It's an unusual war when TRADOC (TRAining and DOctrine Command) has a soldier KIA. TRADOC is where the Army develops the tools and training and doctrine for the Army. It's the "TDA" Army, vice the "TOE" Army. Without going into explaining all the acronyms, it's the "institutional Army" not the "warfighting Army." The Combat Training Centers, or CTC's, are where the two intersect.
The big "dirt" CTCs, the National Training Center, at Fort Irwin, California, the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana and the Combat Maneuver Training Center in Hohenfels, Germany are where brigade-sized units go to conduct realistic training under the aegis of TRADOC Observer/Controllers.
The Battle Command Training Program, Fort Leavenworth, is the place that Brigade Combat Team and higher HQ's get as realistic a training experience as can be had when you don't have the resources to put an entire division in the field at once - it's done in simulation. Colonel McHugh commanded one of the Operations Groups for BCTP. He was killed in a massive vbied explosion while doing what we call a "right-seat ride-along" with the 10th Mountain in Afghanistan.
Make a hole down there - aviator inbound final to Fiddler's Green!
Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam of Colonel John McHugh.
The big "dirt" CTCs, the National Training Center, at Fort Irwin, California, the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana and the Combat Maneuver Training Center in Hohenfels, Germany are where brigade-sized units go to conduct realistic training under the aegis of TRADOC Observer/Controllers.
The Battle Command Training Program, Fort Leavenworth, is the place that Brigade Combat Team and higher HQ's get as realistic a training experience as can be had when you don't have the resources to put an entire division in the field at once - it's done in simulation. Colonel McHugh commanded one of the Operations Groups for BCTP. He was killed in a massive vbied explosion while doing what we call a "right-seat ride-along" with the 10th Mountain in Afghanistan.
Colonel McHugh almost followed me around the Army, though with much greater professional achievement. I worked with him when he was with OPS GRP C back in 2002-2003. You can read more about Colonel McHugh from a boyhood friend here, and for those who wish, there is a memorial Facebook page here.Colonel John McHugh
Chief, Operations Group Alpha
Battle Command Training Program
Colonel John McHugh graduated in 1986 from the United States Military Academy and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Army Aviation. Following the Rotary Wing (Flight School) and UH -60 Aviator courses, COL McHugh was stationed in Nurnberg, Germany with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR). He served as a platoon leader with S Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd ACR and deployed to Operation Desert Strom as the Regimental Aviation Officer.
Upon graduating from the Aviation Advanced Course, COL McHugh was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Carson, Colorado as a Flight Operations Officer for 4-4 General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) and Commander, A Company, 4-4 GSAB.
From 1998 until 1999, COL McHugh was the Executive Officer for 1-13th Aviation Regiment, Ft. Rucker, Alabama. From 2001 until 2002, he was the Executive Officer for 3-58th Aviation Regiment, Giebelstadt, Germany.
COL McHugh has served in multiple training assignments. From 1994 – 1996, he was assigned as a UH-60 Assault Company Trainer at the National Training Center, Ft. Irwin, California. From 1999-2001, he was a Maneuver Observer Trainer with Operations Group C, Battle Command Training Program, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas and from 2002-2004 he served as the Operations Officer/Aviation Operations Trainer for the Falcon Observer/Controller Team, Hohenfels, Germany.
From 2004-2006, COL McHugh commanded 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment at Ft. Rucker, Alabama and was responsible for providing Air Traffic Control for the US Army Flight School. COL McHugh has a Masters Degree in Administration from West Virginia Public University. Following command, COL McHugh served as Executive Officer for the Army Air Traffic Services Command and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Deputy Commander of the 164th Theater Airfield Operations Group. COL McHugh assumed duties as the Chief, Operations Group Alpha, in June 2009 upon graduation from the US Army War College.
Make a hole down there - aviator inbound final to Fiddler's Green!
Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam of Colonel John McHugh.
Lt. Col. Belkofer served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-8 (Comptroller) with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry).
Lt. Col. Bartz served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1 (Personnel) with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry).
They were there for key leader training in preparation for for the 10th to take over this fall.
I have memorial pages for them on my blog as well.
At the bottom of those memorial pages are a couple of articles about the men themselves, from friends and family who spoke to media.
He's one of the Inheritors of our Shield.
Grip hands with us, strengthen our hearts,
As the long line stiffens and straightens
With the thrill that your presence imparts.
Grip hands, tho' it be from the shadows,
While we swear, as you did of yore,
Or living, or dying to honor
The Corps, and the Corps, and the Corps.
May it be said "Well Done", Be Thou at Peace.