TF 138 | Big Sky, MT
A note from the Task Force Director…
To all the donors, Big Sky Bravery staff, volunteers, and everyone who made Task Force 138 possible...THANK YOU! Your contributions reflect the true spirit of patriotism—investing in the future and strengthening the fabric of the SOF community. Between the four recipients, there were almost 100 years of military service and commitment to their country. It was a humbling experience to be surrounded by men who had given and continue to give so much for our everyday freedoms.
TF 138 was hosted by two of BSB’s best volunteers, Mark Bradford and Erik Aasheim. These men truly honor the ideals that make our nation great. Furthermore, they exemplify the very spirit of patriotism and community that the recipients of Big Sky Bravery deserve. The most inspiring characteristics of these two are their candor, friendship, and sincere gratitude towards the recipients.
The week was full of sunshine, skiing, meaningful conversations, great meals, and an abundance of laughter. From skiing from the top of the Tram, a helicopter ride, dinner at the Yurt, and going further than any other BSB group on a snowmobile, these were just a few of the highlights from the week. Everyone on TF 138 contributed to the meaningful conversations throughout the week. Some of the funniest stories were shared, and powerful private burdens were told. This only enhanced our brotherhood, which became stronger and stronger every day. As one recipient put it best, “As iron sharpens Iron, one man sharpens another.” This verse became abundantly clear by the weekend. Snowmobiling was memorable, to say the least. The peak of the day was when all members of TF 138 cheered on a recipient to reach the top of a steep incline. After multiple failed attempts and too much laughter watching, the recipient was able to reach the top of the mountain, where he was met with sincere excitement after receiving a little ridicule. The week was capped off with Ed from Canyon Adventures hosting us for an over-the-top crab boil. With some of the biggest crab legs anyone had ever seen and great storytelling, the recipients got to experience just how grateful people are for their service to their country.
To the donors of BSB, through your generosity, we are able to continue such an important mission in giving these warriors peace and restoration. Through the collective efforts of individuals like you, your support ensures that the work can continue to inspire and uplift, creating a lasting impact for generations to come. Thank you for your belief in the ideals that make this country strong. Lastly, thank you to the families of both the recipients and volunteers for allowing them to take time away from their daily lives. I can confidently say this experience has made them become a better man, husband, father, and friend to all.
With patriotic pride,
Chris Voigts
Task Force 138 Director
Volunteers to Thank:
Chris Voigts (Task Force Director)
Mark Bradford (Assistant Task Force Director)
Erik Aasheim
Patriots to Thank:
Ascend Properties
Big Sky Resort
Canyon Adventures
East Slope Outdoors
Mountain Sol Massage
Lone Mountain Ranch
Outdoor Research
Peak Skis
Flaskap
Melissa Ferraro
ANTHEM Snacks//LMNT//Wild Society Coffee
“Thank you to all who are a part of the BSB program.
I truly believe that this program is making a positive impact on the warfighters and their families.
I had worked with each of the 4 members of our cohort at some point in our careers. All of us were at a point of transition in our lives. It was great to spend the days skiing and snowmobiling and to discuss past events and current struggles in the evening. The three volunteers that we had with us truly made the week. The humor and camaraderie from the time they picked us up to the time they dropped us off at the airport is a testament to the men they are. It was a week that I wish I would have taken earlier in my career. This was a once in a lifetime experience, thank you to all who are a part of the BSB program.
-S.”
“I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the incredible experience you've provided. It's challenging to put into words just how impactful this program has been for me.
The generosity displayed by this program, its donors, its volunteers, and its mission truly stands out in the Special Operations Community. It’s not just about the resources; it’s about the deep commitment to those of us who serve.
During that week-long task force, I found a refuge from the high-pressure environment we navigate daily.
For the first time in a long while, I felt the burdens of two decades of service begin to lift.
The stresses that had become a part of my routine started to fade, and I was able to reconnect with myself and my purpose. Upon my return home, I noticed a significant shift in how I engaged with my family and performed at work. The positive changes in my family dynamics were palpable, and I attribute much of this to the time spent in your program. The blend of nightly discussions, camaraderie, and recreation you facilitated created a space where I could truly recharge.
The intangible benefits I’ve gained from this experience are immeasurable and have already made a lasting difference in my life.
I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity you’ve extended to me, and it warms my heart to know there are people like you who genuinely care for those of us serving at the nation’s highest level. Your support means more than you can imagine. This does not accurately describe how awesome the experience was. Thank you again, and may God bless you all.
-J.”
“In doing some self-introspection as I flew home, it was hard to put my thumb on what was behind the magic at BSB. Without a doubt, it was fun, comical, inviting, warm, and challenging, with a level of fellowship I haven’t experienced in the longest of times, even working on such a tight-knit team. While listening to the mass readings that Sunday as I arrived home, it dawned on me.
The week was transformative.
The volunteers, recipients, and the unbelievably dedicated team at BSB all played a role in helping me define my walls so that I can move forward. In Malachi chapter 3, he prophesied about the refiner’s fire.
A week with everyone helped purify a very dull me and brought a shine back that I assumed was gone for good.
Thank you for the opportunity to attend, to the volunteers who took time away from their jobs and families to make the week seamless and comfortable, to the team at BSB for the righteous work they do, and to the donors who made it possible.
In your debt,
-J.”
“I have had the extreme honor of being selected to attend a Big Sky Bravery event in February 2025, and although unable to fully articulate its worth to me, I would be remiss to not take a few moments to try.
Any program, ministry, or opportunity is always reliant on the first component: money. And with any investment or expenditure as good stewards, we are required to ask, “what is the return on investment?”
My answer to anyone thinking of assisting BSB by an investment of time or funds is this; you are directly responsible for saving lives and marriages. You are literally putting a hedge of protection around children and spouses. You are truly putting a tool in a warrior’s hand that allows them to turn back the dial on the things and events that would otherwise if left unchecked, set in motion the path for self-destruction.
While that may seem extreme to some, I have been in Special Operations since 2004, and although I would offer that I am “mostly” stable, established, able to cope, and not a danger or in danger, I believe that for those of us who have been exposed to or participated in events and missions that no one else really knows about or understands. It takes an immeasurable toll on the human mind and body, and the opportunity to be able to go to a location that is truly an example of an almighty place of creation and splendor to just “hit pause” means more and does more than most of society can comprehend. My only regret is that I am unable to look donors in the eye, shake their hand, and express the gratitude of a grateful servant of America.
-T.”
