{"id":11448,"date":"2023-05-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=11448"},"modified":"2023-05-20T07:05:46","modified_gmt":"2023-05-20T07:05:46","slug":"behind-every-us-army-big-bird-is-a-soldier-with-a-wrench","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=11448","title":{"rendered":"Behind Every US Army Big Bird is a Soldier with a Wrench"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Pagan, a flight engineer with 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, checks equipment in a CH-47 Chinook as part of Swift Response 23 at Stefanovikeio Air Base, Greece, on May 15, 2023. Swift Response 23 is part of DEFENDER 23, a U.S. Europe and Africa Command directed multi-national, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S. and NATO allies and partners. Operational readiness across all domains such as air, is paramount to partnerships, crisis response, deterrence, and support to Allies and partners.<\/p>\n

DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the
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\n U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Pagan, a flight engineer with 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, kneels on a servicing platform to check a CH-47 Chinook component as part of exercise Swift Response 23 at Stefanovikeio Air Base, Greece, on May 15, 2023. Swift Response 23 is part of DEFENDER 23, a U.S. Europe and Africa Command directed multi-national, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S. and NATO allies and partners. Operational readiness across all domains such as air, is paramount to partnerships, crisis response, deterrence, and support to Allies and partners.<\/p>\n

DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.
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STEFANOVIKEIO, Greece \u2013 Air superiority and mobility is one of the cornerstones of today\u2019s modern fighting force.<\/p>\n

Over the years, U.S. Army leaders have worked tirelessly to ensure that our Soldiers have the best aircraft available such as helicopters like the CH-47 Chinook. It allows roughly a platoon sized element to board or disembark in a secure area as needed.<\/p>\n

Regardless of its speed and carrying capabilities, the CH-47 is still a machine, and behind every great machine there is a great flight engineer. Someone like U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Pagan.<\/p>\n

Pagan, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, aka “Big Windy,” has been part of the air crew for the last four years. He has learned the value of camaraderie when it comes to safety while working with his \u201cBig Windy Family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pagan, along with his unit, has been participating in the DEFENDER 23 exercise Swift Response 23, which features the Spanish Airborne Brigade \u201cBrigada Paracaidista (BRIPAC)\u201d replicating a division leading three separate Joint Forcible Entry airborne operations in the Baltic Sea and Mediterranean regions.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a crew member you treat each other as brothers\u2026family. It makes it safer,\u201d said Pagan. You\u2019re able to communicate better on the aircraft without the stress of formalities.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Pagan, a flight engineer with the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, pauses for a picture inside a CH-47 Chinook while participating in exercise Swift Response 23 at Stefanovikeio Air Base, Greece, on May 15, 2023. Swift Response 23 is part of DEFENDER 23, a U.S. Europe and Africa Command directed multi-national, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S. and NATO allies and partners. Operational readiness across all domains such as air, is paramount to partnerships, crisis response, deterrence, and support to Allies and partners.<\/p>\n

DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.
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\n U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Pagan, a flight engineer with the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, checks equipment on a CH-47 Chinook as part of Swift Response 23 at Stefanovikeio Air Base, Greece on May 15, 2023. Swift Response 23 is part of DEFENDER 23, a U.S. Europe and Africa Command directed multi-national, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S. and NATO allies and partners. Operational readiness across all domains such as air, is paramount to partnerships, crisis response, deterrence, and support to Allies and partners.<\/p>\n

DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.
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Competence and safety is paramount inside the aircraft and out. As a flight engineer, one small mistake \u2013 for example leaving a tool on the aircraft \u2013 can cause damage and make the aircraft non-mission capable. Attention to detail is key.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese things have over 80 major components that we have to keep functional,\u201d said Pagan. \u201cThat means we really have to pay attention to what we are doing to make sure she stays in the air.\u201d<\/p>\n

A flight engineer is a subject matter expert on all the systems in the aircraft and their limitations. Pagan is responsible for everything behind the cockpit as well as supervising and mentoring other crew members. A task he thoroughly enjoys.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to get to know people on a personal level. We create a positive work environment not only when we\u2019re flying but when we\u2019re doing maintenance too,\u201d he said. \u201cYou have to know that I have your back and you have mine. When everyone works as a team and everyone\u2019s on the same page it\u2019s amazing what we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

As always, no one in the Army stands alone, and wars are won with cohesive teams working together to ensure the best possible outcomes. Pagan continues to strive and search for new ways to excel and mentor his Soldiers in their career field.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese exercises [Swift Response 23], while they have some long days, really help give the team some perspective into what we do downrange,\u201d said Pagan. \u201cIt helps them see why our job is integral in helping win the fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learn more about DEFENDER 23<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1 \/ 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption \u2013 U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Pagan, a flight engineer with 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, checks equipment in a CH-47 Chinook as part of Swift Response 23 at Stefanovikeio Air Base, Greece, on May 15, 2023. Swift Response 23 is part of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11450,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11448","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11448"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11448\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11455,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11448\/revisions\/11455"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11450"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11448"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}