10th CAB Soldiers compete in ‘Half Way’ run, reflect on deployment

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Chief Warrant officer 3 Joseph Blankenship, Company A “Smugglers,” Task Force Phoenix, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, placed third in the male division of the 10th CAB Half Way 10K Run April 30. The run marks the unit’s halfway point in their deployment. Blankenship is a native of Jonesboro, Ark. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amanda Jo Brown, Task Force Phoenix)  

PARWAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

05.05.2011

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army soldiers from the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, along with service members from other units and civilians marked the brigade’s halfway point in their deployment with a 5K and 10K run early morning, April 30.

The tempo of a deployment is a lot like completing a challenging run – an individual must stay focused throughout its entirety to be successful, said U.S. Army Col. Pedro Almeida, commander of 10th CAB, 10th Mountain Division, Task Force Falcon, and a native of New Bedford, Mass.

“We are half way done,” said Almeida, “Time is going quickly, but we have a long way to go. Stay focused until we hit the finish line.”

With the first half of the deployment completed, Phoenix soldiers prepare to begin an even higher operation tempo than they have already seen, according to U.S. Army Capt. Stephen Macumber, Company E, 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, TF Phoenix, 10th CAB, 10th Mtn. Div., TF Falcon, executive officer.

“Soldiers need to pace themselves and the buddy next to them,” said Macumber, a native of Kernersville, N.C.

He said, if not careful, the mad dash soldiers will be making toward the finish line of the deployment can just as quickly turn into a slippery slope of complacency.

“After you have been here so long you start getting complacent,” said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joseph Blankenship, an aviation safety officer with Company A “Smugglers”, Company B, 1st Bn., 171st Aviation Regt., TF Phoenix, who placed third in the 10K race. “Remember every day is a new day. When you get complacent, that is when accidents happen.”

Blankenship, of Jonesboro, Ark., said soldiers should vary their activities and do physical training to remain alert, focused and stay out of the monotonous routine Soldiers often fall into during a deployment.

Running reminds soldiers they must focus on their mission and keep their hearts in the fight, said Macumber.

“Remember, there are many who have done this before you, and there will more than likely be many to follow,” said Macumber, addressing his soldiers. “Take solace in the fact that fellow soldiers to your left and right are in a similar situation as you. Rely on these comrades-in-arms when needed, and be prepared for them to reciprocate this need. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and one day soon we will be home.”

• Date Taken: 05.05.2011
• Date Posted: 05.04.2011 16:03
• Story ID: 69846
• Location: PARWAN PROVINCE, AF