Volume 1, Issue 7 Special points of interest: Rear Detachment Contact Information, p. 13 Squadron Family Events, p. 15 Family Resources, p. 15
Inside this issue: Hell Rider
3
Arikara
5
Bear
7
Comanche
9
MICO
11
Rear Detachment
13
Family Readiness
15
Chaplain
17
December 2012
BLACKHAWK COMMAND UPDATE What It All Means Happy Holidays to the ENTIRE BlackHawk family! This marks the final deployed newsletter for Combined Task Force BlackHawk - it is both a period of excitement and reflection. As this is written, the leading edge of the Task Force has redeployed to Joint Base LewisMcChord, and we are welcoming our brother Cavalrymen from the 6th Squadron of the 1st Cavalry Regiment of Blackhawks into the Task Force fold. The advent of the Holidays and our redeployment gives us an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments, sacrifice, and resiliency of the BlackHawk Squadron during our tenure in Kandahar City and southern Afghanistan. I once saw a quote written on the board of a senior officer which stated: “Change in Afghanistan is a constant... progress on the other hand...!”. In my humble opinion, the PROGRESS made in Kandahar City along efforts of security and governance has been pronounced and noticeably positive over the Task Force's tenure. We have moved from a position of being the 'driver of stability' in Kandahar City, to our partners in the Afghan Uniformed Police boldly stepping into that role asserting their competence and independence. We have moved from 'enable' to 'overwatch'. Continued...
“Saddle Up”
LTC Patrick Michaelis HAWK 6
CSM Daniel Neary HAWK 7
COMMANDER’S UPDATE
This movement towards independence in the Afghan Uniformed Police, and an independence within the Kandahar City Municipality, could have only come through the combined efforts of two other teams within the Kandahar City Municipality, could have only come through the combined efforts of two other teams within the Kandahar City battle space. Our teammates in the 503rd Military Police Battalion brought to our Afghan Partners the knowledge and experience of true community-based policing. Our State Department brothers in the Kandahar City District Support Team worked diligently everyday to foster an institution of government within Kandahar City that is resilient and representative of all Kandaharies. Yet, in every endeavor worth fighting for, there is sacrifice. In the time of Holidays, we resolve never to forget our fallen: Mr. Tom Boyle. SPC Brittany Gordon. SFC Nelson Trent. The burden of their loss will never be forgotten. Their memory will forever be a part of our history. As we celebrate the Holidays, we all look forward to reunion with our loved ones. We do so with pride in our accomplishments. We do this with humility, and with honor knowing that we served as protectors in the country where 9/11 began. This is what it all means. I, and my battle buddy, Command Sergeant Major Neary, want to thank you all for your service in a time of war, and the sacrifice you've all given on behalf of a grateful nation. During this Holiday season, we huddle together as a family... as a family of BlackHawks... so very grateful to celebrate together. All American - Rock of the Marne - Lancers - BlackHawks. Animo Et Fide. Hawk 6
“Saddle Up”
HELL RIDER UPDATE Volume 1, Issue 7
December 2012
I hope this email finds you all happy, healthy and excited for our upcoming
return. We are in the midst of the holiday season and although we are away from all of you, we carry you with us everywhere we go. The Christmas music has started playing in our DFAC and decorations have gone up (they even set up reindeer). As much as we long to be there with all of you, rest assured we have our family here to remind us what the season is all about. Our Troopers are staying busy and are determined to finish strong as we near the end of the tour. A lot of the focus for this month has been on redeployment and the upcoming relief in place with the next unit. With that come lots of property inventories, container packing, and product development as we hope to set up our successors with all the information they will need to be successful. In addition to that, we have started to assign barracks at JBLM, and proof awards and NCOERs for soldiers quickly departing WA via PCS/ETS after our 90 day stabilization period. It has been busy to say the least, but productivity makes the days go by faster and inevitably gets us closer to all of you. We continue to provide Camp Nathan Smith base defense, the Kandahar City focused targeting force, logistical support, maintenance support, and the personal security detachment for the Squadron. Our troopers are amazing and will accomplish any and every task they receive. You would all be very proud. At the end of November we conducted Operation Northern Hawk in an effort to disrupt an enemy safe haven in the mountains NW of Kandahar City. With over 75 members of HellRider Troop and another 50 involved in the planning, we successfully completed the mission and denied the enemy freedom of movement in a previously permissive location. Our trooper’s endurance and stamina was impressive and proved to me that they can handle any mission thrown their way. Also, this month we promoted 1LTs Beckman, Crow, Taylor and Dawkins to CPT, SPCs Drake, Lawrence, Lewis, Ortiz, and Schutz to SGT, and PFCs Colledge, Hillison, and Owona to SPC. Additionally, we conducted reenlistments for SSG Gusta, SGT Baumiller, SPC Johns and SPC Strickland of Arikara red Platoon as well as SPC Jones from the Medical Platoon. This is a big win for the Army as we retain some phenomenal Soldiers and NCOs from HellRider Troop. Check out the facebook page for pictures of these events (titled DECEMBER IN KANDAHAR). Just last week a few members of HellRider Troop conducted the infamous Ghecko mountain climb and hoisted the Troop guidon to new heights. Together we all reached the summit in about 45 minutes and took the opportunity to snap a few photos with flags of our favorite teams, states, or Troop. Check out the facebook page for pictures (titled SITFRG Corner TING ON A MOUNTAINTOP). Those photos were some of the last to be added to the Troop Deployment Video. I have seen the preview and am Contact the FRG: excited for the release to the Troop on Christmas Day. Sitting at about hellriderfrg@gmail.com 20 minutes, our goal is to link it to our facebook page by Christmas as a Walk to Afghanistan Miles: gift to all of you back home. 7,270 http://www.facebook.com/#/HellRiderTroop I am honored to command Hellrider Troop. I appreciate the perseverance and patience you have all endured throughout this long journey. Please stay strong and know the warm embrace we have been saving for you these past 9 months is on the horizon. Thank you for your continued support and happy holidays! Hell Rider 6 CPT Tyler Patterson HELL FOLLOWS!
“Saddle Up”
HELL RIDER UPDATE
ARIKARA UPDATE Volume 1, Issue 7
December 2012
Greetings from Shah Wali Kot, Afghanistan (FOB Frontenac) to the families and friends of Arikara Troop and the Blackhawk Squadron! This month we would like to give you a special Newsletter coming directly from the Platoons. Enjoy the updates! - RED PLATOON (1st) Dear Family, Friends and Supporters of 1st Platoon Arikara Troop, I want to start by thanking you for your unwavering and generous support. There has been at least one and usually multiple packages at each mail pick-up. Furthermore, I constantly see and hear the platoon talking to you all daily on Skype or Facebook. Your support has been the greatest gift you could have given and does not go unnoticed! Most days you can find the platoon watching movies together in the MWR or at the gym. Many are practicing and playing Texas Hold’em, and they play weekly in the camp tournament at the USO. Someone from the platoon has taken 1st place in the tournament five times so far, and multiple final table showings. Also, some of the younger Soldiers have been playing the new X-Box games. Thank you once again for your support, Merry Christmas and if you need anything please do not hesitate to contact me. 1LT Benjamin Sbenji88@gmail.com - WHITE PLATOON (2nd) White Platoon’s Soldiers have had many accomplishments this deployment and many recently; SPC Pithia and PFC Ellis were awarded coins from Major General Abrams the Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, for their hard work and dedication during the support of our Afghan partners first planned, coordinated and executed Air Assault (They even used their own Helicopters!). PFC Rodriguez was awarded a Squadron coin for his hard work and dedication as the gunner of the Platoon Leaders Truck. During this deployment SGT Phillips and SPC Fields were both sent to the board and both were successful. SPC Fields officially joined the NCO Corps when he was promoted to SGT on 1 December. At the beginning of this month PV2 Ellis was promoted to PFC. SPC Mitchell reenlisted in November with 1LT Kuhn there to administer the Oath. We are looking forward to redeployment and being able to see our friends and families. SFC Packard and I are very proud of the Platoon’s Soldiers and thank you for your support of them this deployment. 1LT Rugg - BLUE PLATOON (3rd) To the friends and family of Arikara Blue from Blue 1 and Blue 4, Blue 1 - As the new Platoon Leader, Blue 1, I would like to just tell a little about myself. I hail from the small town of St. Maries Idaho (The part of the state without the potatoes). I have been in the Squadron for almost two years now but being part of Arikara Blue is an opportunity I am excited to undertake. I take a lot of pride and honor in leading this Platoon and being part of this family and continue to be astounded by the strength and dedication that these Soldiers show every day. Blue 4 - Good things are happening in Blue with the promotion of SGT Klipp and SGT Lee showing that hard work does pay off. Also our continued prayers and support to the Fernandez family as SPC Fernandez continues to be recovering at BAMC in San Antonio. It was great news to hear he was well enough to spend his 21 st birthday with his family. You can visit his website and see the amazing progress he is making during his recovery at the link below. www.supportmarcfernandez.com FRG Corner The Platoon continues to patrol both dismounted and mounted in the Acackzo Soznay region of Shah Wali Kot District. We focus on joint patrols with our Afghan National Contact the FRG: Army counterparts and engaging the population to bring security to the local villages arikaratroopfrg@gmail.com while securing the main route. It will not be long, however, until we will be conducting a battle handover to the next US unit, so we are working hard to create successful con- Walk to Afghanistan Miles: 16,413 ditions for our incoming brothers. We have, however, been able to take an evening off to grill out with some marinated steaks, some dark cigars, and some very near beer. It was good times to allow the guys to reflect on their accomplishments, forget their worries, and play some “Top Gun” style beach volleyball. Happy Holidays and Thank You for your continued support!
“Saddle Up”
ARIKARA UPDATE - HQs PLATOON The headquarters platoon continues to be the backbone of the Troop by maintaining all aspects of our mission, and keeping command and control. SSG Berner, SSG Rice, SPC Wray, and SPC Primeaux have braved the command post operations since we have been in country and continue to do an amazing job with daily operations. SGT Powers and SPC Arthur continue to work with the commander during all operations, and endure long nights of endless stories while sleeping in the vehicle out on patrols. Everyone in this platoon has pulled more than their weight and performed above par. 1SG and I could not be prouder of our headquarters and the accomplishments these Soldiers have made. Season’s Greetings and we wish you a very Merry and Happy Holidays from Afghanistan! “HORNS UP FRONT!" CPT Anthony L. Williams Arikara 6
1SG Rennes G. Weimer Arikara 7
BEAR UPDATE Volume 1, Issue 7
December 2012
This month we've continued to drive forward and accomplish great things here in ANCOP and Kandahar City. As you all know, I went to visit White PLT up at Frontenac with A TRP a couple weeks ago. It was great to see the guys and hang out with them again. They've been doing amazing things and performed exceptionally during a major mission the other week. I also got to see White PLT today and was blessed to have the privilege to promote Sam Farmer and Matt Castellano to the rank of SGT. Congratulations on a well deserved promotion and a job well done! Speaking of promotions, 3 other Troopers will be promoted to SGT in a couple days: Joseph Wilson, Gregorii Whittemore, and Daniel Peterson. Additionally, Christopher Monnier was promoted to SPC and Timothy Mckenna and Matthew Macdonald were promoted to PFC. Finally, SPC Dicillo, SPC Seward, SPC Medelas, and SGT Parnass all decided to reenlist. Outstanding job, gentlemen, and thank you to the families back home who supported them in their success! The Troop celebrated Thanksgiving together this past week and it was a great opportunity to spend time together and relax as a Troop. The SCO and CSM visited the Troopers in the morning and showed their appreciation for all of their hard work. This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for all of the love and support that you continue to show our Troopers, I'm thankful for the honor and privilege of leading this incredible group of men, and I'm thankful that while I may not be at home with my relatives, I'm still among family, my brothers, celebrating Thanksgiving in Afghanistan. As Christmas comes upon us, I know the wait will get harder. However, just like over Thanksgiving, know that you are in our hearts and we are, like you, anxiously awaiting FRG Corner our returns to you, and while we may not be with our families back home, we are still among family here. In other news, we have dug into the mail issues that you have Contact the FRG: brought up and are beginning to resolve them one step at a time. Beartroop81@gmail.com Thank you for bringing me these concerns and rest assured that I am Bear Troop FaceBook: working hard to fix it. As we get closer and closer to our return, rewww.facebook.com/ beartroopfrg81 member to stay tied in with the FRG for flight and welcome home ceremony information. They are putting out a lot of good information Adopt a Bear Program: to counteract all the rumors, so remember, don't consider it ground An opportunity to support a Bear Troop Soldier, selected truth unless it comes from the FRG or me, via the Facebook page. at random, by writing letters Still, with all the information coming out, things WILL change, espe- and sending packages. For cially flight dates and ceremony times. I ask for your understanding more information, see the Bear Troop FaceBook page and patience as we continue to work through this together. (above), or contact the FRG. Bear Troop Family, we are almost done! Keep strong, keep Walk to Afghanistan Miles: supporting each other, and keep us in your prayers. Almost home! 20,699 BEAR CAV! v/r, Terron Wharton CPT, AR Commanding B TRP, 8th Squadron, U.S. Cavalry
“Saddle Up�
1st
BEAR UPDATE
COMANCHE UPDATE Volume 1, Issue 7
December 2012
Dear Friends and Family of Comanche Troop, This will be the last time that I formally write you from Afghanistan! The other day the Troop leadership stood on the summit of Gecko Mountain, a 1000-ft. rock outcropping and dominant terrain overlooking Kandahar City and the Arghandab River Valley. As the sun rose, I couldn’t help but smile as I overlooked the Provincial decisive terrain that Comanche Troopers spilled blood and sweat in over the past nine months. In May, Comanche Troop assumed authority of the most contested area of Kandahar City. Over the course of four short months, Comanche Troopers taught, coached, and mentored their AUP partners to take the lead and independently provide security to the citizens of Sub -District 7. Our success was critical in the Squadron’s, Brigade’s, and Division’s effort to reduce the ISAF footprint in the city while simultaneously allowing the Kandahar City AUP to demonstrate their self-sufficiency. In September, the Troop received a change of mission. After closing three combat outposts, the Troop consolidated on FOB Walton on the far eastern side of the city and assumed “ownership” of the eastern half of the city. In addition to continuing to provide support to the AUP, the Troop demonstrated its proficiency as a “contingency force,” ready to reinforce operations throughout the Lancer operating environment. Throughout October and November, the Troop supported three operations in Khakrez district and embraced the decentralized nature of those operations. Comanche Troopers understood the Brigade and Squadron Commander’s intent and desired end state and executed with confidence and audacity. The results of these operations allowed the Brigade to maintain operational momentum into the winter as the enemy continued to backpedal. As the new year approaches, we are a mere days away from returning home with honor. But, our mission is not over. As professionals and Troopers of honor, we are obligated to prepare Bruiser Troop, 6-1 CAV to assume our mission and maintain the momentum that we have fought hard to gain and maintain. The mark of our success will ultimately be determined by the success of our predecessors in Bruiser Troop. There is no doubt in my mind that Comanche Troopers will continue to demonstrate that we are protectors and Troopers of honor. We FRG Corner earned the respect of all of those we worked with – ISAF, ANSF, and the Afghan populace alike. We will set the example for our incoming BlackContact the FRG: hawk brothers, allowing them to maintain the momentum. comanchetroopFRG@gmail.com Be assured that the sacrifices your Troopers have made have not gone unnoticed and the progress that we have seen in our Afghan partners Comanche FaceBook Page: www.facebook.com/ is incredible. Comanche Troopers will soon return with honor and you ComancheTroop8.1CAV should all be proud of what they have done in the service of America and “Like” our page to receive upAfghanistan – protecting those who are too weak to protect themselves. I dates from the Commander and to view pictures of the Troop. am proud to be a Lancer and a Blackhawk, and I am damn-proud to be a Comanche Trooper. Walk to Afghanistan Miles: I thank all of you for your continued service and support, and will 4,469 see you soon! “Honor” Clint T. Edwards Brandon Petersen CPT, AR 1SG, USA Commanding Troop First Sergeant
COMANCHE UPDATE
MOJAVE UPDATE Volume 1, Issue 7
December 2012
Soldiers, Families, and Friends of the 572nd Military Intelligence Company, After more than eight months in Afghanistan the Soldiers of the MICO are preparing for our journey home. After many thousands of miles traveled, hundreds of combat missions conducted on the ground and in the air by our Soldiers, and thousands of pieces of intelligence gathered and disseminated by our analysts, the 572nd MI Company is preparing to return home with honor, our mission having been an overwhelming success. This time of the year, during Christmas and New Years, is often used for reflection as one year comes to a close another begins. It seems very fitting that our deployment to Afghanistan should end at the same time and allow us time to reflect on our accomplishments, our lessons learned, and our losses. We have seen much progress be made in our time here in Kandahar Province, progress that has set the conditions for our successors to take the lead in the coming weeks and continue the mission. The millions of citizens of Afghanistan have a much brighter, hopeful future thanks in part to the efforts of our Soldiers, as do the 300 million Americans living at home and abroad. In the coming days, the Company and Squadron will celebrate Christmas and New Years together here in Afghanistan alongside our counterparts from 1-1 AD out of Fort Bliss, TX. Many of us will share countless memories of past holidays spent with Friends and Families back home, and memories spent with them while deployed. While we may be thousands of miles away and not able to be alongside our loved ones, the bonds that are shared by our Soldiers here in wartime are as strong as those at home. It is this camaraderie that has kept Soldiers safe mentally, physically, and spiritually throughout the last eight months of our deployment. While we would wish to spend every moment of the holidays with you, our hearts and prayers are always with you and soon we will all be reunited back home. I would like to thank the countless Family members and Friends of Mojave Company for their tireless devotion to the Soldiers and the unit while we have been away. Your words of encouragement, care packages, and prayers have carried us through that many challenges we face while deployed and ensured that those serving along side of us remain safe and can return home to their Families. I would also like to thank the FRG Corner members of our Family Readiness Group for their selfless service to the Company and the Squadron these past months for maintaining Contact the FRG: communications with Families back home, organizing events and mico572frg@gmail.com gatherings in the local community, and being an invaluable part of MICO FaceBook Page: our team. https://www.facebook.com/ We look forward to seeing all of you in the next several weeks pages/572-MICOas we make our long journey home and are reunited with you back at FRG/206715606061075 Joint Base Lewis-McChord. I wish you, your Family, and Friends a Walk to Afghanistan safe and Happy Holidays and joyous New Year. Miles: 45,270 Sincerely, JOSHUA M. BAL CPT, MI Commanding
“Saddle Up�
MOJAVE UPDATE
REDHAWK UPDATE Volume 1, Issue 7
Rear Detachment CPT Stephen Schwartz Rear Detachment Commander (651) 246-2095 Stephen.Schwartz1@ us.army.mil SFC Kirk Alcorn Rear Detachment First Sergeant Kirk.Alcorn@us.army.mil (360) 701-9723 8-1 Cav Staff Duty (253) 966-8307* no longer answered 24/7, only regular business hours Brigade Staff Duty: 253-967-6443 (answered 24/7) Emergencies
December 2012
Greetings BlackHawk Family, It’s December and the end of the deployment is nearing. We’ve already received the Torch and Advon flights, and we’re anxiously awaiting the rest of our Troopers’ return. Congratulations to you all for not only surviving, but also thriving during these past 9 months. As we prepare for the redeployment of all our Soldiers, we ask that you make sure the FRG has the correct contact information for you. Please call 253-967-1493 or visit http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/ form/0zt0Jf1ej80aapyD6Xc if you need to change your phone number, address, or email. As you continue to prepare for your Soldier’s return, we encourage all spouses to attend a Reintegration Conference on either January 8th or January 10th. For more information and to register, visit http:// reintegrationconference.eventbrite.com/. Redeployment Flights: Our current plan for telling you when your Soldier returns is to call you twice. Once with an approximate arrival date, and then again when your Soldier is actually JBLM bound. However, while that is our goal, we cannot control when we receive information from down range and Brigade. We will do our best to keep you informed. It has been an honor serving as your Rear Detachment Commander, and 1SG Alcorn and I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Sincerely, Redhawk 6 Stephen Schwartz CPT, MI Commanding
Sexual Assault Reporting/Victim Advocates 253-966-SAFE (7233) National Suicide Prevention 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Army Emergency Relief (AER): 253-976-9852
“Saddle Up”
REDHAWK UPDATE
FAMILY READINESS UPDATE Volume 1, Issue 7
Resource Roundup
8-1 Cav FaceBook Page www.facebook.com/8SQDN1CAV Out of Town Link http://www.emailmeform.com/ builder/form/0zt0Jf1ej80aapyD6Xc Virtual FRG (vFRG) www.armyfrg.org (For registration instructions, ask your FRG or the FRSA) Child and Youth Services www.jblmmwr.com/CYS 253-967-CYSS BDE Military Family Life Consultant Mrs. Alexandria Horton (253) 363-6973 2ndMFLC@gmail.com Madigan Child and Family Assistance Center (CAFAC) 253-968-4843 MAMC Annex, Bldg. 9923A
December 2012
1. Are you ready for your soldier’s return? To learn more about the homecoming flights, what a healthy reintegration looks like, and for more detailed information and preparation, please register (at least 8 days in advance) for a Reintegration Conference at: http://reintegrationconference.eventbrite.com/ Upcoming dates: January 8th and 10th 2. 8-1 CAV Ball Who: Friends and Family of 8-1 CAV When: Thursday, February 21st, 2013 Where: Hotel Murano, Tacoma, WA Tickets on sale now at the Squadron Building, Mon-Fri 930am-4pm (Dec. 26th-January 4th from 9:30am to 11:30am) E1-E4: $35/ticket E5-E6: $45/ticket E7-O3: $55/ticket O4+: $60/ticket Or, online purchasing for a few extra dollars: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4740215111#
Financial Readiness 253-967-1453 Rear Detachment Mrs. Laura Meeks Family Readiness Support Assistant M-F, 8:30-5, and by appointment (253) 967-1493 Laura.O.Meeks.civ@mail.mil 2LT Walt Ames Family Readiness Liaison M-F, 9:30-4:30 (253) 967-1493 Chaplain CPT Barry Malone 253-651-3069
2013
Staff Duty (253) 966-8307* Only answered during regular business hours BDE Staff Duty: 253-967-6443 (answered 24/7) Emergencies Sexual Assault Reporting/Victim Advocates 253-966-SAFE (7233) National Suicide Prevention 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Army Emergency Relief (AER): 253-976-9852
“Saddle Up”
FAMILY READINESS UPDATE
CHAPPY’S CORNER
Tis the season, isn’t it? The Holiday Season always reminded me that the deployment was coming to an end. I marked it on my calendar as a reminder that soon I would be home. Being called to serve comes at a cost. It means having to endure during the time of separation. Few in this world will ever know what we all go through. And for those who have loved ones deployed are as much apart of the fight as their Soldiers. We also know that greatest part of a fight is the victory. That victory is within sight. Soon our Soldiers will be getting home. Soon we will all be reunited with the ones we love. What does that mean for you back at home? It will be a time of readjustment and reintegration. One of the hardest parts of coming home for me was going from Afghanistan one day to my couch the next. It was a culture shock that I wasn’t prepared for. Luckily, I have a wife who understood that. She gave me the space I needed so I could adjust to the change. Being our first deployment, this was all new territory, and we had to learn as we went. If I could pass on some advice to you, I would say give your love ones time to adjust. Don’t expect them to jump back into things as though they never left. Allow them to ease back into a normal routine. I am sure things have changed for you, and they will also have to adjust to those changes as well. Don’t pressure them into talking about deployment before they are ready. It took me some time before I was ready to open up about what happened to me. It is hard to explain what we have seen and what we have been through. But given time, your loved ones should be ready to talk about their experiences. Enjoy your Holiday. Have a wonderful Christmas. Soon the ones you love so much will be home and you will be reunited. It is closer than you think! May the Lord bless and keep you! Merry Christmas!! Chappy.