rapidfire

NEWS YOU CAN USE

ANNUAL MEETING Don’t forget to regis- ter for MOAA’s annual meeting, which this year will be held Oct. 29-31 at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel in Orlando, Fla. Attendees can partici- pate in a slate of signa- ture events, including the Community Heroes Award Night, which recognizes caregivers of wounded warriors, and the Chapter Levels of Excellence Award Cer- emony. Register at www .moaa.org/2015annual meeting.

Spartans Drop Into Position

A

s more than 800 Spartan Bri- gade paratroopers and their heavy equipment drops envel-

oped the skies over Malamute Drop Zone on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 18 and 20, one 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division paratrooper asked an- other, “Was that the last pass? Any more and we’ll be landing on each other.” “Nope, three more passes to go,” the

other paratrooper responded. “Pick up, and move off the drop zone.” The dual mass-tactical airborne opera- tions were part of Command Post Exercise

PHOTO: SGT. 1ST CLASS JEFFREY SMITH, USA

Spartan Valkyrie, an exercise leading up to a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation. Airfield seizure was the objective dur- ing both days’ airborne missions. “This is perfect chaos,” said Army Lt. Col. Ben Luper, a battalion commander. “A paratrooper is the only soldier who arrives on the battlefield by himself. You must get on the ground, get out of your ’chute, find a buddy, and get to the plat- form. This builds the mental and physical toughness required to carry that ’chute and ruck to the assembly area, get to that howitzer, and put it into operation.” — Staff Sgt. Daniel Love, USA

ARMY TEN-MILER Join the MOAA running team as it tackles the Army Ten-Miler for the 11th time Oct. 11 in the Washington, D.C., area. Runners must have reg- istered for the race, and everyone is welcome at MOAA’s race-day tent. Learn more at www .moaa.org/running.

CRUISE WITH MOAA TO NEW ENGLAND Join your fellow MOAA members and MOAA President Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN (Ret), and his wife, Judy, on a Princess Cruise from New York City to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and back Oct. 3-10. Find out more at www.moaa.org/2015 moaasignaturecruise.

AUGUST 2015 MILITARY OFFICER 19