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Alpha Company nears completion of tactical combat training; Knight Riders, a uniquely New England company; and Family Connections.
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were in preparation for a nine
day platoon level operational
training set consisting of site
security, screening operations,
and platoon attack. Each of the
platoon leaders and platoon
sergeants were responsible to
work with MPRI to teach their
Soldiers the basics of what it
takes to operate as a mecha-
nized infantry platoon. The
training as a whole has been a
tough learning adventure em-
braced by the Company. ARES
Company is widely known for
its willingness to embrace chal-
lenges and overcome obstacles
and this TCF training was no
exception. The Company is
now preparing to reset to con-
tinue to support the Battalion
convoy escort mission.
Alpha Company TF 3-197
(ARES Co.) is nearing comple-
tion of specialized training as a
Tactical Combat Force (TCF).
Upon completion ARES will be
the first Company in the Task
Force to be trained in one of
the many potential mission
sets directed by the 1st TSC
and the 197th Fires Brigade.
ARES Company started the
training with a weeklong infan-
try based training set getting
its leaders prepared to teach
their squad and platoon mem-
bers how to shoot, move, and
communicate as a cohesive
team with little to no infantry
experience as a whole. The
training consisted of advance
rifle marksmanship, close quar-
ter combat, and team and
squad level movement. This
training package designed by 3-
197 BN and L-3 MPRI was
well received by all of the
ARES soldiers. Week two
was focused on the ARES
leaders training their Soldiers
on the same tasks. The train
the trainer concept empow-
ered the squad and team level
leaders to build stronger rela-
tionships with their Soldiers
while learning all of their
team’s strengths and weak-
nesses. The first two weeks
The beautiful Kuwaiti desert
Sharpening The Tip of the Spear BY: CPT Christopher Thompson
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
B Co
Checks In
2
HHC
supports the BN
2
D Co
“So far so good”
3
C Co
Chimes In
3
Guard
Families
4
TF 3-197 Promotes
50 Soldiers
5
MWR Kicks off
2011 concerts
6
TF 3-197 NEWSLETTER J A N 2 0 1 1 I S S U E 2
S P E C I A L
P O I N T S O F
I N T E R E S T :
Commanders talk
about their units
A Co conducts a
new type of train-
ing
MWR kicks off
2011 USO con-
certs
Left: Soldiers from
2nd platoon ARES
Co. move through
one of the TCF
lanes .
Right: ARES Co.
prepares for move-
ment at the armor
of God.
P A G E 2
B Co TF 3-197 at FT
McCoy WI
HHC Supports the Battalion BY: CPT Heath Huffman
Bravo Co Checks In BY: CPT Michael Butler
Hello fellow friends and
Family of Bravo Company.
I’d like to take this opportu-
nity to discuss what makes
Bravo Company unique.
First the baseline. Bravo
Company is composed of
Rhode Island and New
Hampshire Army National
Guard soldiers. We have
soldiers from Alpha, Bravo
and Charlie BTRY, 1-103rd
FA, RI ARNG, 1207th FSC,
RI ARNG, C BTRY 3-197th
FA (First to Fire), B BTRY
3-197th FA, and HHC 3-
197th FA, all NH ARNG.
Digging one level further,
we actually have Soldiers
coming from all New Eng-
land states except VT. This
gives Bravo Company a unique
opportunity to share experi-
ences with Soldiers from differ-
ent regions, history and life-
styles. Many of us will create
bonds and friendships that will
extend across multiple state
lines.
Bravo Company Soldiers are
settling in very well at Camp
Buehring. Many are taking ad-
vantage of the educational ser-
vices here as well as some
online courses. There’s a nice
gym that many of our Soldiers
are taking full advantage of and
getting into shape, maintaining
their physique or further condi-
tioning themselves. A typical
day runs from 1300hrs to 0100
hrs and consists of various du-
ties from maintenance of equip-
ment to attending training. The
Chow Hall serves four meals a
day and some Soldiers choose
to take advantage of an occa-
sional Subway Sub or a Star-
bucks Coffee. Most Soldiers
have easy access to internet and
there are plenty of phones to
call home with. The PX has all
the essentials and rarely runs
low of supplies. All in all, this
is a pretty good place to live.
It’s an honor to have the oppor-
tunity to serve with the men and
women of B Co, and together
we are doing great things.
KNIGHT RIDERS!!!
works on and the intelligence
the S2 section is scrubbing for,
but no matter the mission, the
troops need financial support
(S1), Medical, Chaplain, etc, so
our job is to be here for your
troops no matter what mission
or issues arise. All of the sec-
tions within HHC are busy and
providing excellent support to
the 3rd Battalion units and
troops.
Above and beyond their regu-
larly scheduled duties, Soldiers
are participating in training that
will enhance themselves and
their careers. At any given time
we have troops going through
Combat Life Saver medic train-
ing, Warrior Leader Course,
independent Higher Education
opportunities and distance
learning classes. Leadership is
highly supportive of Soldiers
taking advantage of this active
For those reading this unfa-
miliar with HHC
(Headquarters Company)
operations, we provide the
support and Battalion man-
agement functions for the
line units (A, B, C and D
Companies). These functions
include S1 (Personnel), S2
(Military Intelligence), S3
(Operations), S4 (Logistics
and Supply) S6
(Communications which in-
cludes computer and net-
working operations) Medical,
Chaplain services and Main-
tenance. One of the interest-
ing aspects of an HHC is that
we are a modular force pro-
viding our same services re-
gardless of the actual mission
the line units are conducting.
Naturally, the mission will
dictate the types of vehicles
the maintenance section
duty time to expand their hori-
zons, so hopefully when they
return home they will be even
more adaptable to “the real
world” than when they left.
Also worth mentioning is that
many of the Soldiers are taking
advantage of our close prox-
imity to the 24 hour gym and
are getting in the best shape of
their lives. The S1 section ran
the Company’s first PT test this
week and I am very happy to
report that all Soldiers who
participated have made excel-
lent improvements in their fit-
ness over the last 4 months.
Our hope is that when we re-
turn your Soldiers to you later
this year, they are in better
mental and physical fitness than
when they left.
CPT Heath Huffman pro-
motes PVT Joshua Giles to
PFC after the recent patch
ceremony
T F 3 - 1 9 7 N E W S L E T T E R
P A G E 3 I S S U E 2
to have time to send them home to visit with families and friends. The Soldiers continue to excel at all tasks they are given and do it without complaint.
MAJ. Hall
We all at Delta Company have remained very upbeat with the mission here in Kuwait and Iraq. Many hours have been spent training and preparing for our mis-sions. Most soldiers love to be on the road doing missions and are very pleased with the equipment and training we have received. The RIP training with the 1-124 IN BN was well organized and gave us all a great start.
We have performed many forma-tions to hand out Promotions and Awards with many more to come. Soldiers take time for themselves and with their teams to break up the rigor of the days on mission by
playing many sports and attending college. There are many things for them to do to occupy their time. Camp Buehring has a lot to offer the Soldiers and leaders.
I would like to thank the families of the Soldiers here who support us all in this tour of duty. Without the support, the mission would be much more difficult !
1SG Miller
Delta Company has been very busy since we got here. The company has completed 12 missions and has driven nearly 47,000 miles in Iraq. The Soldiers are staying busy and being safe. The RIP with 1-124 went very well; all the Hurricane Soldiers were professional and help-ful. We have settled in to a good rhythm. The Soldiers do mainte-nance on their vehicles and equip-ment every week when they are not on missions, as well as training on convoy and other mission related tasks. The Soldiers also have free time and spend it in a variety of ways; some Soldiers are attending college, others play intramural sports, and some volunteer around post .
The leave periods are beginning and everyone is looking forward to com-ing home on leave. The Soldiers have all worked hard and deserve this break. We are fortunate to be able
1SG Miller serves the TF
Christmas dinner.
Delta Co. “So far so good” BY: MAJ Steven Hall
Charlie “Sheppard” Co Chimes In By: CPT Adam Burritt
C Co begins TCF training
are outstanding performers in an outstanding battalion. I couldn't be happier with every Soldier's incredi-ble commitment to the unit and the mission. We're getting ready now to transition into a training period where we will stop conducting mis-sions for a short while. This will give us an opportunity to get some world class training provided by subject matter experts that we would never be afforded back in the States. I just want to impart to everyone back home how proud myself and 1SG Ferland are of all of our Soldiers. These troops in par-ticular have been called on to do something far outside their normal
It's been quite a few months since Charlie Company arrived here at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. We've conducted a Relief in Place with an outstanding unit from the Florida Army National Guard (Thank you Combat Company!). We've con-ducted our Transfer of Authority, officially taking the role of Convoy Escort Security for long haul con-voys into Iraq, had our first taste of combat and risen to the occa-sion. We've been awarded our "Combat Patches" (officially known as Shoulder Sleeve Insignia - Former Wartime Service.) Phew... it’s a lot just thinking about it! The Soldiers of Sheppard Company continue to demonstrate that they
scope of military service, and everyone has done an excellent job not only becoming proficient in their new duties, but excelling
at them.
P A G E 4
Sunset at camp Buehring can
be quite a sight if you can
look past all of the sand
Serving in the Guard A Family Affair
BY: CPT Brian Calhoun
TF3-197 is anything but a
typical National Guard unit.
There are Soldiers from
field artillery units, a signal
unit, a forward support
unit, and distribution and
maintenance companies of
a Support Battalion. This
makes the TF very well
rounded and able to do
many missions well. One
thing in particular that
strikes me as both interest-
ing and as a testament to
the Nation Guard family is
just that, family.
In TF3-197 we have many
sets of siblings including
two sets of twins, several
fathers and sons, an uncle
and niece, cousins, a mar-
ried couple, and many rela-
tives by marriage. What
makes this special also
makes it even more difficult
for the families of these
Soldiers. While the Soldiers
benefit from the close bond
of family to help them
through the deployment,
their families carry a larger
burden than the rest of the
TF. The families of most of
the Soldiers deployed with
the TF have to deal with the
separation from a single
loved one; the families of
these soldiers are dealing
with separation from two
or in some cases more
loved ones. Below is a list
of Soldiers that are cur-
rently deployed with an-
other member of their fam-
ily. I’d like to say thank you
to the families of these
Soldiers for dealing with
the extra burden of having
them here at the same
time.
As any Soldier who is here
or who has ever deployed
can attest, it is far easier on
us being deployed then it is
on our families who are at
home keeping things run-
ning.
(This list is as close as I
could get to complete and I
apologize if I left anyone
out.)
A Co
1SG Scott Canavan (Brother) SFC Matthew Canavan HHB 197th FiB
SPC Anthony Tropea (Twin) SPC Joseph Tropea A Co
SFC Beliveau (Daughter-In-Law) PFC Deslie D Co and (Son) ex-
pected soon as a replacement
B Co
1LT Jeffery Seavey (Brother In-Law) SPC Michael Judkins C Co
PFC Anthony Iapicca (Brother) SGT James Giggey 1207th FSC
SGT Juan Ocampo (Brother) SPC Biran Ocampo B Co
SGT Brandon Westgate (Son) PFC Jordan Westgate A Co
SPC John Turner (Brother) PFC Nicholas Dumont B Co
C Co
SFC Edward Wiggin (Cousin) SGT Darin Briggs C Co
SPC Brandon Hughes (Brother) SPC Cody Leonard C Co
SGT Charles Crocker (Married) SPC Jacinta Guerreiro C Co
SPC Chad Martin (Brother) PV2 Jonathan Brouillard C Co
SPC Kaitlin Rorick (Twin) SGT Anthony Rorick TF 3643rd CCC
PFC Colin Ladd (Brother) PV2 Daniel Ladd D Co
SPC Tyler Mailhot (Cousin) PFC Andre Mailhot D Co
D Co
SFC David Penn (Son) SPC Kenneth Penn C Co
SFC Donald Fortier (Niece) PFC Theresa Fortier D Co
HHC
SGT Gregory Zieroff (Son) SPC Zachary Zieroff
When learning to navigate
the camp everything is based
off of its location from the
water tower.
T F 3 - 1 9 7 N E W S L E T T E R
TF 3-197 Promotes 50 Soldiers By: CPT Brian Calhoun
P A G E 5 I S S U E 2
TF commanders were very busy this past month catching up on promotions that have taken place since the start of the de-ployment. Fifty Soldiers, from all five companies, were pro-moted in separate formations held recently. What that means is one in twelve TF Soldiers are wearing a new rank. The dates listed below next to each name are the Soldier’s new Date of
Rank (DOR). That is the official date they were recognized at their new grade even if the ac-tual pinning on of the new rank took place on a different date. The DOR is used for many things in the Army such as pay, time in grade for seniority over Soldiers of the same grade, and for meeting minimum time in grade requirements before be-ing promotable to the next
grade. Being promoted is always a big deal whether it’s from PVT to PV2 or Captain to Major. Con-gratulations to all of the Sol-diers and keep up the great work.
Promotion List TF 3-197
HHC AYERS, JOHN PV2 to PFC 20101221
HHC GILES, JOSHUA PV2 to PFC 20101113
HHC LACOMBE, RUBENCE PVT to PV2 20101209
A Co. SWAN, NICHOLAS PV2 to PFC 20101026
A Co. ESTAVILLO, BYRON PV2 to PFC 20110106
A Co. PLAISTED, ROBERT PV2 to PFC 20110119
A Co. COMBS, DONALD PFC to SPC 20101223
A Co. NASH, RYAN SPC to SGT 20101208
A Co. COLCORD, RICHARD SPC to SGT 20101214
A Co. MOREL, DANIEL SPC to SGT 20101208
B Co. PAQUIN, ZACHARY PVT to PV2 20101026
B Co. HEINCY, DONALD PV2 to PFC 20101026
B Co. FOURNIER, NICHOLAS PFC to SPC 20101024
B Co. LABONTE, TRENT PFC to SPC 20101026
B Co. LABOSSIERE, MICHAEL PFC to SPC 20101026
B Co. DONOVAN, WILLIAM PVT to PV2 20101026
B Co. HANSON, ERIK PFC to SPC 20101112
C Co. FAUCHER, JARRET PVT to PV2 20101111
C Co. PEACE, BRYAN PVT to PV2 20101102
C Co. LADD, COLIN PFC to SPC 20101213
C Co. JOHNSTON, ETHAN PFC to SPC 20100731
C Co. BROUILLARD, JONATHAN PV2 to PFC 20101028
C Co. BUTLER, GARY PV2 to PFC 20101101
C Co. CHANDLER, JENNIFER PV2 to PFC 20101027
C Co. SOUCY, WILLIAM PV2 to PFC 20101027
C Co. KEY, JEFFREY PFC to SPC 20091219
C Co. SWEENEY, JEFFREY PFC to SPC 20101026
C Co. BELL, KENNETH PV2 to PFC 20101102
C Co. CLARK, JEREMY PV2 to PFC 20101116
C Co. DAY, BENJAMIN PFC to SPC 20101027
C Co. LABELLE, SHAUN PFC to SPC 20101026
C Co. MINARD, TROY PFC to SPC 20101026
C Co. HEATH, JASON PV2 to PFC 20101101
C Co. SADIK, MUSTAPHA PFC to SPC 20110122
C Co. SCHWAB, ANDREW 2LT to 1LT 20101110
C Co. SCHULTZ, HALEY PV2 to PFC 20110119
D Co. DELISILE, MORGANA PV2 to PFC 20101026
D Co. CAREY, ZACHARY PFC to SPC 20101112
D Co. THOMPSON, KEVIN PFC to SPC 20101216
D Co. LADD, DANIEL PVT to PV2 20101109
D Co. BARR, JENSINE PV2 to PFC 20101026
D Co. BURKE, BRIAN PV2 to PFC 20101109
D Co. MAILHOT, ANDRE PV2 to PFC 20101026
D Co. VANWINKLE, CURTIS PV2 to PFC 20101109
D Co. MASON, NICHOLAS PVT to PV2 20101107
D Co. PENN, KENNETH PFC to SPC 20101109
D Co. KAZAKIS, STEVEN PV2 to PFC 20101028
D Co. PLANTIER, MATTHEW PFC to SPC 20101026
D Co. BLAD, ROBERT SFC to MSG 20101216
D Co. HALL, STEPHEN CPT to MAJ 20101216
hands to the beat of the songs. It was
truly great to see the Soldiers and Ma-
rines stationed here having a genuinely
good time. Joan Jett has dedicated a lot
of her time to U.S. Soldiers and for that
I salute her! Here’s to many more years
On Sunday January 9th the MWR concert
series returned to Camp Buehring as
country star Kellie Pickler and rock and
roll legend Joan Jett shared the stage in
front of a large crowd of Soldiers and
Marines. Kellie Pickler wowed the crowd
with her incredible voice and genuine
support for the troops playing several of
her hits including “Best Days of Your
Life” and “Red High Heels” acoustically.
“Red High Heels” was sung as a duet
with a Marine picked from the audience
and let me say I hope he’s a better Ma-
rine than a singer. Joan Jett and a single
Blackheart (Kenny Laguna) closed the
show doing several of her rock hits. As
she took the stage the MC stated this is
her 30th tour with the USO and man can
she still bring it. Soldiers of all ages were
singing along to “I Love Rock and Roll”,
“Crimson and Clover”, and “I Hate My-
self for Loving You” while clapping their
of Joan Jett and to what I hope will be-
come a tradition for Kellie Pickler as well.
I think there’s hope for that because she
and her husband did spend their honey-
moon with several thousand of her fans
here in the desert.
A Rock-N-Country Good Time BY: CPT Brian Calhoun
Joan Jett rocks Camp Buehring
Kellie Pickler belts out some lyrics
during her set
TF 3-197 is made up of several units from
NH including 3rd BN 197th FA, 744th
FSC, A & B COs 3643rd Brigade Support
BN, and 372nd Signal Company. It has
also been augmented by members of 1st
BN 103rd FA, RI ARNG and soldiers from
the 1st BN 124th IN, FL ARNG that vol-
unteered to stay on for another year.
If there is anything you would like to see
in our future issues please contact us and
we will try to oblige.
BRIAN.P.CALHOUN@kuwait.swa.army.mil
AWARDS SGT Jeremiah Crosby - Army Achievement Medal (AAM) SSG Trevor Small - Army Achievement Medal (AAM) SPC Joseph MacDonald - Army Achievement Medal (AAM) SGT Jason Westcott - Army Achievement Medal (AAM)
Stay tuned for more awards in the coming is-sues. They take time to process and we have
several on the way.
CPT Brian Calhoun
HHC TF 3-197
Camp Buerhing, KU APO AE 09330
TF 3-197 Contact Information
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