BANDIDO SGM CHRIS JOHNSON GOES TO WAR

The last Infantry Bandido 1SG,

here in Afghanistan.

Bandidos for Life!

BANDIDOS LEAD THE WAY!

Male and Female Bandidos,

Greetings!  As the Bandidos kickoff 2010, we do so knowing that we are leading our Iron Rangers brothers into a brand new year with brand new challenges!  We are excited and proud to provide such a service.    

The year has started off with the arrival of our M1A1 SA Main Battle Tanks.  Pride overwhelms me every time I walk through the motor pool and witness the enthusiasm of our proud Soldiers.  Their esteem is high as they perform routine maintenance checks on their 71 ton iron steeds or perform familiarization training as they brush off the cobwebs left from the Brigade’s Transition Team Mission.  I am overjoyed to share these experiences with my proud warriors!

The organization will also experience incredible change as we bid farewell to SFC(P) Joshua Wilson.  It is truly a bad news, good news, great news story.  The bad news is the departure of SFC Wilson; the good news is that he is staying on with the Iron Rangers as the Armor Master Gunner for the Battalion.  His leadership will serve the Iron Rangers well as he tackles the challenges of tank gunnery, infantry live fires and more.  The great news is that the Bandidos will always serve as a support cell for both him and his future wife Libby.

The Bandidos demonstrated their selfless service recently as three of their toughest warriors exposed a softer, heroic side.  PFC Santos, PFC Scee, and PFC Tran were praised by the Brigade for their exemplary service in supporting their local community.  PFC Tran will also serve to represent the Bandidos at the Division Volunteer Ceremony.  Please congratulate these Soldiers and praised them for their sacrifices. 

I would also like to thank the proud FRG core led by Tori Evans and Marisa Carter for all their hard work organizing such great events to include the Bandido Bowling Bash and the Bandido Holiday Party.  I would also like to thank the truly remarkable duo of Mrs. Julia Weatherford and Mrs. Kaydee Johannsen; they allowed all those events to take place by selflessly giving their time to handle the custodial burdens of managing the treasury account.  I look forward to our everlasting communion together.

I desire to also praise the one and only Iron Ranger 6 and Devil 6 for showing tremendous courage as they allowed the Bandido Family to test their mettle and determine if they were truly worthy of adding their names to our legendary rolls.  Fortunately, after lengthy, laborious, taxing deliberations, the Bandidos embraced their newest members to the fold. 

Before signing off, I would also like to thank Mr. Ken Costich and Mr. Al Herrera as they work with the legendary Bandidos to continue supporting our endeavors.  Without your leadership, our trek would prove fruitless.  Finally, I would also like to wish a former Bandido 6 the best as he departs the Iron Ranger family as the Bandido 6 (former) and Head Hunter 6 (former) and tackles new challenges in the best interest of our Armed Forces. 

The Bandidos will continue to make history as the finest fighting organization in the Army’s fighting inventory one day at a time.  Spouses and Soldiers, our FRG is looking better than ever and you continue to serve as the decisive point of this ongoing operation.  I applaud those selfless acts and encourage ongoing support.  Our training success belongs to the hard charging, dedicated, supportive wives, parents, and children of the Bandido family because you allow your husband, son, or father  to tackle the nation’s most difficult challenges everyday with an unencumbered mindset.  That mindset gives the Bandidos their edge, so thank-you on behalf of Bandidos new and old.  

Bandidos Lead the Way!

CPT JD Evans & 1SG Jeff Carter (The Finest Company Fighting team)

BANDIDO CHRIS JOHNSON

PROMOTED TO SERGEANT MAJOR

MAY 2009

Bandido Families,

The month of November brought about a nice reprieve in training for the Bandido’s.  We took time to maintain our equipment, our personal records, and conducted some refresher training on the MiTT mission.  We’ve tried to maximize our time during this slow period to spend as much time with our families as possible, while at the same time prepare for class 62.

In November we said goodbye to SGT Jamie Noe, and his wife Erin, as he ends his time in the US Army and transitions to being a college student.  We wish them the best of luck in the world as they move to Kansas City, Missouri and start their new journey in life.

SGT Noe is awarded the Army Commendation Medal

for his service in 1-16th Infantry Regiment

SSG Filliaux and SFC Patro are awarded a A/1-34 AR BN

Company Coin for the Excellence as SGA’s

I want to congratulate 2LT Palmer on his recent promotion to 1LT as he has been an invaluable part of the success the Bandido’s have had.  Also SFC Patro and SSG Filliaux were recognized with a company coin by CPT Erikson and 1SG Lange from A/1-34 Armor Battalion for their exceptional assistance during the Mounted Combat Patrol Live Fire for class 56.  CPT Erikson said this was the first time they had recognized Small Group Advisors for their assistance and that SFC Patro and SSG Filliaux were the best SGAs they had ever worked with.

I hope all of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving meals together, either away with family or at home in Kansas, and wish you the happiest of times over the holidays as we move through Christmas and into a new year.

Happy Holidays,

CPT Chaney & 1SG Jeffrey Carter

From 2LT Evan Palmer

Bandido Charlie has been busy thismonth training Class 56 to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The OCs of Charlie have done an outstanding job to provide our teams the best training possible. As of now, our eight URFs (approximately 100 Soldiers) have completed all of the events to allow them to successfully face their mission in Afghanistan.

After Class 56 graduates, thecompany will have a 30 day break to give us time to complete internal training, attend schools, and ensure we are prepared to continue the FRTM mission here at Camp Funston. Within the company, SSG Carson and SSG Nordyke will attend the US Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA in late November. The company would also like to recognize SFC Patro for his promotion to MSG earlier this month. He has done an excellent job setting the example for the NCOs within the company and also as an OC for our advisors.

SGT Noe will be doing his final PCSon 07 November out of the Army! He will be attending school as a civilian and will be sorely missed here at the company. He has been a great help to us and we wish him the best. Good Luck!

SGT Herman just became our newestmember of the Bandido Charlie family and will be working with SGT Cramer to become the full-time Company Armorer. He is attending WLC on 07 November and will attend Armorer School on 01 December. We are happy to have him aboard.

SPC Washburn PCS’d to Fort Drum, NY late October after completing WLC at Fort Benning, GA.He will be joining the 10^th Mountain Division and we wish him the best of luck and stay safe.

Last but certainly not least, wewould like to thank the Bandido families for all of their support and hard work. We couldn’t do our jobs without you!

Respectfully,

2LT Evan Palmer

ANDIDOS LEAD THE WAY!

Bandido Families,

The Bandido’s have been extremely busy over the past weeks training CL 52 and 56.  Your husband’s efforts have not gone unnoticed and are greatly appreciated by the advisors they are preparing for deployment.  SPC Washburn re-enlisted this past month for five years and will PCS to FT Drum, NY later this year.  He is currently attending Warrior Leaders Course at FT Polk.  This month we are preparing ourselves for the departure of the Noe Family as SGT Noe leaves the army and attends college.  We wish them success in their future endeavors in Kansas City.

Respectfully,

CPT Chaney

(Photo unavailable at this time)

SPC Washburn re-enlists for five years

and will PCS to FT Drum

'Bandido Charlie' Secures Western Iraq  

Servicemembers and civilians rely on convoy to ensure safe travels.