Spring 2011 MAGAZINE Vol. XXVII, No. 1 - The Society of the 173D ...

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Dear Members of the 173 rd ABCT Association:
The 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) continues to add
to our prowess as an accomplished and adaptive team, as we hone the
skills of our disciplined Paratroopers, so they are set up for success –
no matter what type of mission they find themselves being tasked
with.
We recently bid farewell to SSG Salvatore Giunta, the Army’s only
living MOH recipient from the Global War On Terror (GWOT) era, a
member of Battle Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment
(Airborne) here in Vicenza, Italy, where our headquarters are located.
Our Soldiers are working closely to pass on to Afghan and Iraqi
forces just how important Information Operations by sharing our
experiences with the Voices of Modern Islam program, an initiative
spearheaded by our S-7 section. Representatives of our team visited
Jordan for a very special briefing and there are plans for other units in the Army and Marine Corps to mirror this
program to use words, deeds and images effectively in the war on terrorism.
As a rapidly deployable force, here in Western Europe, “The Herd” has planned out an educational trip for staff
members to visit historic places, where they can use the opportunity to leverage important lessons learned from
World War II and contemplate how best to take initiative and gain tactical advantage over the enemy – relating
examples from the past and applying them in order to allow operational dominance to take place – leading from the
front, as Sky Soldiers always have done and will continue to do.
The Brigade has a joint-operations jump, working side by side with the Italians, scheduled this Spring and with the
understanding that small units within the Brigade being looked to for winning the fight, the brigade is promoting
our vision and uncommon commitment, as Paratroopers, to be about the business of being the most professional
parachutists the Army has at its disposal. We continue to build esprit de Corps and we expect positive results from
this opportunity to jump with our Italian counterparts, sharing information and methods, helping to develop each
other’s skills.
Our focus since redeploying has been getting our Soldiers lined up for the Schools and training they need to tap
their potential. We are focused on contingency preparation, but at the same time, we are multi-tasking by working
with the Polish Army, conducting team leader training, sporting events and getting our Sky Soldiers the support
and gear they need, as part of the process for re-setting our people, gear and planning in order to build a team of
teams!
We continue to arrange training and schools that range from Sniper School, in conjunction with the Germans,
visiting various locations that offer promising environments that are conducive to training, where we can help save
the government money by being creative problem-solvers at a time when budgetary belts are getting tighter all the
time. The Brigade’s Ball is just around the corner and our involvement with the local community has been
exemplary, where our troopers have demonstrated their selflessness and generosity. We are doing a far better job
of taking the time to see and be seen, recognize professional commitment and convince this unit that they remain
the best by developing pride in this team, as we realize one person can make a difference by becoming a leader.
Our year ahead will be spent giving those led a chance to lead!
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