Headquarters Support Company

One month from now I will assume command of Headquarters Support Company (HSC), 603rd Aviation. With 239 Soldiers, it is the second largest company in the Brigade (out of a total of 32) and almost as large as many Battalions. The average aviation company has roughly only 65-70 pilots and crew chiefs, which sure seemed like a lot as a Platoon Leader; This will be a leadership challenge of a different magnitude. The company commander is normally a Logistics officer (which I am not) but apparently the Colonel thought I was the best man for the job. This promotion was not at all expected as the current commander is essentially getting fired from the position for reasons too numerous (and personal) to list here. Perhaps you saw the news story about the Specialist at Hunter who couldn't/wouldn't deploy due to her child? That's HSC!

The Company consists of a Headquarters element, a Support Operations section, a Motor Pool (Mechanic) Platoon, a Dining Facility (cook) platoon, and a Medical platoon. Definitely an interesting conglomeration of skills and personnell whose health, welfare, actions, and lives will literally become my responsibility! After I take command and better understand the units mission I will try to deliniate these functions even further. For now the focus is still on the equipment and getting to know my Soldiers. Only 237 more names to learn!

and so it begins

Not too much to report this week. I took a little trip to a Command OutPost (COP) along the border of Pakistan to meet some of my future Soldiers there and also inventory their equipment. I took a Chinook ride there in the middle of the night, stayed for about 12 hours, then came halfway back on a Canadian 'Molson' Huey and finally back to Bagram via a C-212. Quite the trip. My lasting impression is how disparate the conditions are across the battlefield here. Bagram is akin to a big city in terms of population density but also amenities. This much smaller base lacked a Post Exchange (store), and limited shower usage to once every 3 days due to a water shortage. Even so, the water was so cold that some guys resorted to microwaved bottled water to mitigate the 'suck-factor' (sorry, that's Soldier slang). As the war in Afghanistan has endured for 8 years already, I guess I expected better conditions than this. No doubt there are smaller outposts without even heat or electricity and the living conditions will trend towards even more expeditionary through the surge this summer.

The remainder of the week was spent preparing for my future company command. We start the inventory process tomorrow morning which will continue for the next 30 days. Basically I need to see every piece of physical property in the company prior to becoming responsible for the safekeeping and proper use of military equipment worth Millions of dollars. This promises to be a painful process as it means going through every one of 86 toolboxes, counting every round of ammunition on hand, seeing every radio and computer, and inspecting our many combat vehicles among other things. Please pray for diligence and patience on my part and the ability to account for everything from my counterpart. Thank you all for your continued support.

Major William Hecker

It happened four years ago, January 5th, 2006 to be exact. My mentor Major William Hecker was killed in Iraq by an IED blast. He left behind 4 kids and a wonderful wife; I cannot fathom why God took such an incredible man away from his family and country. This is my attempt to honor his memory.

For four years at West Point, then-Captain Hecker invested himself in my life. It all started in plebe English, a mandatory pass/fail class that everyone dreaded. Major Hecker expected every Army officer to express themselves clearly and articulately. After that class he convinced me to be an English major, which was short-lived due to ideological differences with a certain civilian professor. Nevertheless, he understood.

Major Hecker later led an Officer's Christian Fellowship men's study in which I met many of my best friends. He helped us to critically read Christian literature and see the substance through the style. Third (Cow) year was my absolute most formative, mostly due to the depths we discussed in a weekly Wild at Heart study. Eccentric and skinny on the outside, Major Hecker was an intellectual giant and spiritually mature beyond his years. During his tenure at the Academy he managed to compile and publish a collection of poems Edgar Allen Poe had written during his one semester at West Point. Rumor has it Cadet Poe was kicked out after coming to formation sans uniform (or any article of clothing for that matter).

More than anything Major Hecker modeled what it meant to be a Christian man, a father, and an officer. I sometimes imagine him tracking my Army career from above, still with that mischievous smirk. If so he is probably still frustrated by my incidental use of the passive voice, yet hopefully proud of my progress. I miss you Sir. Thank you for a life well lived.
To excerpt the last stanza of the Alma Mater:

And when our work is done, 

Our course on earth is run, 

May it be said, 'Well Done; Be Thou At Peace.'

Field Trip

So I took a little trip this week with the Sergeant Major and another Captain. The picture to the left was my view of sunrise from the plane on the way there. We spent two days at a FOB (Forward Operating Base) which will triple in size over the next year due to the 'surge'. Our task was to coordinate with the Engineers there, incidentally a Reserve unit from Minnesota (including a guy from Fargo!)  This was likely my last duty as the 'Brigade Facilities Manager'.

The Sergeant Major and I make a pretty dynamic duo. He's the bull-dog that gets things done behind the scenes; I'm the friendly facilitator, planner, coordinator and briefer. He spent the majority of his career in Special Forces Aviation which explains why his motto is 'smarter, not harder'.  This is likely his last hurrah before retirement, when he plans to work part-time at a Harley dealership. He owns 3 Harleys; I have 3 mountain bikes. Despite all of our apparent differences we do share something important in common: our love for our wives. This weekend he told me their story, which was kind of odd to hear from such a gruff man who rarely shows emotion. Both of us met our wives days prior to our last deployment and, remarkably, both women waited for us to return (and sent cookies in the meantime!). As we tried to sleep on hard Army cots in a cold room he summed up exactly what I was thinking: "What I wouldn't give to be next to my wife in bed right now". Well said, Sergeant Major. May that day come soon enough.

Zum Geburtstag viel Glück!

To hear Jocelyn sing this yesterday, to the tune of Happy Birthday, was the highlight of my special day. I turned 29 this New Years Eve (called Silvester Nacht in German), even though most people think I still look 21; I'll take that as a compliment.

Is it boasting to say I have the best wife in the world? Many of you conspired to surprise me with a Birthday book full of memories and wisdom which I will always treasure. She spent weeks consolidating and scrapbooking all of this so that I would have a tangible reminder of your support and prayers through scripture and pictures. Thank you for those who contributed and especially to Mein Lieblings for the thoughtfulness and effort behind this project.

Of course I would rather be home with her, but we're making the best of things here. My Sergeant Major and Deputy Commander tricked me into a trip across the street to 'Green Beans' - the militarized Starbucks only in overseas countries - to buy a Birthday coffee. Then some of the folks in my office acquired a cake from the DFAC which we ate together after dinner. I really, truly enjoy the Soldiers I work with and will miss them immensely. Which leads to my other Birthday surprise. I found out last night that I will be changing positions/jobs. On the same base but in another unit with a different role and responsibilities. More about this later once I can fully comprehend the significance of this transition.

My one and only resolution for 2010? The same as Jocelyn's: Lord-willing I make it home safe, sound, and on time. 
Frohes Neues Jahr!

Christmas Mission

As promised, a quick recap of the special mission. First the pictures, then an explanation:

What you see above is the 6 hour process of loading a helicopter simulator into a C-5 Galaxy. Or, from a Soldier's perspective, 'like watching a python swallow a rabbit'. More specifically, we were tasked to help some civilian contractors move a Longbow Crew Trainer (for Apache Pilots) from here back to Texas. Because of its importance and price tag ($27M) it cannot travel through normal means. Because of its size, roughly two semi-trailers, it is only transportable by the largest plane in the Air Force Inventory. The trailers require a special forklift to build a special ramp so that a special truck can drive directly on the front of the C5. Even so, the setup affords only about 3 inches of clearance at most with zero tolerance for error. Fun, eh?

Somehow I became responsible for the whole operation, from requesting the aircraft 3 weeks ago to coordinating all the times, tools, and personnel required to load this ridiculous contraption. Unfortunately the first C5 arrived over a week ago but was unable to 'squat' down due to a mechanical issue so could not take the load; That's what happens with a nearly 40-year old aircraft. (I've actually flown Blackhawks even older than myself). When the big day came everything was ready and, though it wasn't pretty, we accomplished the mission. Again, not as exciting as an Air Assault but interesting learning something new and working with a diverse group of people towards a common goal. That's what the military is all about.

We worked through lunch but were done well before Christmas Dinner. Nope, no lefse or lutefisk but there was a watered-down version of Egg Nog and all the usual fixings. All in all, a Christmas to remember.

It was not a silent night...

Today after my 1600 meeting someone reminded us it was Christmas Eve so we should take a 'few hours' off. Tomorrow, Christmas morning, I will be on the flight line at 0530 for at least 5 hours for a special mission--more to follow later. But tonight, at least for a couple hours at the candlelight service it truly felt like Christmas.  I've never heard Christmas songs sung so strong and loud, definitely un-Lutheran like, yet necessary to overcome the constant noise from the aircraft on the runway. This short service may be the only source of hope for some and a lonely reminder of home for others. The Soldiers sang. The jets roared. It was glorious indeed. Reminded me of the first line from this Andrew Peterson song on his classic Christmas album:

It was not a silent night

There was blood on the ground

You could hear a woman cry

In the alleyways that night

On the streets of David's town

And the stable was not clean

And the cobblestones were cold

And little Mary full of grace

With the tears upon her face

Had no mother's hand to hold

It was a labor of pain

It was a cold sky above

But for the girl on the ground in the dark

With every beat of her beautiful heart

It was a labor of love

Jocelyn flew with Bella to spend a week with her parents in Texas, where they are enjoying the snow today! This will be my second Christmas overseas, and coincidentally my second without any of the white fluffy stuff (I can see it on the mountaintops however!) We will try to open presents together via Skype if the connection works, so at least we are able to see each other.

Back home the Hermans and Leopolds are undoubtedly cooking up a storm and celebrating together today. Our family has a few unique traditions which I would like to share with you.
Lefse: the magical Norwegian homemade potato flatbred and sugar/butter treat that both Grandmothers make to perfection.
Oyster Soup: Only the older generations actually eat the Oysters. The rest of us just drink the broth or smell out of curiosity.
Snow on the Mountain: A 13-layer Asian fusion combination that has become a tradition on the Herman side. The layers have a particular order and the dish is topped off with coconut. Simply wunderbar.
Walk through the Broomstick: Difficult to explain, but suffice to say I win the contest every year I'm there. I can usually do it in under 4 seconds. Kristin: 4.1 seconds. Dad? 3-5 minutes!
Talent Show: The children/grandchildren must sing/dance/play piano before opening gifts. 
Grandpa reading the Christmas story from Matthew: Priceless, a powerful reminder of why we celebrate Christ's birth.

Merry Christmas,
Mark