MWR Week of the Eagles 2014 Program Guide Editors: CynDe Clack & Tara Goodson Fort Campbell’s Week of the Eagles Magazine is an event magazine produced by the Fort Campbell MWR Marketing Department under the authority of AR 215-1. Facilities and activities publicized are open to authorized patrons. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. The mention or appearance of commercial advertisers, commercial sponsors and/or their logos does not constitute endorsement by the Federal Government. The information in this issue is current at the time of publication;activities and events are subject to change. MWR Marketing is located at 5663 Screaming Eagle Blvd, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. .
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MILES stands for Military Installment Loans and Educational Services. The MILES Program markets Auto Retail Installment Sales Contracts for a third party finance company and GAP and VSC contracts. No Department of Defense or Federal Government Endorsement Implied. MILES is currently only available to active-duty military. Financing is subject to approval. MILES® and the MILES Logo are service marks of Dollar Financial Group, Inc. or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved. C0245-0414 ©2014 DFS
MAJOR GENERAL James C. McConville COMMANDING GENERAL 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell
MG James C. McConville of Quincy, Massachusetts, graduated from the United States Military Academy and was commissioned as an infantry officer in the Regular Army in 1981. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the United States Military Academy, a Master of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, and was a 2002 National Security Fellow at Harvard University. MG McConville’s command assignments include command of an Aero-Rifle Platoon in D Troop, 2-10 CAV from 1984 to 1985 and C Troop, 2-9 CAV from 1986 to 1987 in the 7th Infantry Division (Light) at Fort Ord, CA; command of 2-17 CAV from 1998 to 2000 in the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) at Fort Campbell, KY; and command of 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, TX from 2002-2005. MG McConville commanded the 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry in Iraq from 2004 to 2005 during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. He served as the Deputy Commanding General (Support) for the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT)/ CJTF-101/ Regional Command East in Afghanistan during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM from 2008 to 2009. Most recently, he served as Commanding General for the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT)/ CJTF-101/ Regional Command East in Afghanistan during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM from 2013 to 2014. MG McConville’s key staff assignments include S-3 for Flight Concepts Division, S-3 for 5th Squadron, 9th Cavalry, S-3 for the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, J5 Strategic Planner for the United States Special Operations Command, G-3 for the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT), Executive Officer to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, and Deputy Chief and Chief of the Office of Legislative Liaison. MG McConville is a Master Army Aviator qualified in the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior, the AH-64D Longbow Apache, the AH-6, AH-1 Cobra and other aircraft. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Bronze Star (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Air Medals (with numeral device “2”), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Combat Action Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, and others.
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Command Sergeant Major Alonzo J. Smith COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Fort Campbell, Kentucky
In June 2012, Alonzo J. Smith was assigned as the Division Command Sergeant Major, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Command Sergeant Major Smith entered the Army in August 1984 and graduated One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia as an Infantryman. During his 29 years of service, Command Sergeant Major Smith has held numerous leadership positions to include: Squad Leader, Section Leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, Battalion and Brigade Command Sergeant Major. His previous assignments with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) include serving as the Operations Sergeant Major for 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Battalion Command Sergeant Major for 1st Battalion 502nd Infantry Regiment and Brigade Command Sergeant Major for 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). His previous assignments include 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas; 2nd Infantry Division, Korea; 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York; 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In addition, Command Sergeant Major Smith has served at Fort Benning as a Drill Sergeant and Airborne Instructor, as well as serving as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major for the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). Command Sergeant Major Smith has been deployed to Guam, Wake Island, Haiti, Albania, Macedonia, and Kosovo. He has also participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom I as a First Sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division, Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07 as an Operations Sergeant Major with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09 as a Battalion Command Sergeant Major with the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), and Operation Enduring Freedom 10-11 as a Brigade Command Sergeant Major with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Most recently, he served as Division Command Sergeant Major for the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT)/ CJTF-101/ Regional Command East in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom from 2013 to 2014. Command Sergeant Major Smith’s training deployments include Germany, Australia, Thailand, Japan, Panama, four National Training Center (NTC) rotations and seven Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) rotations. Command Sergeant Major Smith is a graduate of the Keystone Course, The Army Force Management Course, and all of the NCOES courses, to include the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, First Sergeant Course, Master Fitness Trainer, Jumpmaster, Pathfinder, Master Gunner, Drill Sergeant, Airborne, and Air Assault School. His military awards and decorations include the Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, and various deployment and campaign ribbons.
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Major General J.H. Cushman hosted Fort Campbell’s first “Week of the Eagles” May 21-25, 1973; one year after the 101st was officially welcomed back from Vietnam. The week was touted as a celebration of the Division’s combat readiness and was held in the same time period as Armed Forces and Memorial Days. The week also featured both a Kentucky Day of the Eagles and a Tennessee Day of the Eagles. Kentucky Governor Wendell Ford and Tennessee Governor Winfield Dunn both visited Fort Campbell to mark the occasions. In addition to displays and tours of the post, there were a number of activities held during the initial Week of the Eagles. Individual reviews were held to honor both states that border Fort Campbell along with a Vulcan squad, 106 recoilless rifles, squad field firing, and other military skills competitions that pitted units and Soldiers against each other. The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) also dedicated Gardner Hills in the memory of 1st Lieutenant James A. Gardner, a platoon leader with 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, who was killed in Vietnam in 1967. He was later posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. An “Old-Timers” Day was also part of the first Week of the Eagles, to allow former 101st Soldiers to revisit the “Screaming Eagles.” Capping the event was a Division Review. Lieutenant General Melvin Zais, 3rd U.S. Army Commanding General at the time, was one of the special guests in the reviewing stand as 15,000 101st Soldiers marched by.
The Screaming Eagles are one of the most deployed and recognized Divisions in the U.S. Army, with a combat record spanning from the paratroopers of World War II to the Security Force Assistance Teams deployed in Afghanistan today.
Division fought against heavy odds for 72 days. In late-November, 1944, the Division returned to France for a well-deserved rest. The rest would be a short one.To counteract the massive German offensive through the
The 101st Airborne Division was activated August 16, 1942 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. Its first Commanding General, Major General William C. Lee, noted that the Division had no history, but that it had a “rendezvous with destiny” and that the new Division would be habitually called into action when the need was ‘immediate and extreme". Throughout its 70-year history, the Division has amassed a proud record, in both war and peace, unmatched by any other unit. Following its activation and initial training in the United States, the Division embarked for the European Theater of Operations in September, 1943 where it continuing its training in England. During the early morning hours of June 6th, 1944, the Screaming Eagles parachuted into the Contentin Peninsula becoming the first Allied Soldiers to set foot onto occupied France. The 101st Airborne Division, charged with clearing the way for the 4th Infantry Division's landing on Utah Beach, eventually linked the Utah and Omaha beachheads and liberated the city of Carentan. After a month of fighting, the Division returned to England to prepare for future operations. On Sept. 17, 1944, the Division jumped into The Netherlands spearheading Operation Market Garden. Holding a narrow 16-mile corridor through enemy-held territory, the
In September 1957, elements of the 101st Airborne Division were ordered to Little Rock, Arkansas by President Eisenhower. As part of Operation Arkansas, the 1st Airborne Battle Group, 327th Infantry escorted the first nine African-American students--the “Little Rock Nine”--as they attended classes at Little Rock Central High School. Successful, the Bastogne Bulldogs returned to Fort Campbell in late-1957. Ardennes Forest in mid-December 1944, the 101st Airborne Division was unexpectedly recalled to the front. Responsible for defending the critical road junction at Bastogne, Belgium, the 101st Airborne Division was surrounded by strong enemy forces that demanded its immediate surrender. Responding to the German ultimatum, Brigadier Anthony C. McAuliffe made history with his famous one-word reply...“Nuts!” Although the siege of Bastogne was broken on December 26th, 1944, intense fighting continued until mid-January, 1945 as Allied units reduces Nazi gains in the Ardennes salient. Attacking the heart of Germany through the Ruhr valley, the 101st Airborne Division pursued retreating German forces into Bavaria. In spring 1945, the Screaming Eagles liberated the Landsberg concentration camp and Hitler’s mountaintop retreat in Bertchtesgaden. The end of World War II in Europe relegated the 101st Airborne to occupation duties in Germany, Austria, and France. The Division was inactivated on November 30th, 1945. The immediate post-war period marked an intermittent existence for the Screaming Eagles. The period is marked by several
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
reactivations and inactivations at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Official reactivation ceremonies, held on September 21, 1956, marked the 101st Airborne Division’s return to active duty as the Army's first nuclear capable, Pentomic Division and its debut at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
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On July 29th, 1965, the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam earning the nick-name of “The Nomads of Vietnam”. The remainder of the Division remained at Fort Campbell until ordered to Vietnam in late-1967. During the enemy's ill-fated Tet Offensive in 1968, the Screaming Eagles were involved in combat operations from Saigon to Quang Tri Province. In August 1968, the Screaming Eagles shed their parachutes in favor of helicopter-borne operations earning a new designation---the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). After the Tet Offensive, the Division settled into Thua
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
Thien Province and continued offensive operations there until redeployed to the United States in early-1972. The post Vietnam period was a time of change for the Army and the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). In February-1974, then-Major General Sidney Berry signed Division General Order 179 authorizing wear of the new Airmobile (late Air Assault) qualification badge. Reflecting a shift in structure and orientation, the Division was re-designated as the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) on October 4th, 1974. In March 1982, elements of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) began six-month deployments to the Sinai Peninsula as members of the Multinational Force of Observers. Tragedy struck in December 1985, when 248 Screaming Eagles redeploying from the Sinai were killed in a charter airplane crash near Gander, Newfoundland.
In the wake of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, elements of the Division quickly deployed to protect susceptible facilities in the United States from potential attack. Almost immediately, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team deployed to Afghanistan in November, 2001. In March 2002, the Rakkasans were, in part, responsible for offensive operations in the Shoh-I-Khot Valley that dealt a crippling early blow to the Taliban and al-Qaeda. After a challenging six-month deployment, 3rd Brigade redeployed to the United States. In February and March 2003, the Division deployed to Kuwait in anticipation of combat operations against Saddam Hussein's regime. In a grueling air and ground movement of 570 kilometers through hostile territory and intense combat in urban areas, the Division exhibited its flexibility, lethality and firepower at every turn. Fighting its way from Najaf, through Karbala and Hillah, the Division eventually consolidated in Southern Baghdad in mid-April, 2003. Ordered to Northern Iraq shortly thereafter, the Division conducted the longest air assault in history and quickly assumed responsibility for Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, and the four surrounding provinces. In the months that followed, the Division concentrated on the goals of re-establishing security, the restoration of basic services, and reconstruction of civilian infrastructure. During this period, the Screaming Eagles underwrote the completion of 5,000
In August 1990, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) deployed to the Middle East in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During the Liberation of Kuwait, the Division fired the first shots of the air war, and conducted the longest and largest air assault operations to date, securing Iraqi territory in the Euphrates River Valley. With announcement of the Safwan cease-fire in February, 1991, the 101st began redeployment preparations. By May 1991, the Screaming eagles were home. The 1990s was a busy time for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) seeing numerous deployments in support of stability and support operations world-wide. Fort Campbell-based units were deployed to Somalia, Haiti, the Sinai Peninsula, Central and South America, Bosnia, and Kosovo.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
reconstruction projects, killed Uday and Qusay Hussein, and captured over 500 anti-Coalition insurgents. The Division redeployed to Fort Campbell in early-2004. During the year that followed, the
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101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) fully recovered and completely reorganized under the new Army Transformation Organizational structure in anticipation of its second deployment to Iraq. In November 2005, the Division Headquarters, the 1st and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams, and the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade deployed to Iraq for a second time. As Task Force Band of Brothers, the Division assumed responsibility for the northern half of Iraq; the largest area of operation in the country. Partnered with four Iraqi Army divisions, the Screaming Eagles focused their efforts on developing credible Iraqi Security Force units that were capable of independent counter-insurgency operations. This monumental effort resulted in vastly improved security and the transfer of several areas to Iraqi control prior to the Division’s redeployment in October, 2006. Under the new modular structure, 2nd and 4th Brigade Combat Teams and the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade were attached to other Multinational Division or Multinational Force commands elsewhere in Iraq. Fort Campbell entered the final phases of the Army's historic modular transformation in late 2006. In this phase, the XVIII Airborne Corps shed its peacetime command responsibilities for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) -- a relationship that began prior to the 1944 invasion of Holland, and the Division became a direct reporting unit to Forces Command. Additional command and control changes saw Fort Lee, Virginia’s 49th Quartermaster Group join the Fort Campbell family. Late-2007 saw the majority of the Division deployed again. The Division’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams and elements of the Sustainment Brigade deployed independently to Iraq where each served under the command of different Multinational Divisions then conducting combat operations throughout Iraq. Soldiers of the 49th Quartermaster deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan to support combat and combat support operations. The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade deployed to Afghanistan and was eventually relieved by the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade. continued on next page
In March 2008, the Headquarters (and Special Troops Battalion) 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) joined the 4th Brigade Combat Team and the 101st Sustainment Brigade in Afghanistan in support of Operation enduring Freedom. As Combined Joint Task Force 101 (CJTF-101), the Division Headquarters was supported by many attached Coalition units and was responsible for an area of operation the size of Pennsylvania designated as Regional Command-East. Composed of 14 provinces, including much of the volatile border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as the Hindu Kush and Afghan Control Highlands, Regional Command-East were posed unique and difficult set of challenges unlike anything previously experienced. The Soldiers of CJTF-101 thrived in their role as both Soldier/diplomats and warriors. CJTF-101 helped restore the Afghan people's confidence and trust in their government, while improving their quality of life through more than 2500 innovative development projects. As warriors, CJTF-101 aggressively trained Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and, side-by-side, relentlessly pursued insurgent groups wherever they could be found.
During the summer and fall of 2012, elements of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams, as well as the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, again deployed to Afghanistan. In early 2013, the 101st Div. HQ, 101st Sus. Bde., and 4th Brigade Combat Team deployed to Afghanistan. The 101st Div. HQ commands RC-East for the third time in five years. Later in 2013, elements of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Brigade Combat Team, and the 101st CAB, return home to Fort Campbell. In early 2014, the 101st Div. HQ, 101st Sus. Bde., and the remaining elements of 4th BCT return home from deployment to Afghanistan. Elements of 2nd BCT and 159th CAB deploy to Afghanistan. The Division's efforts in Afghanistan resulted in successful and decisive operations at every level producing a significantly improved Afghan National Security Force committed to the defense of their country. Similarly, Screaming Eagles in Iraq measurably improved the quality of life of the Iraqi people and their trust in the Iraqi Army. Every Screaming Eagle should be proud of their efforts to assist Afghanistan and Iraq to
resume their rightful place among the peaceful community of nations. We can now add Kandahar, Bagram, Baghdad and Tikrit to the list of places where the 101st has left its mark. As we honor our past, however, we must also look to the future. There are still threats to our country and the 101st will undoubtedly be called upon again. Our Army is the strength of the Nation. Our Soldiers are the strength of our Army. Our families are the strength of our Soldiers. And our communities are the strength of our families. The American people trust us to secure their future and when the Nation calls, we will be ready --- and wherever we go --- we will succeed, we will win! Our Soldiers and units are highly trained, disciplined and fit -- ready to deploy together, fight together and win together.
Want to know more about Fort Campbell history? Visit the Don F. Pratt Memorial Museum.
Throughout 2010, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Brigade Combat Teams, 101st Sus. Bde., 159th and 101st Combat Aviation Brigade deploy to Afghanistan at different times throughout the year. The 101st Div. HQ commands RC-East for the second time as the entire Division is deployed in the same theater of operations. On May 2, 2011, Special Forces Soldiers and Navy Seals killed Osama Bin Laden, founder of al-Qaeda and responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Shortly after Bin Laden's death, President Barack Obama visited Fort Campbell to thank 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Soldiers and Soldiers in the Division.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
Building 5702, Tennessee Avenue Mon - Sat 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday, May 16, 2014 6:30 a.m. 8 a.m. 3 p.m.
Division Run, Division Headquarters Welcome Center, Tax Center Concert Venue Opens, Division Parade Field
Saturday, May 17, 2014 8 a.m. 8 a.m. 11 a.m. 11 a.m. 11 a.m. 5 p.m.
Welcome Center, Tax Center Legacy Golf Tournament, Cole Park Golf Course Units Open House and Lunch Spectacular Saturday Community Fair, Division Parade Field Car Show, Division Parade Field Rendezvous BBQ, Sabalauski Air Assault School (ticketed event)
Sunday, May 18, 2014 8 a.m. 9 a.m. 9 a.m.
Welcome Center, Tax Center Combatives Weigh-in, Freedom Fighters PFC Memorial Ceremony, McAuliffe Hall, Division Headquarters
Monday, May 19, 2014 6:30 a.m. 8 a.m. 9 a.m. 9 a.m. 9 a.m. 9 a.m. 9 a.m. 3 p.m. 4 p.m.
WOE 10K/5K Races, Division Parade Field Welcome Center, Tax Center Combatives (1st Round), Freedom Fighters PFC Basketball Tournament (1st Round), New PFC, Bldg 7979 Softball Tournament (1st Round), North Sports Complex Soccer Tournament (1st Round), Fryar Stadium Volleyball Tournament (1st Round), New PFC, Bldg 7979 Air Force Reserve Presents 2014 UFCFit™ Tour, Freedom Fighters PFC UFCFit™ Meet & Greet, Freedom Fighters PFC
Week o ft Events he Eagles on pag Map e 25 Spect Saturdaacular y on pag Map e 17
Tuesday, May 20, 2014 3 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 3
a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. p.m.
Best AASLT Soldier Competition, Sabalauski Air Assault School Welcome Center, Tax Center Combatives (Finals), Freedom Fighters PFC Basketball Tournament (Semi-Finals), New PFC, Bldg 7979 Softball Tournament (Semi-Finals), North Sports Complex Soccer Tournament (Semi-Finals), Fryar Stadium Volleyball Tournament (Semi-Finals), New PFC, Bldg 7979 Marksmanship Competition, Ranges in the vicinity of Market Garden CDRs vs. CSMs Softball Game, North Sports Complex
Wednesday, May 21, 2014 8 1 1 3 3
a.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.
Welcome Center, Tax Center Basketball Tournament (Finals), New PFC, Bldg 7979 Softball Tournament (Finals), North Sports Complex Soccer Tournament (Finals), Fryar Stadium Volleyball Tournament (Finals), New PFC, Bldg 7979
Thursday, May 22, 2014 8 a.m. 10a.m. 10:30 a.m. 4 p.m.
Welcome Center, Tax Center Division Review, Division Parade Field DIV CG Presents Awards, Division Parade Field Honor Eagle Ceremony, McAuliffe Hall, Division Headquarters
All events are subject to change without notice. For more information visit www.fortcampbellmwr.com/woe , www.facebook.com/101st or call 270.798.7535
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Soldiers will compete in events throughout the week for the coveted Commander’s Cup, which are open to the public as spectators: • • • • • • • • •
Marksmanship Competition Best Air Assault Soldier Competition Combatives Basketball Softball Soccer Volleyball 10K/5K Run Legacy Golf Tournament
Soldiers, Families, Retirees and Civilians are invited to participate in community based events:
The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell will celebrate the 2014 Week of the Eagles May 16 to 22. This year’s Week of the Eagles will commence the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the 101st Airborne Division’s deployment to Vietnam. In keeping with tradition, activities will take place in May. In 1973, then Major General John Cushman, started the first Week of the Eagles in an effort to invigorate the local community and celebrate the Division’s combat readiness.
• Spectacular Saturday • Car Show • Community Fair • Memorial Ceremony, Division Review and Awards Ceremony • Unit Open Houses • Concert The Rendezvous BBQ is planned for Saturday, May 17 at 5 p.m. and is open to Fort Campbell Soldiers and invited guests only by ticket. A Week of the Eagles Welcome Center will be open and staffed for visitors near Gate 4 at the Fort Campbell Tax Center. There will be various displays from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) units and organizations and Week of the Eagles program guides. The Welcome Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
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As Big & Rich, John Rich and Big Kenny Alphin have exerted a definite “gravitational pull” to the direction modern country music has taken. Their much anticipated new project, “Gravity” provides a stellar example of the genius of their creative brotherhood–the result of two unique musical personalities colliding to form an even greater positive sum total.
“I listen to a lot of music and I haven’t heard any two voices go together like this,” says Kenny. “John and I can match each other anywhere. He can sing anything and I can make an entirely different melody around it, and vice versa.”
From the vantage point of today’s career success, John notes: “When Kenny and I were first considering doing music together some 15 years ago, I can recall like it was yesterday him saying, ‘Man, we are like two individual planets–wouldn’t it be awesome to collide and smash the universe together,” he recalls. “We definitely felt that creative gravitational pull from the beginning and I think it continues to translate into the music.” They are America's Technicolor cowboys, brothers-in-arms in service to the creed that great music has no boundaries. Individually, John and Big Kenny are first-rate musicians, songwriters, producers, entertainers–and now the creative force behind their own label imprint, Big & Rich Records. Together, they are one of the most truly original musical forces ever unleashed on a welcoming world. The new label is fueling even more passion to produce and present their music. “We now have the freedom to write songs, call our own shots and put every ounce of our guts, soul and DNA into music that we have complete creative control over–from creation to release schedule,” notes Kenny. “We can bring the best gunslingers to the shoot out and know everyone is 100% committed to our success. From making the music to getting it out there to our audience, it’s a great place to be. As John says–we’re like wild horses that don’t do good in a stall–we’d rather be running the wild range.” As witnessed too by their new single, “Look At You,” their influence on their musical universe shows no signs of being eclipsed. “The unusual twist of this lyric really makes the song stand-out, notes John. “It’s a Shannon Lawson co-write that dead-on nails the gut wrenching feeling of being that guy that loses the hot chick–something I think a lot of us guys can relate to.” Big & Rich have, of course, made a career of being relatable and musically relevant since exploding into the public consciousness in 2003 as the rarest of breeds–true country music game changers. With 2004’s triple-platinum Horse of a Different Color, they were able to tap into the best strands of a wide spectrum of popular music, filter them through their pens and voices and produce a sound that is instantly recognizable, if not classifiable. “You still can't really define what that sound is,” says John. “Even we can't.” It begins, of course, with that one-of-a-kind vocal blend, as unique and compelling as any in the history of the popular airwaves.
If radio didn’t fully know what to make of them at first, fans of every musical stripe did. They packed arenas with a flying circus of sight, sound and spectacle, a touring renaissance fair of the mind, complete with raised glasses and danceable beats. With a much anticipated new studio album that finds them at the top of their creative game, their live performances find them at their hell-raising best, with crowds as intense and appreciative as any they've ever faced. “It seems like when you put John and Kenny together and we become Big & Rich, it’s like Clark Kent walking into the phone booth and coming out a superman,” says John. “We can’t explain it. It’s like a chemical reaction between Kenny and me on stage, something you can feel there. It’s funny to think about but it's really true, we walk out on stage and start laying into this thing, the energy goes back and forth between us and the crowd and it's palpable.” They are, in addition to everything musical, noted philanthropists and good-will ambassadors. Both remain committed and enthusiastic livers of life and givers of time, talent and fortune to great causes. Kenny has become a world traveler, fighting poverty and supporting education through agencies including the United Nations Foundation and the Red Cross from North America to Africa. John takes part in any number of charitable outreaches, and his win on The Celebrity Apprentice brought well over a million dollars to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Those things go to the core of two men whose music and worldviews intersect seamlessly. “We continue to try to inspire,” says Kenny. “We just try to be ourselves in a world that sometimes insinuates you shouldn’t go outside the boundaries. And now the fact that we’ve got the family thing going on has made a tremendous difference for both of us, but we're still the same guys. I think life in general moves you forward in a positive way if you let it. Our relationship has grown more positively here than you could ever imagine. I think we just continue to grow, to respect each other more and more and respect the kind of ability we have when we're singing together.” “We both have a lot of things that we do creatively,” adds John, “but there’s been something magical about this since the beginning. As good as we are at what we do separately; neither of us is as good as Big & Rich are together. The Big & Rich thing is like a new color in the crayon box.” “No question in my mind,” says Kenny, “that we have put forward as high quality music as we can do. And we believe we just keep getting better.”
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*Talent subject to change
Mallary has opened for Darius Rucker, Sheryl Crow, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, George Jones, and Clint Black. She regularly performs on the Grand Ole Opry and is the newest country sensation to storm the country. Her southern twang and powerful songs always leave an impact on those who hear her. Her music has garnered high praise from music critics everywhere. Jon Caramanica, from The New York Times, included Mallary as part of the new
As the musical ambassador of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell, the 101st Band performs at various military and public functions. These include military ceremonies such as change of commands and Garrison social events to morale support concerts and memorial services for fallen Soldiers downrange. When time allows, the 101st Band also performs at local community events.
face of country music saying, “The next generation proposes a range of options. It includes...young women with a more traditional style, like Mallary Hope.” And CMT.com (Country Music Television) praised Hope, saying, “She has a beautifully soothing voice and uses it to its full effect on ‘Love Lives On,’ bringing all the sadness out of the song she wrote for her sister and anyone else who has a Spouse in the military.”
Beginning in August 1942, the band was established as the Band, 101st Airborne Division Artillery. From WWII through Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm the Band was awarded 19 campaign participation credits, as well as earning numerous decorations for their involvement in these wars. This multi-faceted organization has Music Performance Teams (MPT) tailored to play different musical genres. The MPTs include a Ceremonial Band, Rock Band, Jazz Combo and Brass Quintet.
Division Run Friday, May 16, 6:30 a.m. McAuliffe Hall Division Headquarters Major General James McConville, commander of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), will lead over 15,000 Soldiers in the Division Run to kick off this year’s Week of the Eagles. This impressive sight holds no comparison to anything you have seen before and promotes the Division esprit-de-corps. Spectators are urged to find a place on the run route early and cheer on the runners as Major General McConville gathers each unit when he passes their prospective headquarters. The run begins and ends at Division Headquarters; be sure to bring your camera!
Concert Friday, May 16 • Division Parade Field Concert venue opens at 3 p.m. Start an evening of great musical acts with our own 101st Airborne Division Band followed by Mallary Hope. Mallary has opened for Darius Rucker, Sheryl Crow, Jake Owen and more. We’re really going to get the Parade Field jumping when we have Big & Rich! Big & Rich will be bringing their genre’ crossing brand of country music to the stage at the Division Parade Field along with No outside food or beverages will be allowed. Please remember to leave all glass bottles and pets at home as they are not permitted on the Division Parade Field. Text “MWR” to 68683 for a chance to win VIP access to the Text Club Tent! You must be age 21 or older to win access.
Rendezvous BBQ Saturday, May 17, Social Hour at 5 p.m., Dinner at 6 p.m. • Sabalauski Air Assault School This is a ticketed event.
Legacy Golf Tournament Saturday, May 17, 8 a.m. • Cole Park Golf Course Get into the swing of things and fight for bragging rights as brigades compete in the Legacy Golf Tournament. A shotgun start at 8 in the morning kicks off this 18-hole, 4 person team scramble played using the best ball concept. There is a $100 entry fee per team ($25 per person) which includes greens fee and 2 carts per team, rental clubs will be available as well. Ten teams will be allotted for Retirees, Civilians, sponsors, and other distinguished guests. All teams are welcome, but only pure unit teams can compete for unit honors. Registration takes place at 7:00 a.m. at Cole Park Golf Course on Saturday, May 17. Top finishers earn points for the Commander’s Cup.
Units Open House and Lunch Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Car Show Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Division Parade Field Do you have a sweet ride you want to show off or are you a car enthusiast? Show off your ride at the 2014 Week of the Eagles Car Show. Preregister at www.fortcampbellmwr.com for only $10 until midnight on May 15. Registration on the day of the event will cost $20. Admission is free for spectators and trophies will be awarded for each of the six categories, best in show and the fan favorite.
Division Memorial Ceremony Sunday, May 18, 9 a.m. • McAuliffe Hall, Division Headquarters As we celebrate the Week of the Eagles, we must not forget those who have gone before and made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom. As the end of the day approaches, the Division will honor the fallen in a memorial in front of McAuliffe Hall, Division Headquarters. Major General McConville, as well as a guest speaker, will make remarks after a wreath will be placed at the Division Memorial Monument. There will be a symbolic remembrance of historic Division battles as well as a ceremonial firing and the playing of “Taps.” A brief reception with refreshments will follow inside McAuliffe Hall. continued on next page
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Combatives Tournament Weigh-ins Sunday, May 18, 9 a.m. • Freedom Fighters PFC Tournament Monday, May 19, 9 a.m. • Freedom Fighters PFC Finals Tuesday, May 20, 9 a.m. • Freedom Fighters PFC Cheer on your brigade while you take in the thrilling spectacle of Modern Army Combatives. What is combatives? Combatives is a form of hand to hand combat which combines Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Muay Thai, SOMBO and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is a style of wrestling with submission holds such as armbars, chokes and leg locks. Competitors will fight in eight weight classes with a modified double elimination tournament format. Each brigade and separate battalion sized element located on Fort Campbell will be represented by no more than a 16 Soldier team - two fighters per weight class. The final match will use intermediate rules. Soldiers will earn points for the coveted Commander’s Cup, so come out and cheer on your brigade!
10K/5K Race Monday, May 19, 6:30 a.m. • Division Parade Field Celebrate the Week of the Eagles and get some exercise as you race to the finish line in the 10K/5K Race. The run starts at 6:30 a.m. Soldiers teams that are running for Commander’s Cup points will be chip timed. Soldiers are welcome to participate if they want to use it as an Eagle Challenge Fitness Tour alternate event but they will not be timed. To receive ECFT credit Soldiers must email ecft@fortcambpellmwr.com after the run.
Eagle Softball Tournament Monday, May 19 - Wednesday, May 21, 9 a.m. • North Sports Complex Every team is the home team as Fort Campbell’s brigades swing their bats and compete for bragging rights in the Week of the Eagles Softball Tournament. This is a single elimination tournament and first round play begins Monday, May 19 at 9 a.m. Winners from this round will compete in the semi-finals starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20. The finals will be played at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21 with the awards ceremony to follow.
Eagle Soccer Tournament Monday, May 19 - Wednesday, May 21, 9 a.m. on Mon and Tue, 3 p.m. on Wed • Fryar Stadium Sixteen teams will compete during the single elimination tournament at Fryar Stadium beginning Monday, May 10 at 9 a.m. Winners from this round will compete in the semi-finals starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20. The finals will be played at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21 with the awards ceremony to follow. Two games will be played simultaneously on the field for double the excitement. Be sure to cheer load for your team as they race to the Commander’s Cup.
Eagle Basketball Tournament Monday, May 19 - Wednesday, May 21, 9 a.m. on Mon and Tue, 1 p.m. on Wed • New PFC, Bldg 7979 Whether you are a fan of professional basketball or just like to shoot hoops in the driveway, the Week of the Eagles Basketball Tournament will be fun for everyone. Come out and cheer as you watch brigade teams battle it out and shoot for three. The single elimination tournament starts Monday, May 19 at 9 a.m. with the winners from round one playing in the semi-finals starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20. The finals will be played at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21 with the awards ceremony to follow. Don’t miss out on the courtside action! Brigade teams play for Commander Cup points, so come out to cheer on your unit!
Eagle Volleyball Tournament Monday, May 19 - Wednesday, May 21, 9 a.m. on Mon and Tue, 3 p.m. on Wed • New PFC, Bldg 7979 The Week of the Eagles Volleyball Tournament will be fun for everyone. Come out and cheer as you watch brigade teams battle it out. The single elimination tournament starts Monday, May 19 at 9 a.m. with the winners from round one playing in the semi-finals starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20. The finals will be played at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21 with the awards ceremony to follow. Don’t miss out on the courtside action! Brigade teams play for Commander Cup points, so come out to cheer on your unit!
Air Force Reserve Presents 2014 UFCFit™ Tour Monday, May 19, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Meet and Greet from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. • Freedom Fighters PFC Join UFCFit™ Coach, Mike Dolce and Former UFC Middleweight Champion, Rich Franklin for a Fitness Workshop from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. UFCFit™ is a program designed to quickly develop your strength, conditioning and flexibility; all while burning loads of fat. This is all done through UFC’s 4-step training system called, “Full-Body Intensity Training.” The workshop will be followed by a meet and greet from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
CDR vs. CSM Softball Game Tuesday, May 20, 3 p.m. • North Softball Complex The Commanders vs. Command Sergeants Major softball game - for bragging rights, will be an exciting afternoon of fun for the entire Family. Come out and enjoy America’s game and cheer your team on to victory!
Marksmanship Competition Tuesday, May 20, 9 a.m. • Range 4, 9, 10, 17 and 26 It takes ultimate concentration and focus to be a marksman and make that crucial shot on the run if necessary. The Marksmanship Competition focuses the limelight on those individuals who have taken this duty to the highest level. Teams will check in at the range prior to the competition beginning at 9 a.m. with the 3 Gun Stress Shoot Lane followed by the Squad Battle Position Lane, M240 Stress Shoot Lane, and Sniper Lane.
Best Air Assault Soldier Competition Tuesday, May 20, 3 a.m. Sabalauski Air Assault School To be called the best Air Assault Soldier takes a lot of strength, hard work, and dedication to training. The Soldiers who will be competing for this title will be put through the paces as they compete for the ultimate bragging rights. The competition starts at 3 a.m. with a 12 mile foot march, followed by an equipment inspection, obstacle course, written test, rappelling, sling load testing, MEDEVAC, and FRIES from UH-60. Best doesn’t just mean muscle; there must be brains to back up the brawn. An awards ceremony will be held during the Division Review to name Fort Campbell’s Best Air Assault Solder for the 2014 Week of the Eagles.
Division Review Thursday, May 22, 10 a.m. • Division Parade Field The 2014 Week of the eagles will conclude with the Division Review at the Division Parade Field. Soldiers, Family, Civilians and Retirees are invited to attend this spectacular sight in which every unit is represented by Soldiers and their colors in formation and will pass and review a distinguished Screaming Eagle Veteran. The Commander’s Cup will be presented to the unit with the most points and the Soldier of the Year and NCO of the Year will also be recognized. You will be able to see 101st Soldiers in period uniforms representing the 101st from WWII to the current era escorting out honored Veterans. Fort Campbell may have started their Rendezvous with Destiny 72 years ago, but the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) will always live up to the legacy of a History of Valor.
Honor Eagle Ceremony Thursday, May 22, 4 p.m. • McAuliffe Hall, Division Headquarters Join us as we honor Brigadier General Andrew P. Poppas, Deputy Commanding General (Operations) and Brigadier General Ronald F. Lewis, Deputy Commanding General (Support).
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Welcome Center Cole Park Golf Course Sabalauski Air Assault School Ranges Fryar Stadium/Perez Field Division Headquarters
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The Exchange Lozada PFC Division Parade Field North Sports Complex Freedom Fighters PFC New PFC Building 7979