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Chat Transcript - 9 March 2010
Thursday, 11 March 2010
| 9th March 15:43 admin says: |
Welcome to 1-71CAV chat with SCO and CSM. We will start at 7:00pm |
| 9th March 15:59 LTC Paganini says: |
Hello everyone and welcome to our session. Thanks for taking time out to participate in our chat. I am going to give a couple of minutes to allow people to join the session. We'll get started in a few minutes. |
| 9th March 16:01 LTC Paganini says: |
This chat will be interactive. As you have questions, type them into the text box at the bottom of your screen. Hit "SEND" and it'll come in here to "Chat Headquarters". We'll check all incoming questions and answer them as they come in. |
| 9th March 16:02 LTC Paganini says: |
We intend on doing this very same type of event once we get forward into Afghanistan, so I'm also interested in your feedback on how well this is working. |
| 9th March 16:03 LTC Paganini says: |
The overall purpose of this chat is to talk about our upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. The CSM and I would like all families, those here at Fort Drum, and those extended around the world, to have access to imformation relevant to their loved ones. |
| 9th March 16:05 LTC Paganini says: |
The Squadron will deploy to Afghanistan in late March to work with the Afghan Government and Afghan Security Forces to build a stable and functioning district just south of Kandahar City. |
| 9th March 16:07 LTC Paganini says: |
Our Squadron, as well as our Brigade and higher Headquarters in Afghanistan are all finalizing the planning for our movement from Fort Drum to Afghanistan. Right now, the Squadron will deploy in several groups. |
| 9th March 16:08 LTC Paganini says: |
We will send some experts in fields of communication, command and control, and logistics forward early on to begin setting things up for the rest of the Squadron to come forward. |
| 9th March 16:09 LTC Paganini says: |
The first set of guys will leave the between March 20th and March 24th (about 4 guys). |
| 9th March 16:10 LTC Paganini says: |
The second set of specialists will leave toward the last few days of March. The first large amount of Soldiers will deploy within the first couple of days of April. This will include the majority of HHT and D Troops. Some B Troop leaders may come on this flight as well. |
| 9th March 16:11 LTC Paganini says: |
The next large set of Soldiers will move toward the end of the first week of April. That will be B Troop and some leaders from A Troop. C Troop and the last portion of the Squadron will deploy sometime around April 15th. |
| 9th March 16:12 LTC Paganini says: |
I'm running out of things to randomly type into this screeen. Does anyone have any questions? |
| 9th March 16:12 kari denny says: |
Are these dates set in stone or can they change again? |
| 9th March 16:13 LTC Paganini says: |
These dates are not set in stone, but they will remain relatively close. A lot will depend on the aircraft that we fly on getting finalized. |
| 9th March 16:16 LTC Paganini says: |
I would not expect any large shifts in dates (more than 2-3 days). As we get closer, we'll get updates about 4 days (96 hours)prior. We will continually get the updates as the aircraft timelines get finalized. We'll get a final confirmation about 24 hours out which will get Soldiers to come in and begin the movement process. |
| 9th March 16:16 LTC Paganini says: |
We will get an initial confirmation about 4 days prior to each flight. As the time gets nearer, we will get a closer window for deployment. About 24 hours out, we'll get a final confirmation which will set things in motion for Soldiers to come in and begin the movement process. |
| 9th March 16:17 courtneya1980 says: |
prob a stupid question, but where does that put the medics? |
| 9th March 16:17 LTC Paganini says: |
Medics will deploy with their respective Troops. The Squadron Aid Station medics will deploy with HHT |
| 9th March 16:17 zana mixson says: |
What is the time difference between here and where the guys will be? |
| 9th March 16:18 LTC Paganini says: |
The time difference is 9 and a half hours. |
| 9th March 16:18 LTC Paganini says: |
That's 9.5 hours ahead over there. Right now it's Friday morning. |
| 9th March 16:18 Lindsay Derrick says: |
I know mail was talked about with 1-71 and waiting until you all started to move out. Is that as early as the 4 Soldiers that may leave between the 20th-24th or should we wait until the initial push to have things sent ahead? |
| 9th March 16:19 karen oldroyd says: |
When will our Dad be able to e-mail us? Tessa and Taylor |
| 9th March 16:22 LTC Paganini says: |
It will take a little while before we get our mail room operational. I believe it would be safe to send mail once the first main body flight leaves. |
| 9th March 16:23 LTC Paganini says: |
Okay, I'm way ahead on the days. It's Wednesday morning over there, not Friday. lol |
| 9th March 16:24 CSM Oldroyd says: |
It is going to take a while to establish communication lines at each strongpoint/FOB/COB that will allow everyone to email all the time. However, we will have a few computer lines that the Troops will be using for official email correspondance that can be used during slow times by Soldiers to send messages. So, plan on us being able to email once in a while to begin with. We will work to get connections as we go. |
| 9th March 16:24 wendyoverholt says: |
For the forward soldiers, how soon "should" they have coms to email, SKYPE etc Will they have to capabilities to do this? |
| 9th March 16:26 LTC Paganini says: |
See the CSM's comments above about how quickly we'll establish communications. I think it will take quite a while before we get access to websites like SKYPE, Facebook, etcetera. I would not expect that for quite some time as we will have to bring in communications equipment to each Troop's location to get that capabality going. |
| 9th March 16:27 LTC Paganini says: |
We will put out updates on the virtual FRG website as we get improved connectivity. |
| 9th March 16:27 callie villasenor says: |
my husband told me he is receiving soldiers from delta troop. will these spouses be in our frg? |
| 9th March 16:29 LTC Paganini says: |
The Squadron will do everything in our power to keep families informed. To better do this, we will include attached Soldier's families into parent Troop FRGs. That's Army speak for saying that Soldiers in D Troop who are attached to B Troop will have their families get information from B Troop. That will provide real time information about the specifics for each Soldier and their family. |
| 9th March 16:31 LTC Paganini says: |
THis will apply to all Troops all five Troops will be in different locations. The Troop that is responsible for caring for, employing and taking care of the Soldier will be able to provide the most up to date information on what that Soldier is doing. That is why we will have attached Soldiers' families get info from the unit they are attached to. |
| 9th March 16:31 DougCheryl Baker says: |
How often will the Virtual FRG be updated once you get forward? |
| 9th March 16:32 LTC Paganini says: |
We will update the virtual FRG every day. The Troops, the Staff, and the Rear D all have a requirement to update the site. That is going to be the best way for families to keep informed as to what is going on. |
| 9th March 16:32 DougCheryl Baker says: |
(Cheryl Baker) When the exact dates get released for each flight, how will notification be sent to the spouses and family members? Or will they rely on their soldier to give them that information? |
| 9th March 16:34 LTC Paganini says: |
The outload process will be very regimented and controlled. The Rear Detachment will be responsible for the majority of the work. The Squadron will notify the Troop Chain of Command, who will notify Platoons, then Sections, until the Soldiers effected are specifically notified. The Rear Detachment will notify the FRG Leaders of flight information when we find it (as long as it is not Oh-Dark-Thirty). |
| 9th March 16:34 heather4jchrist says: |
how likely is it that our soldiers will be getting the specific leave dates they've put in for on EML? |
| 9th March 16:34 CSM Oldroyd says: |
Great question! EML dates are very hard to say you will get the exact date. We will do our best to get a Soldier home for a specific date, but we cannot promise. |
| 9th March 16:35 zana mixson says: |
What kind of info do you have about the cell phones that the soldiers can purchase when they are forward? |
| 9th March 16:38 LTC Paganini says: |
Soldiers will have access to cell phones once they get forward. The cell phones are provided by a local provider for a one-time phone and sim card purchase, and then a charge for a card with a certain number of credits. The credits are good for minutes as well as texts. I have spoken to units forward who are using these phones with great success. Prices are reasonable for Soldiers, but getting replacement cards for minutes/text may be a challenge. |
| 9th March 16:38 LTC Paganini says: |
As I said, since the provider is local, I would advise caution about what is said and texted into those type of phones. Guidance we gave the Soldiers was talk about "how they are doing" as opposed to "what they are doing". |
| 9th March 16:39 wendyoverholt says: |
Along with Zana's question, do the soldiers need cash for the cell phones or will credit cards work? |
| 9th March 16:40 LTC Paganini says: |
Soldiers will have access to what is called an Eagle Cash Card when they get forward. It's like a debit card, but you have to put money into the account in order to draw off of it. The two cell phone places I located only take cash or the Eagle Card. Credit cards do not work over there. |
| 9th March 16:41 karen oldroyd says: |
What restrictions are there for care package contents other than usps restrictions? |
| 9th March 16:41 CSM Oldroyd says: |
Okay, here's the deal! We need to take into account the customs of the country we're in, and what we're trying to accomplish. I say that to say do not send any pornographic material or alcohol. Also, you're right the postal restrictions also apply. |
| 9th March 16:42 nycapples says: |
that seems to be a pretty big space between torch and main body...will they be held somewhere until all the guys get there...or will they be sent immediately to the strong point |
| 9th March 16:42 LTC Paganini says: |
The first couple of guys going forward will spend a lot of time getting things ready for us to arrive. The majority of their time will be spent at the major hub in Kandahar. Once conditions are properly set, they'll move forward to the locations the Troops will occupy to begin readying those areas for our arrival. |
| 9th March 16:43 venus913 says: |
On HooahMail, after you put in the APO AE, it asks for a location. If we select Kandahar, will our Hooah Mail get to our Soldier? |
| 9th March 16:43 CSM Oldroyd says: |
We have no idea, but we will check and get the answer out to the Soldiers! |
| 9th March 16:44 DougCheryl Baker says: |
Where can you get an Eagle card / or do you have more info, a phone number or website so we can get more info about these cards (this is the first I think a lot of us are hearing about this card) |
| 9th March 16:44 LTC Paganini says: |
The Eagle Card is something that we'll set up as we arrive in country. It's offered through our Finance system and can be used at AAFES facilities forward and some accepted vendors on the major Forward Operating Bases. |
| 9th March 16:46 heather4jchrist says: |
will we be charged for calls from Afghanistan or will it show up back here as a US number? The rates are quite different for us back here if coming from an Afghan number |
| 9th March 16:46 LTC Paganini says: |
The cell phones receive incoming calls from the U.S. Soldiers there told me that it is much more cost effective to receive phone calls. Their Modus Operendi was to text a message home from Afghanistan to tell the spouse that they were available. The spouse would then call. Texting uses less credits than minutes, and incoming calls don't count against credits. Reception is good across the area we are going to, but I did not get to test everywhere. |
| 9th March 16:47 jrhoads says: |
Will the soldiers have access to a PX and an ATM? |
| 9th March 16:47 CSM Oldroyd says: |
The Soldiers will have limited access to a PX, but probably not an ATM. ATMs are very limited. Kandahar Airfield has a PX and Soldiers will have a chance to visit it when they are on the airfield. |
| 9th March 16:49 Mandajeanross1 says: |
How can we here put money on them |
| 9th March 16:49 LTC Paganini says: |
I will get our smart guys here at the Squadron HQ to put out a smart paper on the Eagle Card, with policies, information, how to transfer money to it, etc. We'll get it out to Soldiers and families and post it to the virtual FRG site. |
| 9th March 16:51 heather4jchrist says: |
would we be dialing an Afghan number over there if we call then? |
| 9th March 16:51 LTC Paganini says: |
I believe the number on the cell phones is an international number. When our first set of guys get over there, we'll ask them and put that out to the families as well. |
| 9th March 16:52 karen oldroyd says: |
Will we get to do VTC when the communications get more established? TNT |
| 9th March 16:53 CSM Oldroyd says: |
It is very hard to say that we will be able to support a VTC. VTCs take a lot of band width, and we will need it for our operational needs. If we can we will try to get support packages for email and VTCs, but please realize we must prioritize what we can and can't do. |
| 9th March 16:53 LTC Paganini says: |
There have been several questions come in about internet at the Troop locations. The Squadron S4 and Chaplain are working very hard to build to receive packages of equipment which will allow us to establish commercial internet capability at each site. As you can imagine, this will require a lot of effort, coordination, and time. This capability is limited, so we will not get enough to outfit every Troop location at the same time. More follows.... |
| 9th March 16:55 LTC Paganini says: |
We will continue to push until we get everyone capable of emailing home and gaining access to sites like SKYPE and Facebook. We will prioritize where we put the commercial communications packages based on what capabilities at each site. Based on some friendly competition back here, 2nd Platoon C Troop and all of B Troop have the priority for the equipment right now. |
| 9th March 16:57 jrhoads says: |
Will there be access to the local markets, and if so do they accept American money or will there need to be a currency exchange? |
| 9th March 16:57 LTC Paganini says: |
Part of what we are going to try to do when we get there is to stimulate the local economy. The markets are not very prominant right now in the Squadron area, but we hope to improve that over time. |
| 9th March 17:01 LStal says: |
I'm looking into sending my soldier with a debit card to his own account, is he going to be able to use that card or is he better off getting the Eagle Card? |
| 9th March 17:01 CSM Oldroyd says: |
An Eagle Card is an account that you have to transfer money into, so a debit card is one way to do that. A Soldier can obtain an Eagle Card at the Finance Office before we go, and "load" it before we go. Once a Soldier has a card you can also transfer funds with a phone call, using the internet or using a Finance Office forward. |
| 9th March 17:01 nycapples says: |
if there is an emergency can we expect the info (red cross) to reach our soldiers as normal |
| 9th March 17:01 LTC Paganini says: |
If there is an emergency, there are several venues to get the information to the Soldiers. The American Red Cross is always a good way to get information to your Soldier. The Red Cross will get the information to the Chain of Command. The Rear Detachment will have constant communication with the Chain of Command forward as well. If there is an emergency, you can contact your Rear Detachment NCOIC and he will get it to the Squadron TOC. More follows.... |
| 9th March 17:02 LTC Paganini says: |
The Squadron TOC will notify the Troop Chain of Command who will notify the Soldiers in person. |
| 9th March 17:05 DougCheryl Baker says: |
Once our guys leave, from the time they leave Fort Drum, how long should we expect until they are able to call the spouses to let them know they got there OK? |
| 9th March 17:05 LTC Paganini says: |
Once the guys leave Fort Drum, it's a long plane ride to the first destination. Soldiers will have between one and three days at the first stop and they will have access to phones and internet there. After that, they'll get to Kandahar Airfield where they'll have access to phones as well, but they'll be relatively busy getting ready to move forward. There will be a lot of Soldiers vying for a limited amount of morale phones, so understand if they can't get through right away. |
| 9th March 17:06 peckarmywife says: |
should our guys take cash with them or wait until they get an eagle card |
| 9th March 17:06 CSM Oldroyd says: |
As far as brining cash, its always a good idea to travel with some cash. How much is something that varies Soldier to Soldier. We will provide for every basic need, however its often nice to be able to buy gifts to send home, or just a decent cup of coffee when you get the chance. In my opinion, a Soldier should look into the Eagle Card specifics at the Finance Office, as well as bringing some cash with them. |
| 9th March 17:08 LTC Paganini says: |
The communication systems will be reminiscent of OIF I, but the overall situation won't be. I believe we'll have the capability to expand our communications systems more rapidly than we did in 2003. For right now, I think your Soldiers will have everything they need to get by for the first month. They'll have hot chow, a place to sleep, a way to stay relatively clean, and a lot of work. We will continue to improve our capabilities the entire time we're there. More follows..... |
| 9th March 17:08 nycapples says: |
this reminds me a lot of OIF 1...is there a list of items that yall already know we should send our soldiers? |
| 9th March 17:09 LTC Paganini says: |
You know Soldiers. As soon as we get forward and figure out a way to get a message back home, we'll tell you what we need. I think the thing they'll need most is information about what's going on back home (like who the Giants draft in the 1st Round) |
| 9th March 17:10 nycapples says: |
lol hooah! |
| 9th March 17:12 Mandajeanross1 says: |
or how the Patriots kicked there BUTT |
| 9th March 17:12 Mandajeanross1 says: |
hahahahahahahaha |
| 9th March 17:12 nycapples says: |
will the morale phones be routed through ft drum...like will a local number come up when they call |
| 9th March 17:12 LTC Paganini says: |
Yes, the morale numbers will be routed through a DSN number on Fort Drum. Again, Army speak for "yes a local number will show up". There are some AT--AMPER_SAND--T centers to use phone cards, and I'm not sure what number will show up when you call from there (I think it's a 1-888 number if I remember right from several deployments ago) |
| 9th March 17:13 LTC Paganini says: |
Okay, a couple more minutes before we close this out. Are there any other burning questions? |
| 9th March 17:15 nycapples says: |
can I send a picture of Gwendolyn in a Hooah email...would that be something they can print out as well? |
| 9th March 17:15 LTC Paganini says: |
HOOAH Mail provides the capability to print pictures in the text of emails. They have certain restrictions with respect to size of the file and other limitations, so check their website for more details. The pictures get printed in black and white, so check to see that the specific picture will work. I highly recommend this method by the way. |
| 9th March 17:15 gloria crawford says: |
Yes does your FRSA Rock LOL |
| 9th March 17:16 CSM Oldroyd says: |
Yes, our FRSA rocks! She's ready to help our families all the time, and that's awesome! |
| 9th March 17:17 DougCheryl Baker says: |
hehehehe - we LOVE Gloria!!!! Call her!! She can help!!! Really!!!! |
| 9th March 17:17 DougCheryl Baker says: |
Can parents, sister, brothers, ect..... get on the vFRG?? (a question from a parent) |
| 9th March 17:17 LTC Paganini says: |
Soldiers are the sponsors for the virtual FRG. The site is intended to allow loved ones to stay connected to their Soldier. Parents, brothers, sisters, extended families away from military installations are all invited to participate in the virtual FRG, so long as the Soldier approves them. The CSM and I use the virtual FRG to put out information, knowing that it is a closed loop of trusted people. |
| 9th March 17:20 LTC Paganini says: |
Okay ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for taking the time out to participate. We had about 28 people (of the more than 1,009 registered vFRG users) participate, and a few of you from away from the Fort Drum area. Please help us get the word out to as many people as possible about using the vFRG to stay informed. Also help us get the word out about the chat sessions. I anticipate doing our first one from forward around the middle to end of May. More follows...... |
| 9th March 17:21 LTC Paganini says: |
Once we finalize the date, we will post it to the vFRG. CSM Oldroyd and I would like to thank each and every one of you for what you do to support your Soldiers. They have a difficult 365 days ahead of them, and they will need your continued love and support. They will do amazing things, and you should be extremely proud of all of them...CSM Oldroyd and I are very proud to serve with them. Have a great night!!!! Scouts out. |
| 9th March 17:23 callie villasenor says: |
thx! glad this worked. |
| 9th March 17:24 LTC Paganini says: |
Thank all you FRG leaders for getting the ladies and families involved. I think it went well. Feedback from the families will be important so if you hear anything from them, let us know. |
