoldier.com. The organization is run 100% by volunteers and links up soldiers with those willing to support them with care packages and letters. If you register on the site, you can read about...read more

Special Forces, Little Known Major Success in Afghanistan and Iraq

Chris LeCron — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 06:41:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
General Petraeus recently spoke to the media about the outstanding efforts and success of our Special Forces soldiers in Afghanistan here. Here is a story that demonstrates what many SF soldiers are all about. Blown up, teeth knocked out?? Just get up and keep on keepin on' RELEASE NUMBER: 100831-03 DATE POSTED: AUGUST 31, 2010 USSF: persistent and committed By Tech. Sgt. Gloria Wilson CAMP MOREHEAD, Afghanistan (Courtesy...read more

Support Wounded Warrior Project with your eBay Purchase

Chris LeCron — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:09:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Wounded Warriors Project (WWP) is a great organization that raises awareness and enlists the public's aide in support of wounded warriors. The website is www.woundedwarriorproject.org Support WWP August 30 – September 5 with eBay’s Give at Checkout If you’re purchasing an item on eBay between August 30 and September 5, don’t miss out on an easy opportunity to support WWP. During this seven day...read more

Best Deployment Photos, CENTCOM Set #3

Chris LeCron — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:38:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Round # 3, trying to mix up locations. The Military Sealift Command container ship, "MV American Tern" docked at the seaport of Ash Shuaiba in Kuwait. The US Army Vessel "Champagne Marne" named after the "Rock of the Marne" 3rd Infantry Division, April 2010, Kuwait Naval Base. Dismounting MRAP vehicles in preparation for a site survey/patrol of the Afghan/Pakistan Torkham border crossing,...read more

Best Deployment Photos, CENTCOM Set #2

Chris LeCron — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:36:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
A view of the "in the works" railway in northern Afghanistan, spring 2010. The railway is scheduled to be complete by the end of this year and run from Hairiton (the Uzbek-Afghan border) all the way to Masar-e-Sharif(Camp Marmal) Getting ready to qualify on the 9mm pistol at Ft. Benning, GA Feb. 2010 prior to deploying. Photo op at the Afghanistan / Uzbekistan border,...read more

Best Deployment Photos, CENTCOM Set #1

Chris LeCron — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:30:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I have been planning to post my best deployment photos on here for a while. I think it will be easiest to post about 10 at a time and caption them. These are in no particular order and bounce around Central Command from Kuwait to Afghanistan to Iraq to Qatar, etc. Early morning pistol qualification at Ft. Benning. Georgia. Our unit represented at Camp Victory, Iraq (Baghdad) near the Logistics Headquarters....read more

Camp Marmal Update

Chris LeCron — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:10:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Hello All! I have seen lots of posts to my previous blog post on Camp Marmal. The base camp really is a neat place to be and I hope all the best for your family members and friends serving there. Please comment here if I can help answer any quiestions for you or get information for you. Below are some photos I took while there earlier this year to give you a feel for the camp....read more

Re-Deployment Family Re-Integration and Support

Chris LeCron — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 22:44:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Well, I am back from my deployment now for about one week. It has been so great to see my little boy, (21 months), wife, and rest of my family. Re-integration has been bery smooth and honestly it is getting to the point where I feel normal being back in the States. The first couple of days were awkward with seeing so much green and driving off army base camps without any security details, etc. I just wanted to state that family support during a deployment is...read more

Epic Re-Deployment Travel

Chris LeCron — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:07:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Made it back to the states yesterday!!! Only the Army would have us arrive 36 hours early for the plane ride back and then locked down in a fenced in area 13 hours prior to takeoff. but, there is a lot of administration to take care off and customs and other things to go through. Exhausted but glad to be back and looking forward to seeing family and friends soon! At Ft.. Benning this week outprocessing....read more

Gates Tightens Rules for Military and the Media

Chris LeCron — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 17:20:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
In a recent NYT story, the SecDef, Mr. Gates, made some new rules and clarifications in regards to the military dealing with the media. I picked out some of my favorite quotes and insights from the article and pasted below. To read the entire article just click here I think this is one of those cases where it is important for the reader to take their time and read the entire article and quotes. It probably is a good idea to read other articles about this same issue and read the...read more

Amazing Video of Combat Heroism from July 4th, 2009 Afghanistan, 25th Infantry Division

Chris LeCron — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:26:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
This is a great video compiled by the Pentagon Video channel that chronicles the heroics of a 25th Infantry Division unit fighting from a Combat Outpost in Afghanistan, July 4th, 2009 on the Pakistan border. Awards received include a Silver Star and Bronze Star with valor. Combat outposts are much more austere and spartan than Forward Operation Bases or FOB's. This video is one of the best representations of conditions on a combat outpost and actual video of a firefight that I have...read more

Coalition Partners Monitor Afghanistan Airflow

Chris LeCron — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:26:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I wanted to re-post a story that I published on DVIDS. The link is here Army Lt Col Dean Huard wrote the article and is our branch chief in charge of the U.S. National Airflow Authority. I work with him over here and the USNAA mission is to synchronize airflow into Afghanistan's airfields. Prior to its inception this year, management of the airfields was done on a more ad-hoc basis and slot times were not prioritized and organized in advance. The...read more

Officials testify to Congress on convoys in Afghanistan

Chris LeCron — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:21:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Great article in the Army News Wire on this topic! I caught some of the testimony on the Pentagon channel. The crux of the issue is how to stop Taliban and other elements from demanding money and bribing contracted convoys that carry supplies into Afghanistan. In addition, how do we protect those convoys? Currently, it is with private armed security contractors much of the time. Although there are many great contracting companies out there, we...read more

GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL! USA Beats Algeria, Advances in World Cup

Chris LeCron — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:46:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Wow, what an incredible game! Many thanks to AFN (Armed Forces Network TV) for broadcasting this game to all of us deployed all over the world. Everyone over here is into the USA games during this World Cup, even non-soccer fans - nobody is more patriotic than soldiers! Just pandemonium when they scored, really looking forward to Saturday's game. USA Today Photo. Team USA's Landon Donovan celebrates his late goal against Algeria with teammate...read more

Afghanistan Through Teenagers' Eyes

Chris LeCron — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:54:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Great piece at foreignpolicy.com Link Eggs for sale: Last year, a group of teenagers at Afghanistan's Marefat School were given cameras as part of a photography project with teens at Philadelphia's Constitution High School. The students snapped away, and what emerged from the Afghan side were images of culture, friends, and daily life -- not car bombings and kidnappings. Above, a smiling boy sells eggs at an outdoor market, as photographed by Qasim Moradi, 18. Ready to read:...read more

Humvee Replacement (JLTV) Ready in 2015 (Military Times)

Chris LeCron — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:14:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Neat looking vehicle! We definitely need a replacement for the humvee! JLTV prototypes roll out on Army testing sites Yahoo News By Matthew Cox - Staff writer Posted : Sunday Jun 13, 2010 10:26:33 EDT ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Both the Army and Marine Corps intend to begin fielding the JLTV in 2015 as a replacement for the venerable Humvee in combat operations. Link The four-seat Category A...read more

Who are the truck drivers in Afghanistan and Pakistan?

Chris LeCron — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 18:07:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
As a logistician, I have pondered this question a good deal. In the U.S., qualified truck drivers can make a nice living if they are willing to put in the miles. A recent article in Yahoo News attempts to discuss this question. The article intimates that drivers are fairly desparate, poor, and have few options. I wish that wasn't the case. Highlights from the article Fearful NATO supply truckers curse their jobs by Sajjad Tarakzai Sajjad Tarakzai – Fri Jun 11, 1:25 am ET TORKHAM,...read more

Kudos to Armed Forces Network TV - World Cup Full TV Schedule Acquired!!

Chris LeCron — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:40:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Awesome news!!!! The World Cup is on AFN! FIFA grants permission to carry 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Riverside, CA, June 10, 2010 -- Through the cooperation of a host of international television licensees, the American Forces Network Broadcast Center (AFN-BC) has been granted permission by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to distribute the full complement of matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. The U.S. Armed Forces stationed outside the...read more

Railway in northern Afghanistan

Chris LeCron — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:01:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Hope this is not a double post as I submitted this before and it was eaten somehow. Cool photo of the Hairiton - Mazar-e-Sharif railway. It is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2010....read more

115 Degrees With a Side of Blowing Sand and Exhaust

Chris LeCron — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:33:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Pretty nasty here in Kuwait now. Not a great time and place to recover from double sinus infections but it is what it is. I have a face mask that I wear outside. Current temps are routinely above 115 degrees. Today the sandstorm is very bad with awful visibility, dust and other debris blowing around. A nice, nasty day in Kuwait....read more

Army Reserve Officer Speaks About Embedding in Aghan National Army

Chris LeCron — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:23:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I saw this piece in the Kansas City Star. A good read, and the Colonel does give an honest assessment. The bottom line is that he is hopeful but there still is much work to do. Link Highlights By COL. JAY D. HADEN Special to The Star KABUL, AFGHANISTAN | As an Army Reserve officer who has spent the last 11 months working with and training the Afghan National Army (ANA), I’d like to share some of my...read more

U.S. Army Tug Valley Forge

Chris LeCron — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:18:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Love this photo! This Army tug boat works at moving vessels in Southport, North Carolina. My parents live right by Sunny Point, or Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point. Virtually all ammunition sent by sealift to overseas U.S. forces is sent by Sunny Point. U.S. Army tug Valley Forge, a dual-purpose tug and fire boat, fires a salute from her water cannons during the dedication of Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point's center wharf in Southport, N.C. The...read more

U.S. Army Vessel Champagne Marne

Chris LeCron — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:03:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Yes, the Army has boats! We actually call them watercraft - Sail Army! I have worked in the Army Watercraft field for a long time. Recently, one of the Army tugboats was re-christened with new nameplates at a ceremony at Kuwait Naval Base. The U.S. Army Vessel "Champagne Marne" is named for the historic 3rd Infantry Division, motto "Rock of the Marne" My wife loved driving through the 3rd Infantry Division gate in Savannah, Georgia when the gate guards would salute and say "Rock of the...read more

Umm Qasr, Iraq - The New Dubai??

Chris LeCron — Fri, 28 May 2010 17:37:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
As we continue the drawdown of equipment and cargo in Iraq, one of the positive developments is the expansion of cargo moving through Iraq's only seaport, Umm Qasr. Between violence from the Iran / Iraq War and the Saddam regime, the port has never really been set up for success until now. Currently, a large portion of U.S. military cargo being shipped back to the USA is sent by ship from Umm Qasr. While this new businees is good, it is not the type of long...read more

Signs of Progress in Central Helmand

Chris LeCron — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:24:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
One of the best speakers and strategists in Afghanistan right now has to be Regional Command South commander, UK Major General Nick Carter. Carter articulates the issues and demands of the counter-insurgency campaign in Afghanistan better than anyone I have heard. I watched a video of him speaking to the press last night on I think NATO TV or Armed Forces Network. Video is below UK Maj Gen Nick Carter speaks to reporters about southern Afghanistan...read more

Dapper Working Dog

Chris LeCron — Tue, 25 May 2010 17:21:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Love this photo!!!! A military working dog wears Doggles to protect his eyes as a Chinook helicopter takes off, kicking up dust and debris, during an air assault operation by U.S. soldiers assigned to Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Regiment, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Parwan province, Afghanistan, May 11, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jason Brace...read more

Know Thyself Leadership

Chris LeCron — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:41:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
As Army officers, we are always studying and fine-tuning our leadership skills. One area that has fascinated me recently is emotional intelligence. The awareness of one's emotions and their affect on our behavior. Leaders should have high regard for emotional intelligence and its role in leading and managing others. Whether in the military or any other field, people want to follow others that are not only inspiring, competent, and motivating, but also self-aware...read more

Supplying the MRAP Pipeline: a Constant Reconciliation

Chris LeCron — Fri, 21 May 2010 18:24:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
My unit here has a team of personnel that are experts on MRAP's (mine resistant ambush protected vehicles). They monitor the distribution process throughout the Middle East area. I just completed a news story discussing their job and the entire MRAPpipeline. Story Link Highlights KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- By air, land, and sea, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles are moving into Iraq and Afghanistan through a network of DOD partners. Integral to...read more

Donkeys Carrying the Load

Chris LeCron — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:22:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Thought this photo and caption were funny! That donkey looks stubborn--- A U.S. Army paratrooper from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team attempts to convince a donkey to walk with him while on their way to conduct a key leader engagement in the village of MangoKheyl, Kherwar District, Logar Province, Afghanistan, 10 Apr. 2010. The U.S. soldiers here are training donkeys in order to get them to the point where they can help carry gear and be more of an asset than...read more

How do we honor the fallen?

Chris LeCron — Wed, 19 May 2010 11:41:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
During the past few days, I have been asking this question of myself. Being active duty army right now in a combat zone is a serious business. We, as a military, take casualties almost on a daily basis in Iraq and Afghanistan. These are both fatal and severely wounded casualties. How does one act on a day-to-day basis with this knowledge and under these circumstances? How do we honor the fallen, respect their memory, and continue to keep morale high? I saw a quote in the NY Times about...read more

More Tajikistan Humanitarian Aid Photos

Chris LeCron — Tue, 18 May 2010 13:35:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
We understand that there are still flood victims in need of shelter and medical care. We are standing by to potentially deliver more tents for living quarters and medical hygiene kits. Spc. Saliyev Djamoliddin (left), a Third Army Soldier and native of Tajikistan, converses with a member of the Tajikistan Army at Kulob, Tajikistan, May 16. Djamoliddin expressed his pleasure with being able to come back to his home country and make a difference as a member...read more

Tajikistan Humanitarian Aid

Chris LeCron — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:21:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
We recently were able to be part of a humanitarian support airlift mission to Tajikistan. The nation has been hit hard by floods and many flood vicitms are without homes and medical care. My command helped the recent airlift of tents and medical supplies to the city of Kulob, Tajikistan. Some photos below and a short news release from my command. A cargo plane laden with supplies for Kulob flood victims lands in Tajikistan. May 16, 2010. CENTCOM photo....read more

Army Social Media for Recruiting and Public Affairs

Chris LeCron — Sun, 16 May 2010 14:47:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
The commander of U.S. Army Accessions Command, Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, was recently on a DOD Bloggers Roundtable session to discuss the use of social media for public affairs anf recruiting. The link to the story and transcript is here. The Army Accessions Command is in charge of Army Recruiting, ROTC programs, and Officer Candidate Schools (think "Officer and a Gentlemen") The General mentioned several times about Army Strong Stories and this...read more

My Army Benefits

Chris LeCron — Sat, 15 May 2010 16:20:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Great site and info about Army Benefits at My Army Benefits Link http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Home.html Everything from retirement to pay,healthcare, education, deployment support, family support, and even the new paternity service benefit. Due to language in the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of 2009, Paternity Leave is now authorized for up to 10 days in connection with the birth of a child. Go here for more information. HOOAH!! ...read more

Don't Forget About Iraq

Chris LeCron — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:03:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Although the media and DOD is rightly focused on Afghanistan, Iraq is now becoming the under the radar conflict, much like Afghanistan was for many years. We have a massive logistics undertaking going on right now with the movement of U.S. forces and equipment out of Iraq by the end of this summer. My unit participated in a ROC (rehearsal of concept) drill this past week in Baghdad where units planned for the movement of their equipment and forces out of Iraq. Many...read more

Afghan Railway to Aid Economy

Chris LeCron — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:36:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Neat article from Bloomberg News about Afghan railway. It is their first rail line and is scheduled to be complete by the end of the calendar year. It is hard to explain how under-developed most of Afghanistan is. I was able to visit where the railway will start on the Uzbek border at the Afghanistan town of Hairiton in March. Will put some photos below. Interesting about potential Iranian line to Herat and that ethnic Uzbeks, Tajiks are not sympathetic...read more

Afghan war allies want Iraq war-tested MRAPs (Army Times / USA Today)

Chris LeCron — Tue, 11 May 2010 20:37:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
One thing we are currently working with several partners on is the transportation and coordination of MRAPs - mine resistant vehicles into Afghanistan for our NATO partners such as Georgia, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Jordan. Tom Vanden Brook, an excellent journalist who I met at the Army Worldwide Public Affairs conference last year, has an article out today about this on USA Today. He has been following the production, use, and shipment...read more

Traaen selected as commander of USCENTCOM distribution center (CDDOC)

Chris LeCron — Tue, 11 May 2010 10:38:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Our next command director has been named. Story and Bio below. It will be a Navy Rear Admiral (lower half) which is equivalent to an Army Brigadier General. He will conduct a TOA (transfer of authority) with my Boss the first week of August. I will be leaving within that timeframe so also will need to transition with the new deputy chief of staff (TBD) "Navy Rear Adm. Thomas C. Traaen has been named the next commander of the U.S. Central Command...read more

Joint Meritorious Unit Award

Chris LeCron — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:31:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
My unit, Central Command Deployment and Distribution Operations Center, recently received the prestigious Joint Meritorious Unit Award (JMUA). It is a "joint" award which is military speak for a unit with all branches of service: Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force. It is a unique experience to work with all services and I have been lucky enough to be in several joint units. The JMUA is a very prestigious award and it is awarded for certain periods of time....read more

Logisticians face challenges in Afghanistan surge (Army News Wire)

Chris LeCron — Sun, 09 May 2010 20:30:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I wanted to re-post this great, article from the Army News Wire on my blog. It is a great, informative article highlighting the many challenges for military logisticians currently in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Haiti as described by the Army Deputy Chief of Staff G4. Link Updated Highlights The Army is also flying supplies into Afghanistan via strategic airfields, Stevenson said. "The airfield in Kandahar has a little over 5,000 takeoffs and...read more

Command Photos

Chris LeCron — Sat, 08 May 2010 14:28:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
YAYY!! I am finally able to access this site from my office computer! That makes this so much easier to update. Our base camp went through a bandwidth issue and the admin site for the blog was firewalled. It has now been corrected and I am able to access!! Attached is our command photo from Kuwait and our forward command photos from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. We have what we call LNO's (liaison officers) at those forward locations....read more

DV visit - 4 star General and 2 Two Star Generals

Chris LeCron — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:38:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
We had what we call a DV visit over the past two days. DV being distinguished visitor. The visitors included three General Officers. Major General Dowd is my boss’s boss and the Director of Logistics for U.S. Central Command. Major General Chambers will be replacing Major General Dowd in about a month. The Central Command Director of Logistics or J4 is stationed at Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida. The forward headquarters for CENTCOM...read more

Tent Photos and Award Photos

Chris LeCron — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 22:40:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
We have an award ceremony for each service-member that departs our unit. I got to say a few words about my Air Force Staff Sergeant that worked IT issues for our unit. He always was working on some issue on the job and did a great deal with little supervision. He bet someone that he would dance a jig at the ceremony and he did it!! Me trying to make a joke during my speech. This is my favorite photo of the tent photos - way too much size and time on the bandwidth to add more but...read more

slow internet

Chris LeCron — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:55:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
wow, finally got this SLOW internet to work in my room, hopefully posting some more photos and stories soon have some great tent photos from afghanistan and some good photos of some award ceremonies we had here...read more

Hand Holding

Chris LeCron — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:24:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Something very different in the Arab culture versus the Western culture. Even at the Kuwait international airport, menholding hands, kissing, and walking arm in arm is very common. I think this photo depicts how far we have come as an army and military in mixing into the Arab culture during our counter-insurgency campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. Army Capt. Mark Moretti sits hand in hand with Shamshir Khan, one of the most senior Korengal Valley elders, on the Korengal Outpost in...read more

Volcanoes, coups, and more . . .

Chris LeCron — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 23:10:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
The volcano ash that is affecting all flights out of Europe has been a challenge to us military transporters trying to get airlift here into the Middle East. Lots of our airlift is contracted and even the Air Force planes ("gray tails") mostly go through Europe before hitting the Middle East, the stand-still has not been good. We also had a fiber cut in out internet so things have been slow and I was not even able to get on this site for a while. I don't even know how it is working now so...read more

Thought on Loyalty

Chris LeCron — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:18:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I was reading an Air Force Command and Staff College book last night on leadership. It is fascinating to learn about and study leadership. One section focused on core values and how a leader should demonstrate core values. One of the core Army values is loyalty: that one has always bothered me. Loyalty to who? To the unit, to the commander, to the nation, to your oath of office? It seems to me that often that value is confused to mean that you should be loyal...read more

Kabul ROC (Rehearsal of Concept) Drill

Chris LeCron — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:18:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Tremendous conference in Kabul just occurred 11-12 April. My organization was lucky enough to participate and have our director sit in the main room of the event. The conference was an Afghanistan Civ-Mil ROC drill where the highest ranking military and civilian leaders discussed the way forward in Afghanistan for the rest of the calendar year. Attendees included Ambassador Holbrooke, U.S. amabassador to Afghanistan, Gen. Petraeus, Central Command commander, President Karzai, Afghan...read more

Way Forward in Afghanistan - Civilian and Military Cooperation Conference Kabul

Chris LeCron — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:03:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
My boss was asked to represent the logistics side of U.S. military Central Command at this recent high level conference in Kabul. Several good news releases in ISAF news wire (NATO's International Security Assistance Force)(acronym for coalition forces in Afghanistan) and the Central Command website. My boss is the two star Air Force General seated directly behind General Petraeus. Major General Robert McMahon, Central Command Deployment & Distribution Operations Center Director, is seated...read more

DOD Photos of the Week Defense.Gov 10APR

Chris LeCron — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 18:23:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Really like the new DOD Website on www.defense.gov very user friendly with lots of links some great photos too A C-130 Hercules takes off on a support mission on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 6, 2010. The air crew, assigned to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, provides combat support to U.S. and coalition forces. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeromy K. Cross U.S. Navy members of a visit, board, search and seizure team from the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul...read more

Manas Air Base

Chris LeCron — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:29:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Lots of planning and alternate plans being made right now in my organization. The security situation in Kyrgyzstan is focing us to make alternate plans to using Manas Air Base. Due to operational security issues, I do not want to comment more on the situation. We rely heavily on Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan for several transportation missions such as moving troops in and out of Afghanistan. Any change in the schedules or locations of passenger flights causes a ripple in the whole military...read more

Kyrgyzstan unrest

Chris LeCron — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:07:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
From a NYT article, link and excerpt below. We rely heavily on Manas, Kyrgyzstan and hope everything settles down soon. From a transportation standpoint, the air base in Manas helps as a staging base for cargo and troops. Full Article MOSCOW — Authorities in Kyrgyzstan declared a national state of emergency on Wednesday after large-scale antigovernment protests broke out and riot police fired on crowds, killing at least 12 people. The unrest threatened an American ally that hosts an...read more

Kuwait City Hookah Restaurant

Chris LeCron — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 11:47:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I had the chance to go off base in Kuwait and saw some local places in Kuwait city and closer to base. We went to a great restaurant with Lebanese food and hookah pipes. The place had great food to include : schwarma's, hummus, spiced potatoes, lamb, pita bread, and more. The hookah pipe was a tasty grape flavor and just an overall great restaurant - looking forward to going there again couscous!! standard hookah pipe! medley of great middle eastern food...read more

Ezra says Hi!

Chris LeCron — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 11:40:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I had the chance to talk to my beautiful boy Ezra and his awesome mommy yesterday! She handed him the phone and he told me hi over and over. I know he heard me say Hi because his Hi's became more emphatic afterwards!! good little boy! me tickling Ezra in January '10. Hel likes to lay on his tummy and wait to be tickled Ezra's Nemo ball pit. What a wise purchase his momma made. Ezra and I have spent hours playing together in the ball pit. He LOVES throwing things out of where...read more

Log Nation

Chris LeCron — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 18:36:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
One of the top General's involved in DOD Logistics likes to call the totality of military commands, defense contractors, DOD civilians, and commercial contractors that support DOD logistics, the "Log Nation". The Log Nation is getting lots of positive press in the civilian and DOD media. Here are some headlines from Today. Front page article on Fox News, my unit featured in Air Force Times, and more. We are heading into a critical period in supplying the Afghan surge and Iraq drawdown. ...read more

Paulie Walnuts

Chris LeCron — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:00:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
More photos of USO Tour with Sopranos, Rose McGowan, and New Orleans Saints player. Former "Sopranos" stars James Gandolfini (R) and Tony Sirico (C) are given a tour of an MRAP armored vehicle during a USO tour stop at a forward operating base in the Persian Gulf on March 28, 2010. In the region as part of a seven-day USO tour led by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, this is the duo's second USO tour. (USO Photo by Fred Greaves) Paulie Walnuts smiles in...read more

"Since Alexander built Kandahar"

Chris LeCron — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:47:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Great, informative article in the NYT today about the massive logistical challenges we are facing here in Central Command. The simultaneous drawdown in Iraq, coupled with the many challenges of getting troops and supplies into Afghanistan. Here is a link and some highlights NYT Article "Nonlethal supplies flowing into Afghanistan include cement, lumber, blast barriers, septic tanks and rubberized matting, all to expand space at airfields and double, to 40, the number of forward...read more

"Marone'" says Paulie

Chris LeCron — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:45:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I got to the Sopranos USO event a little late and there was no more room in the auditorium. I stayed outside by the door to see if I could get some photos from there. Then, Tony and Paulie came in the front door right by me. Paulie shook my hand and gave me a big bear hug. Tony was looking around and then came over and shook my hand. Since I was outside of the event, I didn't want to make them wait and take a photo with me. I got Paulie's photo walking away from me and Tony right before he...read more

Sopranos USO Tour Kuwait

Chris LeCron — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:16:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Will be going to see Tony and Pauli this week!!!!!...read more

DOD Bloggers Roundtable - CENTCOM Deployment and Distribution Operations Center

Chris LeCron — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:48:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
My boss, Maj Gen Robert McMahon, will be on a DOD Bloggers Roundtable Discussion tomorrow 1100 EDT U.S. Info at the link below and text below DOD Bloggers Roundtable CDDOC "We have scheduled a DODLive Bloggers Roundtable for Wednesday, March 31, 11:00 EDT with U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert H. McMahon, director of Central Command Deployment and Distribution Center. McMahon will discuss how CENTCOM DDOC is moving the surge of U.S. forces and equipment into Afghanistan, prioritizing the...read more

At the Afghanistan / Pakistan border - Torkham

Chris LeCron — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:56:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I just published a news article today about our trip to the Afghanistan / Pakistan border. Link It really is a beautiful country there. We traveled to Torkham Gate, the main border crossing for all trucks and goods transiting from Pakistan. U.S. military and NATO forces have hundreds of trucks a day transiting there. It is located in the Khyber Pass area of the Hindu Kush mountain range. My article has about 25 photos that are published but I will add some of my favorite here with...read more

Mazar e Sharif

Chris LeCron — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 17:24:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Published news article link as promised about Mazar-e Sharif and NATO in northern Afghanistan Link My bald dome in front of an MRAP at the Mazar e Sharif airfield. The historic blue mosque in Mazar e Sharif. German soldiers on patrol outside of Mazar e Sharif....read more

Danke Schon, Camp Marmal, Afghanistan

Chris LeCron — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:40:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Camp Marmal, a base camp near Mazar-e Sharif was truly a beautiful location with a wonderful Star Wars bar like quality to the atmosphere. Soldiers from Germany, Hungary, Sweden, Croatia, Norway, and even Latvia are stationed at the northern Afghanistan base camp. A Hungarian 1st Lieutenant was our POC at the camp and did a great job. We even received a beer garden ration card - althought we could not use due to not being allowed to drink in a combat zone (USA Only). The Germans are...read more

Hairaton, Afghanistan - On the Uzbekistan Border

Chris LeCron — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 17:28:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Wanted to attach a link to a story I published today about Hairaton logistics at the Afghan/Uzbek border Link Some of my favorite photos from the story A view of the river and streetside from a building in Hairiton. You can see the German force protection team with their armored vehicles in the background. Lieutenant Csech, Hungarian Army, on the left was our joint visitor bureau guide at Camp Marmal. He arranged transportation and tents for us :) Maj Gen McMahon presents a unit...read more

Trip to Afghanistan

Chris LeCron — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:54:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Just got back from an amazing mission to Afghanistan! Managed to get to the Afghanistan/Uzbek border, Afghanistan/Pakistan border, Masar e Shariff, Hairaton, Jalalabad, and Torkham. Here a just a few of some great photos that I took. More later when have more time :) At the Afghanistan / Uzbekistan border (Hairitan) March 24, 2010. At the Afghanistan / Pakistan border, March 25, 2010. A walking patrol of Torkham, Afghanistan with a heavy personnel security detail. A...read more

Iraq Cargo Re-Distribution

Chris LeCron — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:01:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Great article from 3rd Army regarding the move of cargo/equipment from Iraq to Afghanistan and retrograde operations. Article Link Photo credit Sgt. David John Nunn Spc. Robert-Lee Pass performs preventative maintenance checks and services on his Heavy Expanded Mobility Truck, or HEMT wrecker, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. His National Guard unit, the 1166th Combat Heavy Equipment Transportation Company, is supporting Third Army’s Responsible Drawdown by transporting heavy equipment from...read more

SPOD

Chris LeCron — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:18:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I’ve been able to spend some time at what we call the SPOD (seaport of debarkation). The main SPOD in Kuwait is the seaport of Ash Shuybah. There are over 20 berths for vessels – a huge number for a seaport. Many large seaports only have 7-8 berths. The U.S. military normally only uses 2-4 of the berths and usually only 1-2 concurrently now. During the major surge of Iraq operations in 2003, they sometimes used over 10 at a time. There are many moving pieces of the operation to include...read more

Ezra

Chris LeCron — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:40:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Things are going well here! Planning an upcoming trip outside of Kuwait. Will be able to discuss more after. It was awesome to see photos of my boy Ezra playing with his grandparents and momma!!!!...read more

Soccer Photos

Chris LeCron — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:55:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Yes, it is possible to have some grass in the desert! Some soccer photos of a game with Kuwait Military team versus U.S. Army Kuwait team ...read more

Heat

Chris LeCron — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:53:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Everything is well here. It is starting to get hot, I mean real hot! & I love warm weather. I have been working out at lunchtime but that may be ending soon. Yesterday, I ran a 2 mile run for time on the track in what was probably 95 degree heat. My time was very good considering I was still sore from my soccer game and the heat. I was able to run a sub 14 minute 2 mile which probably equals almost a 13 minute two mile with fresh legs and decent temps. Yesterday afternoon and evening I had a...read more

Starfish and the Spider

Chris LeCron — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:49:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
We had a meeting the other day with some Special Oeprations logisticians. The Special OPS guys specialize in foreign internal defense, counter-insurgency, and clandestine ops. Much of what they do is secret so can't really discuss on a blog. However, during the interest roundtable discussion, one officer mentioned the concept of the starfish and the spider. The idea is that a starfish keeps re-generating no matter where it gets cut. However, a spider can be killed by cutting at the...read more

KFC in the Desert and More

Chris LeCron — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:48:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Have some things to say but no time :) will add a few photos Yes, KFC exists in the desert :) i have not eatend there for fear of my stomach not accepting it but in case i decide too there are also some nice port-johns nearby there is a small Starbucks beyond the KFC too! Cool photo today from the DOD Flickr site Caption "U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates exits a V-22 Osprey aircraft at Forward Operating Base Cafferata, Afghanistan, March 9, 2010. DoD photo by Cherie...read more

Intrinsic Motivation

Chris LeCron — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:09:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
All is well here in the desert. I was able to get away today to workout during lunch. I need to buy some actual boxing gloves because the weightlifting gloves are not enough. They work for about 10-15 minutes but after that my hands start blistering. I’m definitely going to buy some or order some today because 30 minutes of heavy bag boxing equals knuckle blisters without gloves. Yesterday, we had a two star Army General that went very well. We ended up having an informal dinner at the dining...read more

Gates of Babylon

Chris LeCron — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:50:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
It seems like a lot of the media focus is on Afghanistan now. However, this upcoming election in Iraq is truly a historic time. It will be our real transition to stability operations there with Iraqis in the lead. I follow Tom Ricks blog over at foreignpolicy.com - he really thinks that Iraq is unraveling and will erupt sometime soon. He is a very smart and knowledgeable guy so let's hope he is wrong. In an unclassified portion of a meeting, I came across a crazy figure about Iraq. We...read more

Manas

Chris LeCron — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:21:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Everything is going well over here. I feel a bit better from my head cold and was able to work out today lightly. Complete a short crossfit workout during lunch time with some jumping squats, sprints, and box jumps. I should be able to play soccer tomorrow in our game against the Kuwait National Guard. We are preparing for news on a posible shift in logistics through Turkey. Turkey is upset about the upcoming potential U.S. resolution labeling the 1915 conflict an "Armenian Genocide". ...read more

Ghengis Khan

Chris LeCron — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:32:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Wow, holy sandstorm. I had to walk to the post office to mail something for my commander and ended up barraged in a tremendous sandstorm. I used some paper towels to cover my nose and face. It is tough right now because I am already working with a head cold. The paper towels actually worked fairly well though and I plan to utilize a face mask today if I have to go outside any more (which I hope to avoid) One of the colonels that I work with is a foreign cinema buff (mostly Polish stuff). We...read more

Desk Photo

Chris LeCron — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:29:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
This is where I normally hang my hat. It is not really an office, but has everything I need :) Nice place to hang my battle rattle behind the desk....read more

Kuwait National Guard soccer

Chris LeCron — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:13:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I had the chance to play soccer last night. It was interesting to play on a mix of sand/dirt/rocks. I had a bulge in my sock afterwards and realized it was actually sand ? We have some good players on the Camp team and even one player from the All-Army team that I played with at All-Army in 2008. We have a couple games coming up against the Kuwait National Guard and military. Several of their players are national team players so it will be quite a test and unique experience. I hope to post some...read more

Patton Drive

Chris LeCron — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:23:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Main Drag on base - Patton Drive! A little boxing workout with heavy bags and some Marines! ...read more

Caspian Sea

Chris LeCron — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:18:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Lots going on here and weather is getting a bit better. Just got done a boxing and crossfit workout. There are some heavy bags outside, also pull-up bars and arm walk bars. Last night, I almost ran a sub-13 minute 2 mile run which is very good for me. Once, I get under 13, I am in really good shape. Fascinating some of the routes that cargo goes through to get to Afghanistan. Some is shipped by vessel to the Middle Ease and then flown in. Some is sent through Russia, some through the Black Sea...read more

Kuwait FEB 2010 Photos

Chris LeCron — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:40:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
463L pallets, material is loaded onto pallets, strapped down, and then loaded onto AF plane stray camels in kuwait :) kuwait tent cities near main roads...read more

Sandstorm PT (physical training)

Chris LeCron — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:29:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I am planning on meeting with my boss next week to discuss my blogging on Army Strong Stories. My unit is working on some really fascinating logistics movements within Central Command. However, some of the movements and timelines are labeled secret so I want to ensure that I am in complete compliance with operational security. We are deeply involved in shipping the new kinds of mine resistant vehicles into Afghanstan. It is interesting because I was deeply involved in shipping some of the...read more

Blown Tire in Kuwait

Chris LeCron — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:32:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I went to pick a newcomer Colonel from my unit with a Navy Senior Chief. I'm trying to learn the roads here in Kuwait because I will need to drive with the Boss around our area. We picked up the Colonel with no incidents. However, the back left tire started to sound bumpy (we were in a 15 pax van). We got out to look at the tire and it seemed fine. Then, 2 minutes later it blew. It was really weird as the tread was stripped right down the middle. It was a real pain in the neck to...read more

Getting into the Groove

Chris LeCron — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:52:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I feel like I'm starting to settle in after a few days here in country in Kuwait. Some key leaders will be traveling next week, so it will give me more time to get acclimated. One thing I want to start is a hometown news release program for my unit. Basically, I would write a short template of the unit we are, the person's job and their hometown. It would get published in the Army News Wire and forwarded to their local newspaper. Much of what we do here is secret or top secret so it is...read more

Drink Thru the Firehose

Chris LeCron — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:20:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
We call it drinking through the firehose when you start a new position and are bombarded with info. This is where I am right now in my assignement. However, i feel like I am picking some things up and the mission of the unit is really amazing. As an example. the unit works on cutting down travel time for rest and recuperation trips. These are 2 weeks of leave soldiers take in the middle of year-long tours. During a research phase, it was determined that...read more

Hello from Arifjan, Kuwait

Chris LeCron — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:31:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
We had some hiccups getting to Kuwait, but now we are here! I will post some photos of my pre-deployment training in this post as well. We couldn't get out of US due to weather and maintenance issues on the plane. However, we did make it into Kuwait last night after stopping in Ireland and passing through some other Middle East countries. It is about 85 here today and very nice out. More to follow soon and am working on getting set-up in my living quarters and job at CENTCOM Deployment...read more

Delayed En-Route to Kuwait

Chris LeCron — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:04:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Although I should already be in Kuwait, our flight was delayed due to weather. The East Coast really has got slammed with snow and we had some issues getting the plane de-iced. Hopefully, my next post will be from Kuwait or somewhere close by there in the Middle East. Right now, we are waiting at a CONUS location to board the plane and depart enroute to Kuwait. We should have one stop in Europe somewhere. Waiting for news about our delayed flight to Kuwait and getting some rest. Our...read more

1st Day at CRC (Pre-Deployment CONUS Replacement Center)

Chris LeCron — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:03:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Today is Day 1 at the CONUS Replacement Center Fort Benning Georgia for me. I should be here for about a week and then fly out. About 500 people here processing for the week, mostly contractors and DOD civilians. There are a ton of interpreters and even some dog handlers. We did some paperwork today, briefings, and some testing for traumatic brain injury that was interesting, Here are some photos, more to follow.. My first station. In line at a huge pavilion. Ft. Benning, GA CRC...read more

One Tribe at a Time - A Special Forces Plan for Afghanistan

Chris LeCron — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:25:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I wanted to share this with everyone. Major Grant, a highly decorated U.S. Army Special Forces Major with extensive time in Iraq and Afghanistan has written an outstanding point paper on how to stabilize and secure Afghanistan. The paper is called "One Tribe at a Time" and can be read here. I worked with special operations personnel and particularly special forces soldiers when in my last command in Korea. Their detachments are perfect for COIN (counter-insurgency) operations in...read more

Haiti News, Sealift

Chris LeCron — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:08:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I wanted to write a quick update about Haiti. My old unit, Surface Deployment Distribution Command, is sending a seaport team to Haiti to help deliver humanitarian aid by sealift. The unit is a new type of unit made to run a port that is newly opened or degraded. The idea is to be able to get supplies into a wartime conflict area if no fixed port is available. However, this idea works great in the current Haiti disaster as the seaport is greatly needed right now and the unit will help to get...read more

Periodic Health Assessment

Chris LeCron — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 05:59:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I had my periodic health assessment completed today. It was a very painless experience. I went to a very professional health care clinic called Corporate Care in Warren, Ohio. It was sub-contracted out by the Army Human Resources Command. Warren is one of the small mid-western towns that has been hit very hard by the economy and outsourcing of auto/manufacturing jobs. I only had to get 3 shots :) hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and influenza. I know that...read more

Central Command Transportation and Logistics, the Strategic Level

Chris LeCron — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:48:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Currently, I am prepping for my assignment to CDDOC, Central Command Distribution and Deployment Operations Center. The organization is headuartered in Kuwait with forward locations in Baghdad and Kabul. The mission of the organization is to ensure transportation needs are met from the strategic level down to the tactical level. From beans to bullets, do we have enough? How is it getting there? By sea, air, truck, or rail? Do we have visibility of it, ie GPS, RFITV? Is it going...read more

Shooting the 9mm Berretta

Chris LeCron — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:23:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I was able to link up with a unit today and shoot with the 9mm Berretta. I wanted to get familiarized with the 9mm since I have shot many weapons in the army but mostly rifles. This was my first experience with the 9mm. It is a fairly easy handgun to operate and use. The kick was a little less than I though it would be but still had something to it for sure. I think I will try to hook up with them one more time before I deploy. Most officers at the field grade level, Major(O-4) and...read more

More Deployment Prep

Chris LeCron — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:15:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Well, I just finished completing 16 of my 24 annual drill days for the year. My unit was low on funding so I volunteered to use my drill days tro come for the last 3 weeks. The Defense Information School has an excellent program that certifies instructors there. I ended up giving 4 teaching lectures and was evaluated on all four. Although I am very comfortable teaching, I do have a problem varying my tone of voice. One of my mentors suggested that I try to...read more

Army-Navy and More

Chris LeCron — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:56:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I am pretty psyched for the Army-Navy game tomorrow. Army actually can make a bowl game if they win!!!! Although Navy is favored, Army is much improved and don't be surprised if the game is tight throughout. I expect nothing less than a close game til the 4th quarter at least. On another note, I am still prepping for my upcoming deployment in a couple months. I'm still waiting on my official orders, but have been told that they will come anyday now. It is very exciting and nerve...read more

Upcoming Deployment

Chris LeCron — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:52:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I just received official word that orders for my upcoming deployment have been generated. I will be working with Central Command as a liaison officer from Surface Deployment Distribution Command. I think most of my time will be spent in Kuwait. Blogging here will help me add the public affairs aspect to the deployment, as well as some media engagement while I am there. So many thoughts and emotions right now!! I am happy that I will able to blog here at Army...read more

Defense Information School Instructor Training Course (DINFOS-ITC)

Chris LeCron — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:37:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
My new assignment is as an adjunct reserve instructor at the Defense Information School, Ft. Meade, MD. The slot is for an O-5, Lt. Col., but can be filled by a Major. Currently, I am going through the Instructor Training Course at the School. The course has been excellent so far and really will be helpful in taking teaching tips into the classroom. As an adjunct instructor, I will use my drill days and annual training days to come teach at DINFOS. The school will work with me to figure...read more

Oakley Military

Chris LeCron — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:56:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I'm about to order some prescription sunglasses from Oakley. They have a great discount program for soldiers where you can buy equipment with no tax with proof of military service. Their site is https://secure.usstandardissue.com U.S. Army Photo By Sgt. Timothy Kingston An Iraqi girl tries on a 3rd Infantry Divsion's Staff Sgt. Corey West's sunglasses. Ja'ara, Iraq, Aug. 2007 ...read more

USS NY Coast Guard Escort Photo

Chris LeCron — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:03:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I wanted to add this U.S. Navy photo. It really is a great shot with the Statue of Liberty in the background. What a great shot to celebrate Veterans Day!! Happy Veterans Day to all and thank you for your service vets, this day is for you!!! Coast Guard Marine Safety and Security Team Boston and New York City Police Department marine and air units escort the amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) into New York Harbor. The ship has 7.5 tons of steel...read more

USS NY: Floating 9/11 Memorial, Military Sealift Vessel

Chris LeCron — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:10:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I wanted to post a piece about the USS NY. Many army soldiers and other military members joined the service after 9/11 or have re-committed their careers after that traumatic event. It is awesome to see a new Navy vessel built from 9/11 WTC steel and dedicated to NYC! The amphibious ships like USS NY are essential for use when seaport facilites are not available, under attack, or cannot support deep water vessels. The USS NY can transport light vehicles...read more

Marth Raddatz Re: Women at War

Chris LeCron — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:37:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Interesting articles about and by Martha Raddatz on women at war: Link Link "I can't help but think most Americans think women aren't in combat," says Specialist Ashley Pullen who was awarded a Bronze Star for valor in 2005 for her heroic action in Iraq where she served with a military police unit. "We're here and we're right up with the guys." Female U.S. Army soldiers conduct modern army combatives. U.S. Army Photo. ...read more

U.S. Army Combat Medics Treat Local Afghans (Video)

Chris LeCron — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:35:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Great Video I found from the public affairs office of Joint Sustainment Command Afghanistan, DVIDS. www.dvidshub.net/ U.S. Army Photo...read more

US Army Nurse Delivers Baby in Africa

Chris LeCron — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:33:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I love this story!!! http://www.usaraf.army.mil/ Caption: KITGUM, Uganda, Oct 20 -- 1st. Lt. Victoria Lynn Watson holds a 15-minute-old infant she delivered at the Pajimo Clinic in rural Kitgum. Watson, an Army Reserve Soldier from Abilene, Texas, and deployed with the 7225th Medical Support Unit (MSU), is a labor and delivery nurse in her civilian occupation and was called upon to assist when the 19-year-old expectant mother arrived at the clinic in an...read more

Women in COIN

Chris LeCron — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:26:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Interesting blog post by Tom Ricks about the use of women soldiers/marines in counterinsurgency ops. http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/10/09/women_in_coin_ii_how_to_do_it_right "I've been reading a recent internal summary of how Marine "Female Engagement Teams," or FETs, have worked in Afghanistan. The bottom line is that done right, this approach works surprisingly well, with benefits among the population that can't be achieved by males."...read more

Army History Museum New Drawings of Future Plans

Chris LeCron — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:18:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
The U.S. Army History Musuem is due to open in Ft. Belvoir, VA, in 2013. A new story on army.mil talks about the future plans and has great photos depicting the new site. Click here for the story. U.S. Army Photo, Depiction of Future Army History Museum...read more

Combined Arms Exercise

Chris LeCron — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:11:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I am blogging from the Combined Arms School at Ft. Dix. Basically, the school is designed for Army Reserve Captains and Majors to learn how to be good staff officers. The school has been very tough so far. There are many briefings due and there is a specific process we must go through in terms of evaluating a problem. Much of it has to do with the military decision making process. More to follow .. . It is interesting to realize how many assumptions we...read more

Hooah News - Coast Guard

Chris LeCron — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:26:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I wanted to make a quick post before departing for Combined Arms School. I will blog daily from Combined Arms School at Ft. Dix starting next week. Here is a HOOAH photo of the Coast Guard providing support for Army cargo ships arriving in Kuwait. www.hooahnews.com U.S. Army Photo of Coast Guard Port Security Unit near Kuwait Naval Base, Sep, 2009. ...read more

Officer Prof. Education

Chris LeCron — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:02:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
I just got my orders for Combined Arms School 17 day exercise in September. The school is part of an army reserve officer professional education. It is a requirement to attend ILE and I will psot daily from CAS school in a couple weeks. It should be a great experience to practice the military professioanl decision making process and staff planning....read more

Media, OPSEC, and Good News

Chris LeCron — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:31:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
As a public affairs guy, I am always searching for Army/DOD stories and how we can communicate those to the general public. One great place for news in Afghanistan I have found is called www.wired.com/dangerroom I read this recent story regarding Marines altering their strategy to avoiding IED's by using commercial GPS's to change up their routes. Many of the user comments complained that the story gave away tactics for the enemy. What do you guys think? My take is that we have to...read more

Army Green Beret Headlines MMA Event

Chris LeCron — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:33:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
A Special Forces NCO, Tim Kennedy, will leave the service this month and become a full-time professional mixed martial arts fighter. He will headline the Sept. 25 Strikeforce event on Showtime. I wrote a longer article on my associatedcontent site if interested http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2096447/army_green_beret_headlines_mma_strikeforce.html Here is a video of a Kennedy fight in 2007 www.youtube.com/watch...read more

New DOD Website Invites Public Interaction, Displays Social Media Links

Chris LeCron — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:27:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
The new DOD website went live today at www.defense.gov It really is a great site and has a tone of new features. The best part to me is the resource for all of the new DOD media pages. Some of my favorites are the U.S. Forces Afghanistan Facebook page, the Walter Reed Blog, and the Joint Chiefs Twitter page. If interested, I wrote a longer review on my associated content page at www.associatedcontent.com/article/2074243/dod_invites_public_to_interactive_web.html Here are some of my...read more

Special Operations Command Korea

Chris LeCron — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:33:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
As Ulchi Focus is about to begin in South Korea, I wanted to post about my experience in Key Resolve this past March with Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR). SOCKOR is an awesome unit for those interested and are headuartered at Camp Kim, Korea. I got the chance to cover their operations around the whole South Korean peninsula during Key Resolve as their pubic affairs officer. The special forces relationships between the ROK and US forces is a very tight one and just a great thing to...read more

Army Wikipedia for Doctrine?

Chris LeCron — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:45:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
If you haven't seen this before, the Army has comeout with a new way to increase the depth of field manuals and professional development. As a pilot program, they set up a milwiki where all soldiers with an AKO account can log on and create, edit, or search pages. I've attached a photo from the Army News story. It made it onto the front page of the NYT business section today and I wrote up an analysis on associated content. links and photo below. I love this idea and it is great for...read more

Army Reserve Vessel Photos, Current Deployment

Chris LeCron — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:39:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Photo Credit: Sgt. Luis Delgadillo, US Army Reserve.) The Logistic Support Vessel (LSV) 7 SSGT Robert Kuroda got underway from Pearl Harbor July 11. She onloaded a Boeing C-17 fuselage in Seal Beach, Calif., and is headed for the Panama Canal: final destination, Hampton Roads, Va., where the 50-ton, 125-ft long fuselage will be delivered to Fort Lee to serve as a trainer for logistics personnel. Using the Army Reserve ship instead of commercial transport saved the American taxpayers around...read more

Sail Army, Waterborne!!!

Chris LeCron — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:34:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Ugh! Just deleted my last post by accident. I wanted to add some army sealift photos. The Army Watercraft Field is a little known specialty. Here are some Surface Deployment Distribution Command / Military Sealift Command Photos. Also, check out the army reserve blog at http://myarmyreserve.blogspot.com/ A Sgt. is blogging from an army reserve vessel now in its way from Hawaii to Virginia. MRAPs loaded onto a vessel. Coast Guard Security. me in front of one of the first...read more

Army Officership Campaign

Chris LeCron — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:00:00 GMT

By: Chris LeCron
Wow. Has everyone seen the Army Officership commercial out this past week? It is an amazing commercial that features historic clips of famous officers such as George Washington, Teddy Roosevelt, Colin Powell, and even General Petraues. I am telling you, that you will really like it and get goose bumps. Watch it here www.youtube.com/watch As a public affairs officer, I am very proud to be a part of this site and share my personal story. This is a great and...read more