MEDIA UPDATE: Media wishing to cover these events must register by 2 p.m. May 18.

Click here to register.

GATE TIMES FOR EACH EVENT IS AS FOLLOWS:

8:30 A.M. Monday, MAY 21
Welcome Home Ceremony
Fort Hood Visitors Center South Parking Lot

7 A.M. Tuesday, May 22
Prayer Breakfast
Fort Hood Visitors Center South Parking Lot

12:30 P.M. Wednesday, May 23
Boxing Smoker Finals
Fort Hood Visitors Center South Parking Lot

9 A.M. Thursday, May 24
Awards Ceremony, Pass-in-Review
Fort Hood Visitors Center South Parking Lot

**********************************

FORT HOOD, Texas -- The III Corps commanding general honor Vietnam veterans at Fort Hood in a Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Ceremony 10 a.m. May 21 as part of the Corps' Phantom Warrior Week.

During the ceremony, Vietnam veterans will receive the same fanfare present-day Soldiers receive when they return from Iraq and Afghanistan. The veterans will parade onto Sadowski Field in front of hundreds, perhaps thousands of supporters who appreciate the sacrifices they made 50 years ago.

After the ceremony, veterans are invited to view the traveling Vietnam Wall and static military vehicle displays. The day will end with a festive barbecue.

Vietnam veterans who are interested in participating in the Welcome Home Ceremony, can register online by clicking on the Phantom Warrior Week logo here.

While Vietnam veterans will be notably recognized on the parade field, all veterans are invited to attend the events and should also register. Some events have limited availability and will be open on a first come basis.

During the week, various sporting events will be held for the active-duty Soldiers and at the weeks' end, May 24, Vietnam veterans are invited to participate in the III Corps Commanding General Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr.'s "Pass in Review" with Fort Hood units on Sadowski Field prior to the presentation of the coveted Commander’s Cup.

Event Information

• Schedule of Events
• Accessing Fort Hood
• Lodging

Broadcast Quality Video of the General's PSA are available at:

:30  http://www.dvidshub.net/video/142841

:60  http://www.dvidshub.net/video/142852

MEDIA UPDATE: Media wishing to cover these events must register by 2 p.m. May 18.

Click here to register.

GATE TIMES FOR EACH EVENT IS AS FOLLOWS:

8:30 A.M. Monday, MAY 21
Welcome Home Ceremony
Fort Hood Visitors Center South Parking Lot

7 A.M. Tuesday, May 22
Prayer Breakfast
Fort Hood Visitors Center South Parking Lot

12:30 P.M. Wednesday, May 23
Boxing Smoker Finals
Fort Hood Visitors Center South Parking Lot

9 A.M. Thursday, May 24
Awards Ceremony, Pass-in-Review
Fort Hood Visitors Center South Parking Lot

**********************************

FORT HOOD, Texas -- The III Corps commanding general honor Vietnam veterans at Fort Hood in a Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Ceremony 10 a.m. May 21 as part of the Corps' Phantom Warrior Week.

During the ceremony, Vietnam veterans will receive the same fanfare present-day Soldiers receive when they return from Iraq and Afghanistan. The veterans will parade onto Sadowski Field in front of hundreds, perhaps thousands of supporters who appreciate the sacrifices they made 50 years ago.

After the ceremony, veterans are invited to view the traveling Vietnam Wall and static military vehicle displays. The day will end with a festive barbecue.

Vietnam veterans who are interested in participating in the Welcome Home Ceremony, can register online by clicking on the Phantom Warrior Week logo here.

While Vietnam veterans will be notably recognized on the parade field, all veterans are invited to attend the events and should also register. Some events have limited availability and will be open on a first come basis.

During the week, various sporting events will be held for the active-duty Soldiers and at the weeks' end, May 24, Vietnam veterans are invited to participate in the III Corps Commanding General Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr.'s "Pass in Review" with Fort Hood units on Sadowski Field prior to the presentation of the coveted Commander’s Cup.

Event Information

• Schedule of Events
• Accessing Fort Hood
• Lodging

Broadcast Quality Video of the General's PSA are available at:

:30  http://www.dvidshub.net/video/142841

:60  http://www.dvidshub.net/video/142852

FORT HOOD, Texas -- At approximately 8:15 p.m. May 15 the Fort Hood Police Station received a call from a Killeen resident to report an unknown object falling into an open field adjacent to Aquarius Drive and Trimmier Drive in Killeen, Texas, from an AH-64 Apache helicopter.

Killeen Police Department responded and located the object which was impaled into the surface of the ground. Officials immediately cordoned-off the area.

At approximately 9:15 p.m. Fort Hood's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team was dispatched to the area. Upon arrival, EOD identified the object as an M36 training device. The M36 is an inert training device without a warhead or propulsion system and is designed to enable crews to simulate Hellfire missile engagements in the cockpit without launching from the aircraft. At approximately 11:45 p.m. the inert device was recovered intact and returned to the installation.

"Safety is always our number one concern, and we regret the inconvenience to the families affected in the area. We want to reassure the public that our military aircraft never fly off the installation with live munitions," said Col. Howard Arey, III Corps aviation officer.

"An investigation is underway, even as we review our safety and other procedures to ensure we understand why this happened and how to prevent it from happening in the future. We won't know the cause until the investigation is complete, but we believe at this time that it is not a systemic issue," added Arey.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died of apparent natural causes May 10 at Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas.

Sgt. 1st Class Thaddeus Warren Clark, 48, whose home of record is Fort Sill, Okla., entered active duty service in February 1990 as a petroleum specialist and served more recently as a mental health specialist. He was assigned to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, since December 2010.

Clark deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from October 2008 to May 2009.

Clark's awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal. four Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, six Army Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, United Nations Medal, NATO Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral two, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Drivers/Mechanics Badge.

UPDATE: The bulk of the activity will take place after 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 15. Media can register to cover the exercise for this day only.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood and surrounding cities will hold their annual Force Protection Exercise May 15-17 at various location on the installation.

The exercise will rehearse Fort Hood, local, state and federal emergency response procedures. Several agencies including on-post and neighboring community police, fire and medical personnel will respond to several emergencies throughout the two-day exercise.

The exercise consists of several incident locations, including areas of western Fort Hood along Clarke Road from the intersection of Highway 190 north to Comanche Village III, and eastern areas of Fort Hood vicinity Warrior Way Commissary, American Red Cross (Reynolds House), and Walker Village. 

During the exercise, traffic control measures will be implemented in the vicinity of the incident locations which may result in short delays. Personnel unable to avoid travel near the incident locations should incorporate potential delays into travel plans and allow extra time for travel.  Routine traffic on the installation is expected to experience minimal, if any, impact.   

In addition to emergency response vehicles and personnel, residents may observe smoke or other visual or audio effects in the incident areas. The exercise should end in the afternoon on May 17.

During the exercise, the emergency warning system (loudspeakers) will be used to simulate commands, i.e. "Shelter in Place."  All exercise instructions will be preceded and followed by "EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE."  Residents should not be alarmed and need not respond.   

Media interested in covering the exercise must register here at the Fort Hood Press Center by 5 p.m. May 14. Gate time is 8:45 a.m. May 15. There will only be one convoy out to the site for the exercise.

FORT HOOD, Texas -- High Definition B-roll Video from the last vehicle to leave Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn, a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, arriving at the Port of Beaumont in Beaumont, Texas is available at http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/1TSCPA.

Video of the vehicle arriving at Fort Hood will be available at the same site in approximately one hour.

An official unveiling ceremony for the MRAP is tentatively scheduled June 12 at the 1st Cavalry Division Museum here.

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died May 5 on Texas Highway 195, near Splawn Ranch Road and the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Killeen, Texas, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Sergeant Joshua Louis Kline, 26, whose home of record is listed as St. Robert, Mo., entered active-duty service in January 2007 as a food service specialist and served more recently as a biomedical equipment specialist. He arrived at Fort Hood in May 2010 and was assigned to Company A, 21st Combat Support Hospital, 1st Medical Brigade, Fort Hood, since September 2011.

Kline deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2007 to November 2008 and also in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from August 2010 to August 2011.

Kline's awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign service star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Overseas Service Ribbon and the Army Service Ribbon.

There is currently no photo available. If one becomes available, this release will be updated.

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Officials from Fort Hood's Directorate of Emergency Services responded to a 911 call for help in the afternoon on May 6 at Nolan Lake.

Fort Hood's Game Warden office, Fort Hood fire fighters, Texas Game Wardens and a Morgan's Point rescue diving team investigated the incident.

According to reports at the scene by emergency personnel, a 31-year-old male, Albert Gonzalez, from Belton, Texas, and his 5-year-old daughter were riding on their horse in the shallow water of Nolan Lake when the horse apparently stepped off a deep-water drop off throwing the male and female into the water.

The father apparently pushed his daughter to safety but was unable to make it back to shore himself. His body was found at 6:47 p.m. May 6 by the dive team. He was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin at 7:25 p.m.

The incident remains under investigation and next of kin have been notified.

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Fort Hood's 1st Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment, is moving to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., next week taking 10 AH 64 Apaches, six UH 60 Blackhawks and more than 460 Soldiers with them.

The 1-229th Avn. Regt. is an attack reconnaissance battalion, based at Fort Hood but assigned to the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Their casing ceremony is at 10 a.m. May 7 in Hangar 7022 on Hood Army Airfield.

The aircraft are scheduled to depart Fort Hood May 8.

Media wishing to cover the casing ceremony should register here.

FORT HOOD, Texas – Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who was found unresponsive in his residence April 30 in Copperas Cove, Texas. Coryell County Justice of the Peace John Guinn pronounced him deceased the same day.

Sergeant Able Felipe Duran, 47, whose home of record is listed as Colorado Springs, Colo., entered the military in December 1992 as a signal support systems specialist, and was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, Warrior Transition Brigade, Fort Hood, since March 2011.

Duran’s awards and decorations include the NATO Medal, Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal with silver loop, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, Korea Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Drivers/Mechanics Badge and the Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge.

The cause of death is under investigation.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died April 25 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Specialist Moises Jesus Gonzalez, 29, whose home of record is listed as Huntington Park, Calif., died in Balkh Province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when his vehicle rolled over.

Gonzalez joined the military in December 2006 as a water treatment specialist, and was assignment to the 509th Combat Service Support Company, 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Fort Hood, since June 2011.

Gonzalez deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from December 2008 to October 2009 and from June 2011 to April 2012.

Gonzalez's awards and decorations include the NATO Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals with campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and two Overseas Service Ribbon.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood's Directorate of Public Works - Environmental Division will host a special community-wide Earth Day event at 3:30-8:30 p.m. April 27 at 79th Street Gate.

A tree planting ceremony at 9 a.m. will kick off the annual Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration called Earth Fest.  More than 1,000 students will come through the event during the day for different environmental presentations.

"The Environmental Division has many programs that focus on enhancing mission readiness and environmental excellence on the installation," Steve Burrow, chief, Environmental Programs said.  "We take advantage of opportunities to educate and engage Soldiers and their Families to take responsibility for improving their community and serving as environmental stewards."

Earth Fest will be hosted in conjunction with Month of the Military Child Fest and will include activities for Soldiers, civilians and Families.  The free event will feature Zoomagination exotic animal show, Shoemaker Pandemonium steel drum band, Games 2U video gaming theater, inflatables, arts and crafts, a teen zone, and environmental displays.

For more information about Earth Fest, visit www.forthoodearthfest.com

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died April 19 from injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident in Copperas Cove, Texas, April 13.

Specialist Cory Kendall Pieper, 26, whose home of record is Delmar, N.Y., entered active duty service in January 2010 as a Multiple Launch Rocket System crewmember. He was assigned to Battery B, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, since August 2011.

Pieper's awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.

There is no currently no photo available. If one becomes available, this release will be updated.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died of apparent natural causes April 19 here.  

Specialist Joshua Aaron Martin, 20, whose home of record is Lynnwood, Wash., entered active duty service in October 2009 as a cavalry scout. He was assigned to Troop G, 3rd Cavalry Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, since February 2010.

Martin deployed in support of Operation New Dawn from August 2010 to August 2011.

Martin's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.

Circumstances surrounding this incident are currently under investigation.

FORT HOOD, Texas --  Military Judge Col. Gregory A. Gross announced his ruling on the defense continuance request in United States vs. Major Nidal M. Hasan April 17. He partially granted the defense request for a delay to a new trial date of Aug. 20.

Defense counsel had sought to delay to commencement of trial from June 12 until Oct. 9. Prosecutors opposed any further delay in the trial date.  

On Aug. 20, the parties will begin to seat the jury, which is called a panel in the military.  Gross will also likely hold other pretrial hearings between now and Aug. 20 and those will be announced as scheduled.

The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.   

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died April 7 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Killeen, Texas.

Sergeant Michael Robert Wall, 27, whose home of record is listed as Union, Miss., entered active-duty service in July 2002 as a field artillery fire-finder radar operator and more recently as a motor transport operator.

He arrived at Fort Hood in January 2011 and was assigned to 418th Transportation Company, 180th Battalion, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), since November 2011.

Wall deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2004 to February 2005, June 2006 to January 2007 and October 2008 to October 2009.

Wall's awards and decorations include four Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, three Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, three Iraq Campaign Medals with campaign service stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and four Overseas Service Ribbons.

There is no currently no photo available. If one becomes available, this release will be updated.

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died April 4 at his off-post residence in Copperas Cove, Texas.

Sergeant Guy Jacob McBroom, 27, whose home of record is listed as Astoria, Ore. He entered active-duty service in January 2006 as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle system maintainer. He arrived at Fort Hood in December 2011 and was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, since February 2012.

McBroom deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from August 2010 to June 2011.

McBroom's awards and decorations include a NATO Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and a Driver and Mechanic Badge with Mechanic.

Circumstances surrounding this incident are currently under investigation.

There is no currently no photo available. If one becomes available, this release will be updated.

FORT HOOD, Texas - In the case of U.S. vs. Maj. Nidal Hasan, the trial judge, Col. Gregory Gross, heard arguments from both sides regarding pending motions April 10 in the Lawrence J. Williams Judicial Center here. 

The first motion was the defense's request to appoint a victim outreach specialist. A Defense-Initiated Victim Outreach specialist was requested by the defense and would be appointed by the court to reach out to victim-survivors of capital crimes and act as the link between the victim-survivor and the defense team.  After hearing from witnesses and argument from both sides, Gross denied the defense motion. 

In the second motion, the defense counsel requested a continuance until October 9, 2012.

Defense counsel argued that the delay is necessary because of the large volume of documents and other evidence already delivered to the defense and the anticipated continued disclosure of additional documents and evidence by the prosecution.

Government counsel argued that the defense has had ample time to review the evidence and requested that the defense counsel file any further motions as soon as possible.

Gross did not make a decision on whether to grant the motion for a continuance.  He indicated that he will schedule another hearing in the near future at which time he will issue his decision.

Gross also denied a defense motion for the production of discovery containing communications between the President of the United States and other parties.  This motion had been filed and litigated at an earlier hearing.

The accused is considered innocent until and unless proven guilty.

FORT HOOD, Texas -- The military judge in the case of United States vs. Maj. Nidal M. Hasan has scheduled a half-day administrative hearing at 10 a.m. April 10 in the Lawrence J. Williams Judicial Center here.

Both the prosecution and defense will go on the record in open court to litigate pending motions brought by the defense.

The newest motion by the defense is for a continuance until October 2012. The judge also ordered the production of three witnesses for a defense motion to appoint a victim outreach specialist.

Other motions may also be filed by either side for litigation at this hearing; and, the military judge may also put other matters on the record at the hearing.

The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Media who plan to cover the hearing must register here.

On the date for the event, satellite trucks should report to the Fort Hood Clarke Road Gate on West Highway 190 at 6:15 a.m. Truck registration ends at 6:45 a.m. All others should check in to the Fort Hood visitor's center, from 8-9 a.m. for final registration. All media should be prepared to show a U.S. driver's license with photo and an accredited press badge with photo.

In the case of U.S. vs. Maj. Nidal Hasan the trial judge, Col. Gregory Gross, clarified some administrative matters and then heard arguments from both sides regarding pending motions.

 - The administrative matters included the appointment of Maj. Joseph Marcee for the defense replacing Capt. Justin Oshana who was released from duty earlier this year.  

 - In a newer request, the defense counsel requested a continuance until October, which will be litigated at a 10 a.m. April 10 Article 39a hearing.

 - The judge granted the defense request for the appointment of an expert in forensic pathology.

 - He denied defense requests to set aside the capital referral.

 - He issued a protective order for Department of Defense and Army material and denied a defense request to modify the protective order.

 - He denied a government request to pre-admit numerous pieces of evidence.

 - He ordered the production of three witnesses for a defense motion to appoint a victim outreach specialist. Those witnesses are scheduled to be produced and the motion will be litigated on April 10.

 - The judge denied a defense motion to interview the convening authority and the staff judge advocate.

The accused is considered innocent until and unless proven guilty. Media wishing to cover the April 10 Article 39a Hearing should register here.

FORT HOOD, Texas -- At the request of prosecutors and defense counsel for Maj. Nidal M. Hasan, a half-day administrative hearing will begin at 10 a.m. April 4 in the Lawrence J. Williams Judicial Center.

Both parties in the case of the United States vs. Maj. Nidal M. Hasan will go on the record in open court before Military Judge Col. Gregory Gross to litigate pending motions brought by defense. The newest motions concern if defense should receive expert assistance at government expense for a forensic pathologist and remaining issues concerning the military's capital procedures. Other motions may also be filed by either side for litigation at this hearing, and the military judge may also put other matters on the record at the hearing.

The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Media who plan to cover the hearing must register here.

On the date for the event, satellite trucks should report to the Fort Hood Clarke Road Gate on West Highway 190 at 6 a.m. Truck registration ends at 6:45 a.m. All others should check in to the Fort Hood visitor's center, from 8-9 a.m. for final registration. All media should be prepared to show a U.S. driver's license with photo and an accredited press badge with photo.

By Heather Graham-Ashley, III Corps and Fort Hood Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas - III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr. keeps a memento of a special Vietnam veteran close to his heart.

Along with his own Army-issued dog tags, a dog tag his wife was issued as a spouse in Europe, and a St. Christopher medallion, the general wears a dog tag from his father, retired Col. Donald M. Campbell Sr.

“I wear them proudly,” Campbell said about the plethora of silver tags hanging from his neck.

The aluminum tag notched with his father’s information is a tribute to his father’s service and a constant reminder of why the general continues to serve. He serves for the Soldiers.

Campbell cares deeply for Soldiers. It obviously pains him to think that Vietnam veterans, like his father and father-in-law, came home to an unfriendly nation.

Banners and cheering crowds that today’s veterans return home to following deployment ceremonies are in stark contrast to what those coming home from Vietnam experienced nearly 50 years ago.

“In a way, it really, and this is my opinion, could be described as a national tragedy that we didn’t recognize those young men and women who served in the jungles of Vietnam, who did what their country asked them to do, and then were frowned upon, in some cases, spat upon (when they returned home),” Campbell said.

The general is working to undo what was done nearly 50 years ago.

Fort Hood and the surrounding communities will gather May 21 on the installation to give area Vietnam veterans the recognition and welcome home they deserve. Campbell said the ceremony is long-overdue.

“I want to properly recognize our Vietnam veterans who served throughout the years in really a tough environment, and in my opinion, never were properly recognized when they returned home to their camps, posts and stations,” Campbell said. “It’s not good that they didn’t get the recognition, so I think it’s important that we take an opportunity and do it now.”

By Heather Graham-Ashley, III Corps and Fort Hood Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood youth spent March 24 in their Soldier-parent’s boots during Operation Military Youth Mock Deployment at the Bronco Youth Center.

This event marked the fifth time Fort Hood has hosted the Army Community Service and Child, Youth and School Services-sponsored event.

Nearly 120 Fort Hood children, ages 18 months-17 years, spent the day learning about what it means to be a Soldier.

The morning started out with the youth standing in formation with their assigned platoons and a briefing from Lt. Col. Shawn Perry, commandant, Fort Hood Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Training Facility.

“Being a child of the Army makes you different, it makes you tougher and more resilient,” Perry told the youths. “It makes you awesome.”

The day, after all, Perry told the young Soldiers, was about awesome.

In their assigned platoons, the children and teens moved through stations where they had the chance to go inside military vehicles including a Bradley Fighting Vehicle and an M109 Paladin; get their faces painted and try on some of the armor Soldiers wear in combat; go through a mock pre-deployment health screen; and run an obstacle course.

Students from Copperas Cove’s JROTC program served as platoon leaders for the day and led the youth through the military events and activities.

More than 40 Fort Hood Soldiers and 71 members of the Fort Hood community also volunteered their time to make the day a success, Stephanie Mello, mobilization and deployment specialist, ACS, said.

“These are all volunteers,” she added.

Ambra Gonzalez brought her son, Owen Johnson, 7, to the mock deployment so that the child could experience a little bit of what his father does as a Soldier.

The idea of seeing what a Soldier does each day was a strong motivator for attendance, as well as the overall theme for the day.

“He wanted to come out and see what I do,” 1st Lt. Christopher Cooper, 66th Military Intelligence Company, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, said about his son, Lincoln, 3.

P.J. Jolly enjoyed watching her small children try on the protective gear Soldiers wear.

“They’re always messing with their daddy’s equipment,” she said.

Isaac Jones, 13, enjoyed the opportunity to don some of the equipment his father wears, but he also began to understand the downfall of such cumbersome gear.

“I don’t want to wear this all day,” Isaac said. “I feel his pain.”

The day was capped by a demonstration by Fort Hood’s Military Working Dogs section and a welcome-home ceremony for the youth.

Ending their deployment the same way as Soldiers end their deployments, the children entered the Bronco Youth Center gym at the end of the day, parents cheered and waved handmade signs.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died March 21 in Copperas Cove, Texas, from injuries suffered from a gunshot wound.

Captain Ian Samuel Morrison, 27, whose home of record is listed as Hockessin, Del., joined the military in May 2007.  He arrived at Fort Hood in September 2009 and his last assignment here was with Company A, 1st Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment, 21st Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Hood since December 2010.

Morrison deployed in support of Operation New Dawn from March 2011 to December 2011.

Morrison's awards and decorations include Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Aviation Badge and Parachutist Badge.

Circumstances surrounding this incident are currently under investigation.

FORT HOOD, Texas – Sixteen Soldiers and three civilians will be honored at a formal retirement ceremony at 10 a.m. March 30 at Club Hood, here. These Soldiers and civilian have more than 500 years of combined federal service.

The senior retiree at the ceremony is Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hector Rivera, Bravo Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, III Corps, Fort Hood. He will retire after 30 years of service.

Others being honored include:

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Elmer J. Hill, 206th Military Intelligence, 407th Military Intelligence Brigade, Intelligence and Security Command, Fort Hood. He will retire after 26 years of service.

Command Sgt. Maj. Mark D. Joseph, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood. He will retire after 31 years of service.

Sgt. Maj. Richard R. Jones, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, III Corps, Fort Hood. He will retire after 32 years of service.

Sgt. Maj. Wilburn E. Ferguson, Charlie Company, III Corps, Fort Hood. He will retire after 32 years of service.

Sgt. Maj. Robert P. Squires, Headquarters Support Company, III Corps, Fort Hood. He will retire after 27 years of service.

Master Sgt. Randy A. Malone, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood. He will retire after 27 years of service.

Master Sgt. Jim Davis, Jr., Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood. He will retire after 28 years of service.

Sgt. 1st Class Tamara D. Frescatore, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood. She will retire after 20 years of service.

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher J. Seeley, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood. He will retire after 21 years of service.

Sgt. 1st Class Timothy C. Jackson, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, Ky. He will retire after 20 years of service.

Sgt. 1st Class Brent K. Boodoo, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Warrior Transition Brigade, Fort Hood. He will retire after 20 years of service.

Staff Sgt. Daniel W. Seemann, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood. He will retire after 24 years of service.

Staff Sgt. Leverne A. Gibbs, Jr., 61st Multi-Function Medical Battalion, 1st Medical Brigade, Fort Hood. He will retire after 22 years of service.

Staff Sgt. Michael W. Mease, 53rd Quartermaster Company, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood. He will retire after 21 years of service.

Staff Sgt. Michael R. Ables, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Humphrey, South Korea. He will retire after 20 years of service.

Mr. Randolph A. Buchheit, Directorate of Logistics, Transportation Division, Fort Hood. He will retire after 40 years of service.

Mr. Isaac Kelly, Directorate of Human Resources, United States Army Garrison, Fort Hood. He will retire after 37 years of service.

Ms. Joyce L. Cantu, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, Installation Security Office, Fort Hood. She will retire after 30 years of service.

Media desiring to cover the event should call the III Corps Public Affairs office at (254) 287-0106 or (253) 287-9993 no later than 5 p.m. March 29.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died in El Dorado, Kan.

Specialist Hal Lee Neukirch Jr., 39, whose home of record is listed as Madison, Ala., died March 22 from a terminal illness.

Neukirch entered active-duty service in January 2009 as a combat engineer. He arrived at Fort Hood in June 2009 and his last assignment here was with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade since November 2011.

Neukirch deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from January 2010 to December 2010.

Neukirch's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and Driver and Mechanic badge.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died March 24 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Captain Aaron D. Istre, 37, whose home of record is listed as Vinton, La., died March 24 in Kabul, Afghanistan. He joined the military in November 1998 and was assignment to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood since June 2009.

Istre deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from November 2005 to November 2006. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in December 2011.

Istre's awards and decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO Medal.

Circumstances surrounding this incident are currently under investigation.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died March 15 in Temple, Texas, from injuries suffered from a gunshot wound March 14 in Killeen, Texas.

Sergeant Timothy Daniel Dupree, 27, whose home of record is listed as Phoenix, Ariz., joined the military in August 2003 as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. He arrived at Fort Hood in February 2004 and was currently assigned to Company C, 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 11th Signal Brigade, Fort Hood since November 2009. 

Dupree deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from December 2005 to November 2006 and June 2008 to June 2009. He deployed in support of Operation New Dawn from April 2011 to October 2011. 

Dupree's awards and decorations include four Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, two Iraqi Campaign Medals with campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, Driver and Mechanic Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver - Wheeled Vehicles. 

Circumstances surrounding this incident are currently under investigation.

Media Registration Link

http://www.forthoodpresscenter.com/go/survey/3439/9823/

FORT HOOD, Texas – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will host “Hiring Our Heroes" Military Spouse Hiring Fair 7 a.m. to noon March 28 at Club Hood, here.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Hiring Fair is committed to making this free hiring fair a win-win for employers and veteran/military spouse job seekers.

Please note registration for military spouses closes March 20.

This hiring event, sponsored by Capital One and the Fort Hood Officers’ Spouse Club and with support from Banana Republic is being conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Killeen Chamber of Commerce, Fort Hood, Texas, III Corps, U.S. Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation, Club Hood, Fort Hood ACAP Center, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), and the United States Army Reserve.

AVAILABLE TO PRESS:

Laura Dempsey, Director of Military Spouse Programs

WHAT:

U.S. Chamber of Commerce, hoh.greatjob.net

WHEN:

March 28, 2012

7 a.m. - noon

WHERE:

Club Hood

24th Street and Wainwright Drive

Fort Hood, TX 76544

RSVP: Credentialed members of the media are invited to register through press@uschamber.com or by calling (202) 463-5682.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood will host a national prayer breakfast 7 a.m. March 14 at Club Hood.

Major Gen. Douglas Carver, a former Army chief of chaplains will be the guest speaker.

The theme for this year’s 90-minute program is “Choosing Gratitude."

Media interested in covering this event are asked to register online here.

Colonel Laura J. Richardson, commander, U.S. Army Operational Test Command (USAOTC), will be promoted to brigadier general at 4 p.m. March 2, at the III Corps headquarters flagpole in a ceremony hosted by Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood commanding general.

Richardson took command of OTC in July 2011.  Her husband, Brig. Gen. James M. Richardson, is the deputy commanding general for support, First Cavalry Division, currently deployed to Afghanistan.

Media desiring to cover the event should contact Fort Hood Public Affairs Office, at (254) 287-0106/9993 no later than 4 p.m. March 1. A public affairs escort will meet the media at the Marvin Leath Visitor Center at 3:30 p.m. March 2.

Richardson's bio is available at https://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/3439/1323915/

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died Feb. 21 in Killeen, Texas, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Specialist Sharod Ahkeim Carroll, 31, whose home of record is listed as Philadelphia, Pa., entered active-duty service in March 2003 as a cable system installer. He arrived at Fort Hood in July 2009 and was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division. His last assignment here was with 62nd Expeditionary Support Battalion, 11th Signal Brigade, Fort Hood since January 2012.

Carroll deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from July 2003 to April 2004, November 2005 to November 2006, November 2007 to February 2009 and in support of Operation New Dawn from April 2011 to August 2011.

Carroll's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign service star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and Army Service Ribbon.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died Feb. 22 in Temple, Texas, from injuries suffered from a gunshot wound Feb. 20 at Fort Hood.

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher David Atkinson, 33, whose home of record is listed as Lakeside, Mont., joined the military in April 1998 as an infantryman. He arrived at Fort Hood in January 2005. His last assignment here was with 1st Battalion, 393rd Infantry Regiment, 479th Field Artillery Brigade, Fort Hood since September 2009.

Atkinson deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from December 2005 to November 2006 and from June 2008 to May 2009.

Atkinson's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, four Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge and Parachutist Badge.

Circumstances surrounding this incident are currently under investigation.

There is no currently no photo available. If one becomes available, this release will be updated.

UPDATE 1: High Resolution Video is being uploaded now to DVIDS. Reference Batch #365626 at (678) 421-6612. Photos of the memorial ceremony are also available at Fort Hood's Flickr Page

By Dave Larsen
III Corps and Fort Hood Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas – Approximately 500 people, including Soldiers, Family members, community leaders and friends, filled the Spirit of Fort Hood Chapel to not only mourn the passing of Brig. Gen. Terence J. Hildner, the former commanding general of the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), but also to celebrate his life at a memorial ceremony here, Feb. 18.

Three speakers paid tribute to Hildner, who died Feb. 3 in Kabul, Afghanistan of apparent natural causes: III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr.; 13th ESC Commander Col. Knowles Y. Atchison; and the 13th ESC’s senior noncommissioned officer and the other half of Hildner’s command team in Afghanistan, Command Sgt. Maj. Terry E. Parham.

In his remarks, Campbell recalled Hildner as "a tremendous and compassionate leader" whose legacy lives on with his Soldiers in Afghanistan, his Family and friends in Central Texas and throughout the Army because of his service.

"He was the best general officer I have ever seen when it came to understanding the meaning of teamwork," Campbell said.

Campbell told Hildner’s parents, Robert and Susan, they should “know that your son truly was an officer and a gentleman.”

To the general’s wife and his children, Campbell spoke of the strength of the Army – its Families – telling the Hildner Family they will always be a part of the Army Family, especially at Fort Hood.

“Thank you, Cindy, for all you have done and continue to do for our Army Family,” he said.

During his tribute, Atchison drew a few chuckles in the audience.

“I have had the privilege to have spent countless hours over the last few years engaged in intellectual combat with Brig. Gen. Hildner,” Atchison said in his opening remarks. These discussions would go on and on, but would always end with the same words.

“He would say, ‘At the end of the day, it’s about relationships,’” Atchison recalled.

“He was my general, and he was my friend, and we built those relationships,” he said.

Atchison’s voice cracked and quivered as he noted a shared faith with Hildner.

“Brigadier Gen. Hildner was a professional Soldier in the United States Army, but he was also in the Lord’s Army,” Atchison said, “and sometimes, your higher headquarters has other plans for you other than the one’s you’ve made yourself. The Lord must have needed a master logistician, so he came to the greatest Army in the world and He took the best.”

Parham joined Hildner at the 13th ESC in September. They deployed together in December. Less than two months later, Parham was speaking at his memorial.

“He was a demanding leader, but respected everyone,” Parham said. “It's been an honor to serve beside a great leader.”

Following the three tributes, Col. Archie P. Davis III read “The Soldier’s Psalm,” Psalm 91. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Stephen W. Austin followed with a memorial meditation. Before the benediction was given, however, a bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace” was played by retired Maj. Bill Herridge.

As the final notes of Herridge’s tribute faded away, Command Sgt. Maj. Guitaud Leandre called out the final roll call for the general, followed by the firing of volleys by a 13th ESC firing detail. A lone bugler played “Taps” to conclude the ceremony.

Hildner is survived by his wife, Cindy; his parents, Robert and Susan Hildner; his sister, Elizabeth; his brother, Steven; two sons, Jonathan and Ryan; two daughters, Brittany and Julie; and grandson, Cameron. The general will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors Feb. 29.

(Editor's Note: High Resolution photos of the memorial ceremony are now available at Fort Hood's Flickr Page)

FORT HOOD, Texas – A 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) memorial ceremony for Brig. Gen. Terence J. Hildner will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 18 in the Spirit of Fort Hood Warrior and Family Chapel.

The 13th ESC commanding general died in Afghanistan Feb. 3 of apparent natural causes.

The ceremony is closed to press. However, high resolution video will be available via DVIDS at (678) 421-6612 after 3 p.m.

High Resolution photos of the ceremony also will be available at Fort Hood's Flickr Page and linked in a story to be posted on the Fort Hood Press Center.

FORT HOOD, Texas - More than 400 Soldiers from Fort Hood and III Corps units will compete in the  2012 Combative Tournament Championship Feb. 13-16 here.

Preliminary fights begin from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 13-15. The finals are from 6-10 p.m. Feb. 16.

The event is open to the public.

Media interested in covering this event are asked to register online here.

UPDATE 2:: High Resolution Video is now available at DVIDS. Reference Batch #363717 at (678) 421-6612.

UPDATE 1: High Resolution photos of the salute are now available at Fort Hood's Flickr Page also link of the Fort Hood Press Center.

FORT HOOD, Texas – A cannon salute was fired at noon Feb. 9 in front of III Corps Headquarters here in honor of the late Brig. Gen. Terence J. Hildner, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) commanding general, who died in Afghanistan Feb. 3 of apparent natural causes.

Hildner’s Family and friends joined Fort Hood leaders at the base of the III Corps flagpole as Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, fired 11 rounds in one-minute intervals.

The cannon salute is a traditional courtesy bestowed upon a general officer following his or her death. The number of rounds fired is associated with their rank.

Hildner took command of the 13th ESC Aug. 19, 2010, and deployed to Afghanistan with the unit in December as the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan deputy commander for Support Operations.

A memorial service for the general will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 18 at the Spirit of Fort Hood Warrior and Family Chapel. The funeral is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. EST Feb. 29 at the Memorial Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery.

MEDIA: Later today, high resolution video and photos of the salute will be available at www.forthoodpresscenter.com via the Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS).

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died Feb. 3 from an apparent heart attack at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, here.

Sgt. 1st Class Harold Demond Johnson, 39, whoes home of record was listed as Lexa, Ark., entered active-duty service in February 1990 as a metal worker and recently served as a maintenance supervisor. He was born was born in Helena, Ark. He was assigned to 181st Chemical Company, 2nd Chemical Battalion, 48th Chemical Brigade, Fort Hood, since August 2011.

Johnson deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2004 to February 2005.

Johnson's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, four Army Commendation Medals, four Army

Achievement Medals, six Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Medal with numeral three, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and two Driver and Mechanic Badges.

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died Feb. 4 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Florence, Texas.

Specialist Joshua Winn, 21, whose home of record is listed as Shreveport, La., entered active-duty service in July 2009 as a food service specialist. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop Support Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, since January 2010.

Winn deployed in support of Operation New Dawn from August 2010 to August 2011.

Winn's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and Army Service Ribbon.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died of apparent natural causes Feb. 3 in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Brigadier General Terence J. Hildner, 49, listed his home of record as Fairfax, Va. He was born in New Haven, Conn. He took command of 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Aug. 19, 2010.

“We are truly saddened by the loss of Brigadier General Hildner,” Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood commanding general, said. “This is a tragic loss for the Army, III Corps and for our Central Texas community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his Family and friends. The command will remain focused on assisting the Family through this difficult time.”

A 1984 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Hildner began his career as an Armor officer with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bliss, Texas. He was reassigned in 1988 to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Federal Republic of Germany. He served as the regimental training officer and subsequently commanded a ground cavalry troop. During his company command, Hildner's troop deployed with the regiment as part of the U.S. VII Corps' attack into Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Desert Storm, as well as conducting the last U.S. patrol along the East-West German border before its reunification.

Returning from Germany, the general served in several assignments at Fort Hood to include 2nd Armored Division comptroller and aide-de-camp to the 4th Infantry Division commanding general.

Following his transition to the Quartermaster Corps and attendance at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 1997, Hildner served in a variety of staff positions to include battalion executive officer of the 296th Forward Support Battalion, Supply and Services chief for I Corps Logistics at Fort Lewis, Wash., and logistician for Joint Task Force 6, a Department of Defense's counterdrug task force.

In 2003, Hildner assumed command of the 13th Corps Support Command's Special Troops Battalion at Fort Hood. During nearly three years in command, the battalion conducted two operational deployments. The first came in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a combat sustainment support battalion, providing general logistical support to units located around Joint Base Balad, as well as the Abu Gharib prison complex. The battalion's second deployment came in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, as Logistical Task Force Lone Star, providing both military and humanitarian support operations.

From July 2007 to July 2009, Hildner commanded the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade at Fort Lee, Va., training more than 20,000 Soldiers annually for deployment in support of contingency operations across the globe.

In 2009, he was the Combined Arms Support Command's director of training and doctrine.

Hildner departed Fort Hood in December for Afghanistan to support the NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan.

“The unfortunate and untimely death of Brigadier General Hildner was a shock to our unit and Families,” Col. Knowles Atchison, 13th ESC rear commander, said. “Both forward deployed elements and we at home station are deeply saddened by this loss. We will all pull together through this difficult period and care for one another.”

Hildner’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, U.S. Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, Southwest Asia Medal with 2 bronze stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Colonel Gregory Gross, the judge for the court-martial of Maj. Nidal Hasan at Fort Hood, re-set the trial date to June, 12, 2012. Previously scheduled to begin on March 5, 2012, the defense attorneys requested a delay so that they can better prepare for the trial. The judge agreed that one of the defense experts, a specialist in mitigation evidence, needs more time to complete his review of Hasan's background. The judge also agreed that the defense team needs more time to sift through the volumes of documents related to this case. 

The judge considered other motions and requests from both the defense and prosecution teams in today's hearing. The judge ruled on motions presented by the defense attorneys last October, where they requested expert assistance on the effect of pre-trial publicity and for help in selecting panel (jury) members. The judge denied the pre-trial publicity expert, but granted the panel selection expert. This expert will assist the defense attorneys in questioning the panel members before the court-martial to determine which members should be excused from sitting on the panel. 

The defense also filed a motion to compel the prosecution to provide them with notes from meetings and conversations between the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other high-ranking officials in the aftermath of the shooting on Fort Hood on November 5, 2009. The defense attorneys have requested the notes so they can determine if any matter was discussed which may have unlawfully influenced the independent discretion of Hasan's chain of command to prosecute him. The prosecution opposed the motion, saying that the Army officers who have taken action in this prosecution were under no influence from higher officials to do so. The judge reserved ruling on this matter until a later date.

Another motion considered was the prosecution team's request that investigation reports prepared by the U.S. Department of Defense regarding Hasan's military career be protected from further dissemination by the defense attorneys. The defense attorneys oppose such a protective order and requested that the judge allow them time to prepare a response to the prosecution's motion. Once the judge receives the response, he will hear arguments from both sides before ruling on the motion.

The judge commented on a matter that had been discussed at the last hearing in November. The defense attorneys have requested they be allowed to talk privately with the Commanding General of Fort Hood and the Staff Judge Advocate who gives legal advice to the Commanding General, to inquire into their qualifications to proceed with this case as a capital murder trial.

The prosecution asserts that such private access is unnecessary, and asked the judge for more time to prepare a response to the defense request. The judge granted them more time, and he will not rule on this matter until he considers the prosecution's response.

The judge will prepare a docketing order based on the new trial date, and he may allow both sides to conduct hearings or conferences with him on a weekly basis as the trial date grows near. He will allow both sides to submit questions to the pool of potential panel members before they are selected for this trial.

Hasan is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

UPDATE: Fort Hood services a population of more than 350,000 Soldiers, Families, retirees and civilian and contract employees. Nearly 100,000 users viewed the town hall page on Jan. 26. Of those, more than 2,200 actively participated. Of which, 1,100 posted nearly 10,000 comments and likes. Fort Hood officials received and answered nearly 300 questions via Facebook and phone. We received a total of 23 phone-in questions. Twenty nine (22 Facebook and 7 phone in) were answered directly by the III Corps commander and live panel experts during the television portion of the town hall. The questions and answers are all viewable from the Fort Hood Press Center (Forthoodpresscenter.com) and the III Corps Facebook page (Facebook\FortHood).

UPDATE: A clean studio quality version of the TV portion of the Fort Hood Town Hall is now available for download at http://www.dvidshub.net/video/136084

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Fort Hood officials will soon post several versions of the Fort Hood Facebook and TV Town Hall held Jan. 26 by Fort Hood and III Corps Commanding General Lt. Gen. Donald Campbell Jr.  

FortHoodRadio.com will air the audio portion of the town hall at 6 p.m. Jan. 27. Also, a complete transcript of the TV portion will be posted on Facebook over the weekend.

A studio quality version of the TV portion will be loaded to Facebook\forthood later this afternoon. Televison stations can download the studio quality version by calling DVIDS at (678) 421-6690 for satellite coordinates.

Fort Hood officials have answered many of the Facebook questions and will continure to answer the more than 430 posts from last night's town hall on Facebook. 

FORT HOOD, Texas -- At the request of prosecutors and defense counsel for Maj. Nidal M. Hasan, a half-day administrative hearing will begin at 10 a.m. Feb. 2 in the Lawrence J. Williams Judicial Center.

Both parties in the case of the United States vs. Maj. Nidal M. Hasan will go on the record in open court before Military Judge Col. Gregory Gross to litigate pending motions brought by defense.  The newest motions concern discovery and a continuance.  Other motions may also be filed by either side for litigation at this hearing, and the military judge may also put other matters on the record at the hearing. 

The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Media who plan to cover the hearing must register here.

On the date for the event, satellite trucks should report to the Fort Hood Clarke Road Gate on West Highway 190 at 6 a.m. Truck registration ends at 6:45 a.m. All others should check in to the Fort Hood visitor's center from 8-9 a.m. for final registration. All media should be prepared to show a U.S. driver's license with photo and an accredited press badge with photo.  

FORT HOOD, Texas – Fifteen Soldiers and one civilian will be honored at a formal retirement ceremony at 10 a.m. Jan. 27 in Club Hood, here.

The senior retiree at the ceremony is Col. Bob Newman, United States Defense Attaché Office, Cairo, Egypt. He will retire after 30 years of service.

Others being honored include:

Lt. Col. Charles S. Walters, Untied States Army Trial Judiciary, 3rd Judicial Circuit, Fort Hood. He will retire after 22 years of service.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jose D.G. Crisostomo, 407th Army Field Support Brigade, Army Sustainment Command, Fort Hood. He will retire after 30 years of service.

Command Sgt. Maj. Henry W. Griffith, Sr., 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood. He will retire after 27 years of service.

1st Sgt. Gilbert M. Stewart, 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood. He will retire after 29 years of service.

Master Sgt. Stanley Owens, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood. He will retire after 27

years of service.

Master Sgt. Joseph M. Lizama, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 41st Fires Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood. He will retire after 25 years of service.

Sgt. 1st Class Guillermo Cajigas-Cruz, Operations Group, Goldminers Team, National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California. He will retire after 22 years of service.

Sgt. 1st Class Randall A. Griange, Fort Hood Mission Support Element, Fort Hood. He will retire after 21 years of service.

Sgt. 1st Class David C. Griswold, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood. He will retire after 30 years of service.

Sgt. 1st Class Julio A. Hinkson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 27th Base Support Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood. He will retire after 21 years of service.

Sgt. 1st Class Gary L. Freeland, 4th Battalion, 5th Air Missile Defense, 69th Air Defense Brigade, Fort Hood. He will retire after 23 years of service.

Sgt. 1st Class Rockie L. Hammons, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood. He will retire after 23 years of service.

Staff Sgt. Dean L. Dinger, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood. He will retire after 30 years of service.

Staff Sgt. Richard E. Estrada, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood. He will retire after 20 years of service.

Mr. Paul S. Racicot, Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Hood. He will retire after 30 years of service.

Media desiring to cover the event should register no later than 5 p.m. Jan. 26 here. For more information, call the III Corps Public Affairs office at

(254) 287-9993 or (254) 287-0106.

FORT HOOD, Texas – Tank Destroyer Boulevard is closed from Clarke Road on Fort Hood to Main Street in Copperas Cove because heavy rain damaged the structural integrity of The Turkey Creek Low Water Crossing, Jan. 25.

Fort Hood Directorate of Public Works Traffic Engineering and Directorate of Emergency Services estimate that it will be closed for 5-6 months. The gate on that route, west of Clarke Road, will also be closed until the road re-opens.

Officials had already planned to close the road in February because the crossing was deteriorating. The overnight rain, expedited the construction plan because the road was deemed no longer safe for travel.

FORT HOOD, Texas – Fort Hood is hosting its first (and the Army's first) multimedia Facebook and TV Town Hall 5-7 p.m. Jan. 26.

At 5 p.m., Fort Hood’s Facebook portion of the town hall will begin taking and answering town hall questions. At 6 p.m., Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr., Fort Hood and III Corps commanding general, Fort Hood Garrison commander, Carl R. Darnall Medical Center commander and Fort Hood housing director will begin a live TV town hall, answering Facebook and call-in questions.

All Facebook queries will be routed and answered by dozens of subject matter experts live during the two-hour session.Their appearance will be broadcast via satellite using DVIDS, a DOD contracted media agency in Atlanta, Ga.

DVIDS will post a live stream of the TV portion on the Internet which will be viewable on the III Corps and Fort Hood Facebook page on a town hall tab at facebook.com/forthood.

Any media network interested in broadcasting it live can download a high definition signal via satellite from DVIDS or post the live stream on their Internet news page. News directors should call DVIDS at (678) 421-6690 for satellite coordinates.

Two local networks (PBS (KNCT) and NBC (KCEN)) have already agreed to air it on their digital channels. It will also air on FortHoodRadio.com and Fort Hood TV Channel 10 in post housing.

For more information, contact the Fort Hood Media Relations office at (254) 287-9993 or at forthoodpresscenter.com.

FORT HOOD, Texas -- The “Dog Whisperer” premiere scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 17 will be held at the Clear Creek PX Food Court instead of its original location at the Palmer Theater.

This episode was filmed entirely at Fort Hood last spring and features three Fort Hood Families and their pets.

Cesar Millan will hold a meet and greet after the showing and will autograph copies of his books and articles of merchandise from his Dog Whisperer line. He will not personalize any items nor pose for staged photographs.

A media availability will be held at the food court at 6 p.m. Media who wish to cover the event should register here. The gate time for the event is at 5:30 p.m. at the visitor's center.

The Fort Hood episode will be air on the National Geographic Channel Jan. 21.

For more information on the filming, see the link below.

By Heather Graham-Ashley, III Corps and Fort Hood

Bird

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died Jan. 1 in Tomball, Texas.

Pfc. Kenneth McDaniel, 23, whose home of record is listed as Tomball, Texas, joined the military in May 2010 as an Infantryman. He was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood since September 2010.

McDaniel deployed in support of Operation New Dawn from February 2011 to November 2011.

McDaniel's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star and Army Service Ribbon.

Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.

There is currently no photo available. If one becomes available, this release will be updated.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died Dec. 29 in Temple, Texas, from injuries suffered from a gunshot wound Dec. 23 in Killeen, Texas.

Spc. Michael Henry Bailey II, 26, whose home of record is listed as Flint, Mich., joined the military in August 2008 as an air traffic control equipment repairer. He was assigned to 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood since June 2010.

Bailey deployed in support of Operation New Dawn from May 2011 to November 2011.

Bailey's awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star and Army Service Ribbon.

Circumstances surrounding this incident are currently under investigation. 

There is no currently no photo available. If one becomes available, this release will be updated.

FORT HOOD, Texas -- At the request of the Fort Hood Range Control, the Natural Resources Management Branch and Nature Conservancy, officials will conduct prescribed burns beginning Dec. 12 through the end of the year here.

The burn area includes the live-fire impact area as well as training areas 47 and 48 which are located on the west side of the installation.

Fort Hood officials, along with Directorates of Public Works and Emergency Services, will have adequate manpower and equipment on the scene to carry out the prescribed burn in a safe and efficient manner.

Subject matter experts from the Natural Resource Management Branch and The Nature Conservancy are conducting the burn. Copperas Cove, Killeen and Fort Hood Fire Departments will provide backup assistance if needed.