By Sgt. Tony Hawkins
USASOC PAO

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – One hundred computers were given away to 50 families among Army Special Operations soldiers during an event at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Aug. 12.

Each family received a Hewlett-Packard desktop and laptop computer in order to stay in touch with their Soldier while he or she is deployed.

“This will make it so much easier on me, especially if I can see their faces [while deployed],” said Sgt. Aquil Farid, supply sergeant for the 97th Civil Affairs Battalion. Farid said just being able to speak with his family via webcam is a great morale booster.

The giveaway was coordinated by a partnership of the Armed Forces Foundation, Aaron’s, Inc., and Hewlett-Packard. Each of the computers came equipped with video conferencing software so the families can stay connected during long deployments.

Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland, commanding general of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, spoke words of gratitude to those who helped make the event possible.

“From Iraq and Afghanistan, to the Philippines and all around the world, Army Special Operations are there,” Mulholland said. “All of them have to leave their loved ones behind [when they deploy], so this recognition of some of our great families is very much appreciated by all of us in the command.”

For each Soldier present, when they deploy they leave a spouse behind to carry twice the load. Staff Sgt. Vilakone Manivong from Group Support Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), said he hopes the computers will relieve some of the stress his family feels while he is deployed.

“She [Manivong’s wife] has all of this responsibility while I’m away,” Manivong said.

He said he hopes being able to see each other, even on a computer screen, will help take some of the pressure and stress off of her and their children.

As lines formed to receive the computers, some of those involved with the planning of the event expressed their appreciation for the service to the nation Army Special Operations Soldiers and their families provide.

“You get judged by the company you keep, so being connected to the military and Special Operations brings us great honor,” said Mitch Paull, senior vice president of merchandising and logistics for Aaron’s, Inc. “Thank you for you and your families’ tremendous service and the sacrifices you make. It’s our honor to serve you.”

GRENADA, Miss. (USASOC News Service, Aug. 11, 2010) – Faced with a long recovery and the reality that he might never run, surf or return to his Special Forces team, Army Staff Sgt. Andre Murnane made the decision last year to have his right leg amputated below the knee after it was shattered by a roadside bomb that detonated in eastern Afghanistan.

“My dreams and ambitions didn’t end that day. It simply started a new chapter,” the Maryland National Guard soldier said.

And a new breakthrough.

Murnane, 28, of Salisbury, Md., entered Green Beret lore this month when he became the first Army National Guard Special Forces soldier with a prosthetic leg to jump out of an aircraft. Army doctors cleared him to jump in June.

While several Special Forces soldiers with prosthetics have completed airborne operations, Murnane is the first National Guardsman to do so.

Murnane admitted he felt nervous about making the historic jump that took place here on  Aug. 1. He was a bit worried about the prosthetic leg shifting from the opening shock of the parachute and how it would hold up when he landed.

“It held just fine with new prosthetic technology and some good old-fashioned duct tape,” he said. “Once I was under canopy, my thoughts shifted to the two runways that were on the drop zone. I barely cleared one of them by 15 or 20 meters. Just before landing, I wondered what it was going to feel like, but I just kept telling myself, ‘Feet and knees together, and relax’.”

In October, the communications sergeant from Bravo Company of 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, was on a combat operation on a mountain when a pressure-plate bomb detonated while his team was clearing an area after being ambushed.

Murnane was evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he underwent several surgeries to repair his right foot and ankle. It was there where he realized the surgeries would never completely restore his leg. He has taken it all in stride, though.

“Life is a journey, and the journey is the destination,” he said. “You have to accept change in your life and continue to live it like you did before. It takes some extra work, but if you train hard and stay motivated, you can do anything you want to.”

Two U.S. Army Rangers were killed  Aug. 8 during combat operations while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Rangers were assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

Sgt. Andrew Cote Nicol

Sgt. Andrew Cote Nicol, 23, a native of Kensington, N.H., and Spc. Bradley David Rappuhn, 24, a native of Grand Ledge, Mich., were seriously wounded in Kandahar Province, by an enemy improvised explosive device.

Both Rangers were treated immediately by unit medical personnel and were quickly evacuated to the nearest treatment facility where they later died of their wounds.

Nicol enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 2006.  For more than three years, he served as a rifleman and most recently as a team leader in 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt. Nicol is survived by his parents Roland and Patricia Nicol also of Kensington.

Spc. Bradley David Rappuhn

Rappuhn enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 2009. For almost a year, he served as an anti-armor specialist in 3rd Bn., 75th Rgr. Regt. Rappuhn is survived by father Cary Rappuhn of Potterville, Mich., and his mother Roxanne Rappuhn and his brother Brent Rappuhn, both of Grand Ledge.

“Sgt. Nicol and PFC Rappuhn were involved in fighting one of the most heavily defended areas in Afghanistan.  Their actions resulted in the destruction of a complex bunker system that included heavy machine guns, mortar systems and the death of seven Taliban,” said Col. Michael E. Kurilla, commander of the 75th Ranger Regt. “They are heroes to the Nation, the Army and their families.”

Nicol was on his fifth combat deployment. He previously deployed twice to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq. This was Rappuhn’s first deployment.

“Sgt. Nicol and PFC Rappuhn embodied what it meant to be Rangers,” said Lt. Col. Mark O’Donnell, 3rd Bn. commander. “Selfless, dedicated, and professional, their impact across the battalion was profound.  Their service and friendship will be sorely missed.”

Click here for Nicol’s bio.
Click here for Rappuhn’s bio.

WordPress Tags: Army, Rangers, Fort Bragg, BRAGG, USASOC, Afghanistan, Freedom, Battalion, Andrew, Cote, Nicol, Kensington, Bradley, David, Rappuhn, Grand, Ledge, Mich, Kandahar, Province, enemy, IED, unit, personnel, treatment, team, leader, armor, areas, destruction, bunker, machine, guns, mortar, death, Taliban, Michael, Kurilla, commander, heroes, families, deployment, Iraq, Mark, Donnell, impact, friendship

Great lines of humor below, some bordering on slightly dangerous for guys in the presence of an angry woman. Just a warning. :)

10. You can trade an old 44 for a new 22.

9. You can keep one Rifle at home and have another for when you’re on the road.

8. If you admire a friend’s Rifle and tell him so, he will probably let you try it out a few times.

7. Your primary Rifle doesn’t mind if you keep another Rifle for a backup.

6. Your Rifle will stay with you even if you run out of ammo.

5. A Rifle doesn’t take up a lot of closet space.

4. Rifles function normally every day of the month.

3. A Rifle doesn’t ask, “Do these new grips make me look fat?”

2. A Rifle doesn’t mind if you go to sleep after you use it.

And the number one reason a Rifle is favored over a woman:

1. YOU CAN BUY A SILENCER FOR A RIFLE

Hat tip: Stan Marks

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service) — Sixty years after its creation, the surviving members of the 1st Raider Company will dedicate a stone at the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Memorial Plaza at Fort Bragg, N.C., at 10 a.m., July 14, forever memorializing the unit’s service during the Korean War.

From the Headquarters of the Army of Occupation in Japan, Gen. Douglas A. MacArthur approved the creation of the volunteer organization designated as the 1st Raider Co., on July 15, 1950.

Comprised of Soldiers serving occupation duty in Japan, their mission was to conduct raids, commando and intelligence operations against Communist forces.

A call for volunteers went out to the Headquarters and Service Group, GHQ, and was answered by 800 volunteers, of which only 100 GHQ Raiders were selected and trained at Camp McGill, Japan.

Specializing in conducting small boat infiltrations from surface ships and submarines, acting as scout swimmers, performing beach reconnaissance and demolitions, their skills resulted in their selection to conduct the last major feint to distract the North Koreans from the Inchon invasion site.

The Raiders launched in rubber boats from the British Royal Navy frigate HMS Whitesands Bay and landed on four separate beach sites 100 miles south of Inchon at Kunsan Bay on Sept. 13, 1950.

Their success during the operation resulted in their assignment to Maj. Gen. Edward “Ned” Almond’s U.S. Tenth Corps, or X Corps.

Known as the “X Corps Special Operations Company,” the Raiders went on to participate in the amphibious invasions at Inchon and Wonsan, anti-guerilla activities against Communist aggressors at the Chosin Reservoir and the battle of Chang-to.

Integrating the other U.S. services as well as the Republic of Korea Army, South Korean intelligence agents and the X Corps Special Activities Group’s Special Attack Battalion into their combat actions, these joint and combined operations typified the Raiders’ employment.

Inactivated on April 1, 1951, the Raiders more than proved their mettle.  Each member of the Raiders was individually awarded the Combat Infantry Badge.

As a unit they received the Presidential Unit Citation for their actions as part of the Inchon invasion force when they were attached to the 1st Marine Division.

Marking their 60th anniversary with a stone in USASOC’s Memorial Plaza forever pays tribute to the unit, its Soldiers and the three Raiders killed in the raid at Kunsan Bay: 1st Lt. James W. Clance, Cpl. John W. Maines and Cpl. Raymond E. Puttin.