204TH BRIGADE SUPPORT BATTALION
Rough Rider Connection V O L U M E
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: Farewell from Black Knight FOB Walton: Aerial Resupply Hub
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Greetings families and friends of the Black Knights! It is with some sadness that I depart the Black Knights of which I have been the Commander since May 5, 2010. I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for your support to our Soldiers and your sacrifices as Army Families. The outstanding success of our Soldiers would not be possible without the untiring efforts of their loved ones back home. Thank you for your support, it cannot be overstated.
National Prayer Luncheon Black Knights’ Supply Section Brigade Physical Therapist
If you ask any senior officer in the Army what their favorite assignment is, you will hear the same answer over and over again, Company Command. I could not agree more. There is no other position for an officer where you have the joy of working with Soldiers and accomplishing challenging missions on a daily basis. You are in a position to get to know people, see their talent and skills put to use daily, and make an impact in Soldiers’ lives. I could not be more proud of our Soldiers and the results they have achieved. The Black Knights have much to celebrate upon redeployment. I encourage you to attend the upcoming Rough Rider Ball in July to take part in this celebration. For now there is still much work to be done before we redeploy. Our Soldiers are poised to finish strong and prepare the incoming Brigade Support Battalion for a successful deployment. As we begin preparations to head back home, safety is paramount. We will continue to accomplish missions and make a positive impact until the last day. Once again thank you for your support to our Soldiers. I will relinquish command to Captain Sheila Moffett of Anchorage, Alaska on March 15, 2012. I wish the Black Knights the very best and continued success representing the Rough Rider Battalion. Black Knights—“Deal with it!”
NEWSLETTER STAFF:
CPT Ashlea Cleveland 1LT Betsy Arndt
This newsletter contains official and unofficial information. The inclusion of some unofficial information in this newsletter has not increased the cost to the Government, in accordance with DOD 4525.8-M
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FOB Walton: CTF Warhorse’s Aerial Resupply Hub By First Lieutenant Christine Breckenridge, Alpha Company Public Affairs Representative KANDAHAR, Afghanistan—As Alpha Company continues moving supplies and equipment in support of the Warhorse Brigade, they have quickly taken on the role as an aerial resupply hub. While most of the combined task force’s supplies are pushed via ground convoy, requests for aerial resupply have increased fin the last few months. The Soldiers and Noncommissioned Officers of the Alpha Company Supply Support Activity (SSA) and Distribution Platoons have taken on the challenge of meeting the high number of aerial movement requests. The Assassins have been sling loading everything from lumber to kitchen supplies and Army equipment to the warfighters of Combined Task Force Warhorse. The Assassins have also supported the Afghan National Army (ANA) by sling loading multiple vehicles and equipment in support of the
ANA’s operations. Aside from the excitement of physically sling loading the supplies, there is a lot of planning, building, and math that goes into a successful sling load operation. Once Staff Sergeant Christopher Lewis and Staff Sergeant Jesse Payton receive an aerial movement request, they must determine the most efficient way to build the load. They weigh, measure, and build the loads based on regulations and limits to transport. The NCOs and Soldiers must know an array of techniques of load preparation based on the aircraft that will be delivering supplies and the terrain where the supplies are being delivered. They have become confident in their skills and are constantly adapting to the warfighter’s needs. SSG Lewis said it best, “We do our job so they can do their job.” Assassins! Roll Hard!
Above: Soldiers of Alpha Company prepare loads for aerial resupply. Lower right: A Cargo Helicopter (CH)-46 prepares to hover for hook up and sling load transport.
Rough Riders Host the RC-South National Prayer Luncheon KANDAHAR, Afghanistan—On February 6, 2012 the Rough Riders proudly hosted a Prayer Luncheon for Regional Command - South (RC-S) and Combined Task Force Warhorse at Forward Operating Base Walton in Kandahar, Afghanistan. In attendance were the chaplains from United States Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A), RC-S and CTF Warhorse and many Soldiers and leaders from the region. The motivational guest speaker was Colonel (Retired) Danny McKnight who was the Battalion Commander of Task Force Ranger during the well-known October 1993 operation in Mogadishu, Somalia depicted in the movie Blackhawk Down. The luncheon consisted of times of worship with the FOB’s worship and praise band and prayer followed by a motivational message by COL (RET) McKnight. The luncheon raised the overall morale and spiritual resiliency of the attendees.
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Rough Rider Supply Excellence - A way of life for our supply personnel By Specialist Natasha Gaskins, Bravo Company Public Affairs Representative
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan—As with any battalion in the Army, the Rough Riders function smoothly because multiple tasks are constantly being executed simultaneously. The companies of the 204th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) is comprised of numerous sections to complete company operations. One of these sections is supply. Each company in the battalion is responsible for millions of dollars worth of equipment which is managed by the supply section of that company, but the responsibility of Army Property remains in the hands of each company commander. All companies have a property book which lists all of the equipment that each company owns and uses. While deployed, the supply sections must account for two property books. One property book is all of the items that were brought from Fort Carson and the other property book contains the items that were in place upon the unit’s arrival and remains in Afghanistan, Theatre Provided Equipment (TPE). “Having two property books is a challenge, but knowing that my job is never complete gives me that daily challenge that I love to have,” says Corporal Lakisha Thomas, Bravo Company’s Supply Sergeant. Since the company commander doesn’t directly use most of the equipment, he or she will pass down the responsibility of items on the property book to some of the Soldiers in the company through a subhand receipt. Usually a sub-hand receipt holder is a platoon leader, ROUGH
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platoon sergeant or other Noncommissioned Officer. Once the responsibility for the equipment is passed down, they become liable and must keep accountability of every item on their individual hand receipt which holds them financially accountable for any lost items. The Bravo Company Supply Section works to ensure that all the equipment on Bravo Company’s property books is accounted for at all times. Together with the Bravo Company Commander, this team knows where all property is located to assist in monthly inventories with the commander. If there is any equipment or components missing, the Supply Section maintains shortage annexes so those items can be ordered and replaced. Bravo Company Supply not only helps the Commander and hand receipt holders, but they also every Soldier in the Company. Each Soldier is responsible for their individual clothing and equipment (TA-50), because most of the items that are issued will be turned back in and is considered Army Property. Soldiers are financially liable for their issued gear and a Statement of Charges will be used for clothing and equipment not accounted for. The supply section manages Operational Clothing and Individual Equipment records through the platoon sergeant who conducts individual inventories of their Soldiers’ items. Accountability is a major factor in the daily obligations of the supply section of Bravo Company, but they also ensure that all the equipment listed on the property book and hand receipts is accurate. All numbers and quantities must correlate with the numbers listed on the property book and hand receipts. If any of the numbers are incorrect, an Administrative Adjustment Report must be completed so that any discrepancies can be resolved immediately. The Supply Team also assists in transfer
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and turn-in of equipment to ensure excess equipment that the unit does not need goes to a unit that can use it. Bravo Company Supply also participates in weekly S-4 meetings. The meetings with 204th BSB’s S-4 NCOIC, Sergeant First Class Craig Yates, keeps the supply sections in the BSB up to date on any new changes in the world of Army supply and unit operations. Company supply sections must communicate with SFC Yates at all times to ensure oversight on accountability and accuracy of the property books. Supply sections are also responsible for ensuring that items utilized by Soldiers everyday are available for use. Many types of materials are ordered through supply so Soldiers can effectively execute their daily tasks. These items are maintained and secured in a supply room where the Supply Specialists can accurately manage usage levels and ensure proper limits are being enforced, minimizing fraud, waste and abuse. Bravo Company recently received a Command Supply Discipline Program (CSDP) inspection in which they excelled. The CSDP is a program where all operations of the Supply Section are analyzed. Bravo Company Supply received a 100% for overall accuracy. “CSDP is a great program, every Soldier in Supply should operate in conjunction with the standards of the CSDP,” says CPL Thomas. Bravo Company is proud of the accomplishments and standards of its supply section. All functions of supply are essential to ensure no unnecessary loss of equipment, which costs remarkable amounts of money for the Army and taxpayers. Bravo Company Supply doesn’t take this task lightly and continues to make sure that all equipment is accounted for and accurate. “I feel needed at all times and it feels great to help people,” says CPL Thomas.
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Cobra Spotlight: Warhorse Brigade Physical Therapist By Captain Samantha Wood, 2nd Brigade Combat Team Physical Therapist KANDAHAR, Afghanistan—I would like to introduce myself, CPT Samantha Wood, the new Physical Therapist for the Warhorse Brigade. I was born and raised in El Campo, Texas, where I grew up doing all the things you might imagine Texans doing (ie. hunting, fishing, shooting rifles). One could say that I started “basic training” very young as my step-father served the Army for 42 years as an enlisted member. My step-father lived the Army values every single day of his career and I feel it was a wonderful gift that he passed on to me. I left my hometown in 2003 to run distance for the Lipscomb University cross country and track teams (Nashville, TN). Upon completing my B.S. degree in Exercise Science, I wasn't entirely sure what field I wanted to continue studying. So I moved back to Texas and spent the following year working as a movie theater projectionist and alligator skinner (this is NORMAL in Texas). During this time I also began racing marathons and ultramarathons and volunteering with the local high school cross country team. It was a huge year of growth for me personally and gave me the resolve to commit to the next stage
of my life (and $7.50/hr skinning alligators wasn't exactly my idea of a career). In March 2008, I was accepted into the US Army-Baylor Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy at Fort Sam Houston and soon after commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. The program is 31 months in length & includes 18 months didactic, publishing/ defending research, a comprehensive oral examination, a 1-year internship, and obtaining a state license to practice. I completed the program in August 2011 and was assigned to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. As a very passionate runner, I have raced everything from 1 mile to 50 miles. I am also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and CrossFit enthusiast. In 2008 I ran my best marathon of 3:02:13 and am still working to break the infamous 3hour mark. I competed with the Women's All-Army Marathon team at the Marine Corps Marathon in 2010 & 2011 as well as the Fort Sam Houston 10-miler team in 2009 & 2010. One of my more proud accomplishments, however, was to help organize the First-Annual Selma-Schertz "Salute to Service Members" 5k in San Antonio, TX in 2011. This event raised funds for the organization Operation Comfort, which provides recreational op-
portunities to our wounded warriors and financial assistance to their families. As an annual event, this race will bring awareness and support to our recovering servicemen and women for years to come. With that said, I am privileged to be a part of this Brigade and look forward to serving our Soldiers and providing the best healthcare in the world. "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." - Robert Louis Stevenson Right Photo: CPT Samantha Wood competing in one of many races, the Army TenMiler.
Left Photo: CPT Wood in the Physical Therapy Clinic at FOB Walton.