Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
To the Families and Friends of the Vanguards,
September marks the half way point of our 12 month deployment to Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, and the Soldiers are still at a running pace accomplishing amazing things each and every day. The weather here is slowly breaking from the 110 degree heat to the low 100 degree mark and we did see a forecast yesterday that reads below 100 degrees – significant because that is the first day since mid-May that the mercury reading is double digits. A very welcome relief.
August 1 began the month of Ramazan (timed with the new moon and lunar cycle). The Afghan National Army (ANA), the Afghan National Police (ANP), and the locals fasted during the day, increased their prayer times, and usually took half days during this religious month. The Battalion hosted an Iftar Dinner with our ANA on 20 Au-gust with the primary staff, Company Commanders, and primary staff of the Vanguards and the commanders and primary staff of the ANA Garrison Support Unit (GSU). Iftar dinners are the evening meals in the month of Ramazan where the Muslims break their daily fast and Muslims believe that feeding someone Iftar as a form of charity is very rewarding and that it was practiced by Prophet Muhammad. The ANA brought fruit dates, a lamb curry dish, and flat bread and we brought beef patties, French fries, salads, chicken wings, and ice cream. Turns out that Afghans love mint chocolate chip – Who knew?
All of the Companies continue to enable and support the BCT in all missions. A Co continues to provide Engi-neer support throughout the AO. Sappers are involved in all combat operations, clearing enemy positions, build-ing roads, and improving force protection at outlying combat posts. The engineers are always working hard but “Sapper” is happiest when they are conducting the operations – this company is the most requested unit in the BCT. B Co continues to focus and target the enemy with great accuracy. They continue their accident free fly-ing of the UAS and have greatly improved the facility at the flight line and are on track to eclipse every other BCT in country total flying hours. C Co has continued to support the BCT with communications and have recently developed plans to visit all COPs on the battlefield for training and maintenance of key communication gear. HHC BCT provides support in everything to the BCT Staff and provides outstanding support and leadership at the Field Detention Site.
Last newsletter CSM Johnson told you about the transformation on FOB Pasab for Force protection improve-ments to include concrete barriers, bunkers, and other improvements that increase the safety of everyone living on FOB Pasab. HHC continues this work everyday and we are never satisfied that we are complete – always improving our foxhole. Since last newsletter there were several improvements to include new guard towers, ad-ditional barriers around the perimeter and several upgrades at each of our entry points. The Hurricanes work on this is truly amazing and never ending and everyone on the FOB is absolutely thankful that the Hurricanes and Vanguards are on point.
We did experience a fire here on the FOB that destroyed several tents that house the FOBs contract security force. This was the same living area that the Vanguards helped construct one month prior. Thankfully there were no injuries (SSG Shipman HHC assisted in the evacuation of the tents) and the Vanguards responded to the event magnificently. Within hours the Battalion was able to provide/loan additional tentage, cots, and per-sonal hygiene items from the Chaplain Sanders to the contracted security force. A Co also provided Engineer Support for the clean up and a new living area is now being constructed for this crucial force on FOB Pasab. Outstanding job by the Vanguard Battalion all around.
School has already started at Fort Drum and here in Southern Afghanistan, school is also set to begin on 6 SEP with the opening of 9 temporary school sites in the Zhari district. Early August the Battalion was given the mis-sion to contract for the construction of these temporary school sites that include a well, latrines, tents with floor-ing, and furniture for the students and teachers, playgrounds, and a security wall. The Battalion was able to find a contractor within days and work is rapidly progressing at each of the 9 sites. C Co has taken the lead on this project and been in constant communication and coordination with each of the Maneuver battalions, and the contractor to see this project through to completion. This is very significant as it is a visible sign that security is at a level now where sending their children to school is possible – something that the locals have not seen here
for over a decade. ….continued on page 3
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF 3RD BRIGADE SPECIAL TROOPS BATTALION
FA
LL
2
01
1
VANGUARD VOICE
COMMAND CORNER– from the desk of MAJ BORG, XO
Page 2 3 BSTB— FALL
3 BSTB—FALL 2011 Page 2
3rd BSTB FRG ADVISORS
Mrs. Cora Leigh Clark
315-405-8960
Mrs. Janet Johnson–
315– 681-6377
WE’RE ON THE WEB !!
WWW.ARMYFRG.ORG AND
3RD BSTB Virtual FRG (vFRG) The 3rd BSTB vFRG is the official web site of our Family Readiness Group. Once you register and subscribe to the 3rd BSTB vFRG, you will be able to log on to access timely and accurate information about our unit, Fort Drum, and the local community. Currently, 3rd BSTB’s vFRG is a work in progress. Please check back periodically for updates. Eventually, the vFRG will provide two-way communication between family members, as well as Soldiers, both when in garrison and when deployed. Following are the steps to register and subscribe to our vFRG: Step 1 – Go to the www.armyfrg.org website, and click on “Register Here” link. Step 2 – Click on New York State.
Step 3 – Click on “3rd BSTB, 3rd BCT, 10 MTN DIV (New York, UIC: WJJXAA)”
Step 4 – Fill out the on-line form and click on the “Continue” Button. Step 5 – Complete the on-line form and click on the “Complete Registration” Button.; Click
“Continue.” Step 6 – Registration Complete! You will receive a registration confirmation e-mail. Step 7 – After you are approved by the vFRG Administrator (this may take up to a week), you will
receive an e-mail approving your subscription to the 3rd BSTB vFRG. Step 8 – Log in to www.armyfrg.org; Type in your user name and password. Step 9 – Select 3rd BSTB from pull-down menu in center; Click “Go.” Step 10 – 3rd BSTB site will appear; you can now use the vFRG.
3 BSTB Family Readiness Support Asst
Diane Porcello 315-772-5519 [email protected]
BULLDOG NEWS-Bravo Company -continued from page 1
Half way through this deployment and the pedal is still depressed and we are running on all cylinders. Vanguard Soldiers are truly remarkable and impressive with their focus, stamina, and effort. We miss Fort Drum and our families and wish everyone one there the best – your Soldiers are Strong and Skilled, defeating the enemy, and are writing history for Kandahar province and the Vanguards. Before I cut this edition off I’d like to list some significant accomplishments from the last two months (there is too many to list as the Soldiers of this battalion are performing incredible things daily). But here are a few that I will mention that are very noteworthy.
-The Assistance Division Commander Support BG Dahl, visited the B Co UAS in August and awarded a Division Coins to SSG Deister and SSG Compton for achieving 1000 flight hours and also awarded the platoon certificates for 1000 accident free flying hours.
-SFC Felix (HHC) was promoted to the rank of MSG Felix and will take over the BCT S1 NCOIC position in OCT
-SGT Griffen (A Co) was awarded an ARCOM with Valor from the Commanding General 10th MTN
-HHC Maintenance constructed a Clam Shell maintenance tent in 5 days allowing them shelter from the unforgiving desert sun – Significant when comparing to other like tents on the FOB that took Months to set up. It is the best Maintenance facility on the FOB.
-Alpha Change of Command for CPT Jason Allen and CPT Doug Morrison
From FOB Pasab, Zhari District, Kandahar Province,
Strength and Skill! Vanguard 5
Page 3 3 BSTB—FALL 2011
BULLDOG NEWS-Bravo Company
Greetings from sunny Afghanistan!!! My wife, Alissa,
and I are very excited to be part of the Sapper family.
We PCS’d to Fort Drum from Fort Leonard Wood in
January last year. We absolutely love the North Coun-
try and enjoy living across from a large dairy farm and
dozens of cornfields. Alissa and I have an English
bulldog named Daisy who is back home in Massachusetts with our families.
For the past year Alissa and I have been in the BSTB and brigade headquarters. Most recently, here in
Afghanistan, Alissa changed out of command from HHC BSTB and is headed of f to brigade head-
quarters. We both were extremely excited to meet Tammy Egan and BriAnn Martens over our mid-
tour leave up in New York.
I am extremely honored and proud to have the privilege to work with your husbands, sons, brothers,
cousins and nephews. What the Sappers have been doing here in southern Afghanistan is tremendous
to not only the brigade combat team, but to the nation of Afghanistan. Whether it is cutting a road,
filling HESCOs or breaching an obstacle, the Sappers do it all. The positive effect it has on the local
community and current operations is unparalleled with any other engineering unit in southern Afghani-
stan. I have never seen anything like it! All of the hard training and preparation back at Fort Drum
has paid off for this team.
Safety is number one for me during all aspects of planned and current operations. This aspect will be
personally factored into every operation we run by myself and 1SG. Safety is something that will de-
serve my full and undivided attention for every task and mission we execute. Our success as Sappers
hinges upon that simple, but crucial aspect.
I have met much of the company this past month
during the change of command property invento-
ries and look forward to working with them in the
upcoming months. One of my personal goals is
to take as many photos of sappers in action so that
I can then pass as much off to the FRG and the
families at home.
School is back in session and I and sure snow is
right around the corner. There, I jinxed it for you
all!!! Much thanks.
SAPPERS FORWARD!!!
SAPPER 6 – CPT Doug Morrison
Page 4 3 BSTB—FALL 2011
SAPPER UPDATE—Alpha Company
A Co FRG Leaders
BriAnn Martens Tammy Egan
315-405-8400 858-531-0774
[email protected] [email protected]
1SG Gaw mentors a young 2LT Knight at a recent job site.
Greetings Bulldogs and Bulldog Families,
We are nearing the half way point for our tour here in Afghanistan as the
summer months start to wind down and over fifty percent of the company
has departed for their well deserved mid-tour leave. For those of you back
home summer has concluded with the Labor Day Holiday, sending the kids
off to school, football season starting, and the temperatures dropping down
to an average of 60-70 degrees in the fort drum area. We are still battling
the heat over here as temperatures remain in the low 100s, but the nights
are starting to cool off with 70 degree weather. The Bulldogs have accomplished a lot since the last
battalion newsletter and continue to make significant contributions to our servicemen and women de-
feating the enemy we face on a daily basis. The Bulldogs continue to fight through the daily grind of
reading and writing reports, conducting in-depth analysis of the enemy’s actions, patrolling with ma-
neuver elements, intercepting enemy communications, developing rapport with Afghan locals, flying
tactical unmanned aircraft, and maintaining and developing systems and equipment.
Let’s take a look at some numbers of what your Soldiers have been doing so far during the deploy-
ment. The UAS platoon has flown over 600 sorties and over 2400 “accident-free” flight hours. They
are currently the leading platoon throughout Southern Afghanistan with the most accident-free flight
hours. The HUMINT platoon has conducted over 150 dismounted patrols, three air assaults and writ-
ten over 430 draft intelligence information reports and 225 meetings resulting in over 11 IEDs being
found as well as other valuable intelligence. The SIGINT platoon has produced over 1,400 tactical
reports leading to the capture of over 19 high value individuals. The ISR platoon is the leading intelli-
gence effort for the brigade that supports every operation that is conducted with fused intelligence
reports and producing over 250 products with specific intelligence requests from the subordinate
units. The Bulldogs have also become quite a construction company completing over seven major
construction projects to include: GEOINT Building Extension; 147 Shelter; Prophet System Shelter;
numerous building improvement projects, recreation/morale deck, and launch and recovery site im-
provements (morale building, fuel storage points, parts inventory building, force protection modifica-
tions). The Bulldogs will continue to improve their “foxhole” throughout the fall and winter months
that are ahead of us.
Even with all this going on, the junior leaders within the company are ensuring the Soldiers receive
adequate time to decompress, maintain their physical fitness, and have some fun. The Iron Mutt com-
petition was a pretty big hit and many enjoyed competing against each other’s sections; the next Iron
Mutt competition you might see teams made up only of junior enlisted vs NCOs vs officers. The King
of Spades Tournament was another hit for the company where participants enjoyed smoking cigars,
friendly competition, and gaining bragging rights on a near nightly basis for the month of August.
With the football season kicking off there are plenty of friendly competitions and “PICK’ EM”-type
tournaments to see whose football knowledge dominates all others. The Soldiers’ favorite team col-
ors and banners are already hung within their work areas showing the support and pride they have for
their favorite teams. Even with the hopes of everyone’s team being the best, I think it is best for me to
call it right now and say that the Eagles are going to dominate this season…..look out Dallas!
Continued on page 6 …...
Page 5 3 BSTB—FALL 2011
BRAVO COMPANY—BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs finally welcomed Sergeant Houston as she joined
us from the rear detachment; her analytic support has been
awaited in the BICE and it is good to have her with us again.
We also have a new face in the company as WO1 Justin Crick
joined the team and will be the ISR platoon’s all-source intelli-
gence tech working as the BICE OIC alongside SFC Heiges. It
was sad to see CPT Stephen Crachi, Company XO, move on to
bigger and better things as he was promoted to Captain on July
1st and moved up to be the assistant operations officer for the
battalion. With this change, 1LT Neuman left the SIGINT pla-
toon to take over as the company executive officer and will do a
fine job. Congratulations to SSG Karabats on his reenlistment
and to the many promotions we have had the past few months.
I would like to thank all of our platoon sponsors for their continued
support of the Bulldogs: Girl Scout Troop 10150 for sponsoring the
headquarters platoon (the Soldiers love the cookies); Air Force
JROTC at Schenectady High School for sponsoring the human intelli-
gence platoon; BrownStone Intermediate School for sponsoring our
unmanned aerial system platoon; National Jr Honor Society of West
Middle School for sponsoring our signal intelligence platoon; and
Lockheed Martin for sponsoring our intelligence, reconnaissance, and
surveillance platoon.
Thanks to all the Bulldog Families!
3 BSTB—FALL 2011 Page 6
B Co FRG Leaders
Melissa Simione
315-535-4151
Cherie Bristow
315-681-6488
Outgoing XO: CPT Stephen “the OX”
Crachi Incoming XO:
1LT Christine “Fall” Neuman W01 Justin “Smiles” Crick
Page 7 3 BSTB—FALL 2011
CHARLIE COMPANY– ROUGHRIDERS
Charlie Company FRG Leader
Annette Pedrogo
706-681-1078
Greetings Rough Rider Family and Friends, Since arriving in Afghanistan 1st Platoon has been busy supporting the Spartan Wide Area Network (WAN). They have continuously set the standard for Regional Command – South in all aspects of the Signal realm. The other Battalions constantly look toward our Soldiers to see what right looks like and ask for their assistance when things aren’t working properly. On a recent visit to FOB Pasab, General David Petraeus awarded both SSG Heidi Ritter and SGT Lisa Cash a chal-lenge COIN for having been deployed over 36 months in support of the Global War on Terror.
Recently Staff Sergeant Heidi Ritter was sent to FOB Tarin Kowt fill the role of the Help Desk Non-Commissioned Officer In-Charge with Combined Team Uruzgan. Combined Team Uruzgan is a multinational task force consisting of Australian, French, Belgian and U.S. Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen. She is also up there with SGT Goodlow, SPC Knoer and PFC Daywalt. All of them are doing an outstanding job. Over the past couple of months we have had several Soldiers join us from Fort Drum. We would like to welcome SGT Goodlow, PFC McCowan, PFC Green, PV2 Lehman, PFC Carter, PV2 Exum, and PV2 Blackman. We have also had a couple of promotions. CPL Copeland was promoted to Sergeant on 1 August, PFC Mulhollan was promoted to Specialist on 1 September, and PV2s Green McCowan were both promoted to Private First Class on 1 September.
2nd platoon has been busy maintaining the SPARTAN network ensuring communications are operating at maximum ca-pacity. During their down time, they have been excelling by taking online college courses, military correspondence courses, and spending plenty of time in the FOB Howz-E-Madad gym. The 2nd Platoon Sergeant, SFC Christopher Tunison, was recently as-signed an important mission with Combined Team Uruzgan as the CJ6 NCOIC. Accompanying him at CTU are SPC Devlyn McConnell and SPC Raymond Osburn. SPC McConnell and Osburn push themselves on a daily basis to keep the network run-ning smoothly.
In the absence of SFC Tunison and in addition to his regular duties as the JNN50 Section Sergeant, SSG Keith Russell has stepped up and assumed the role of acting Platoon Sergeant for 2nd Platoon at Howz-E-Madad. His knowledge and dedica-tion have allowed day to day operations to continue running smoothly.
SPC Christopher Hanes, SPC Troy Hillman, and PFC Raymond Bruce have distinguished themselves by consistently exceeding expectations no matter what task they are given. They have displayed a strong work ethic and desire to learn skills beyond the scope of their Military Occupational Specialties.
2LT Kuhn will soon be departing 2nd Platoon for a position on Battalion Staff. He will be replaced by 2LT Nicholas McKin-ney. A brief letter from 2LT Kuhn follows:
To each and every Rough Rider family member and friend, I want to thank you for your support. I do, regretfully, feel compelled to inform you that I will be leaving C Company and will no longer be your Soldier’s Platoon Leader. I will be moving up to Battalion to fill a staff position. 2LT Nick McKinney is a qualified Signal Officer who will continue to push your Soldier to better himself on a daily basis. I want to say that I am proud to have had the opportunity to lead your Soldier in Afghanistan for the last 6 months. I look forward to seeing all of the Soldiers and their families when we come home in 2012.
Dear Hurricane Soldiers and family members,
Sadly this will be my last installment to the FRG newsletter. On 03 September 2011, CPT
Christopher Davis will be assuming command of HHC. CPT Davis is married to Jamie Marie Davis.
CPT Davis and his wife have two children, Zackary and Trent. The Davis Family currently resides in
Saint Robert, Missouri and will be moving to New York upon completion of this deployment.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the Soldiers of HHC for all of their hard work and dedication both in the training
conducted in preparation for deployment, and in their day to day missions here in Afghanistan. For the family and loved ones back
home, your sacrifice has been equally as great, and I thank you for keeping your Soldiers strong through all the tough times. I
would like to personally thank Krystal Drake and Vanessa Ames for all of their hard work and hours spent making the FRG the
tremendous organization that it is today. This has been a truly rewarding experience for me and you have all made it possible. I
will be moving on to be the Brigade S9, but I will be keeping in touch with everyone I have worked so closely with over the past 18
months.
August has been a busy month for us between Change of Command inventories and an increased operations tempo. The
MP Platoon continues with the Afghan National Police (ANP) mentorship mission by mentoring and embedding themselves in ANP
operations, in order to maintain security throughout the Zharay and Maiwand Districts. Maintenance Platoon continues with their
sustainment and support mission, in addition to working with their Afghan Garrison Support Unit (GSU) counterparts by conducting
drivers training. The Maintenance Platoon now has a clam shell, the largest on FOB Pasab, allowing our Soldiers to conduct main-
tenance operations in an air conditioned environment. The Medical Section is also working with their Afghan National Army
(ANA) counterparts by training them on Combat Life Saver (CLS) skills. They have also given classes to local nationals on child
birthing techniques and procedures. The HQ’s Section continues to battle track our teams, in addition to processing all of the as-
sessments, and managing the Change of Command inventories. This month we were honored to promote the following Hurricane
Soldiers: MSG Felix, SSG Wilson, SSG Ames, SGT Alacron, SGT Pruitt and SPC Rucker. Congratulations!
Again I want to thank you for the support
you give your Soldiers. Please keep the care packages
and letters coming, they are always appreciated. If
you are interested in purchasing a company t-shirt or
hoodie, please contact Krystal Drake or Vanessa
Ames at (910) 723-8060 or (253) 906-7752 respec-
tively. I hope you enjoy the pictures I have included
of the company over the past month.
GO HURRICANES!
CPT Alissa Morrison
HURRICANE HAPPENNINGS—HHC
Page 8 3 BSTB— FALL 2011
HHC FRG Leaders
Krystal Drake Vanessa Ames
910-723-8060 253-906-7752
[email protected] [email protected]
SPC Brown enjoying dinner with GSU Counterparts 1SG Sadowski and SGT Loree
3 BSTB—FALL 2011 Page 9
SGT Beggs’ with his GSU Counterpart
HURRICANE HAPPENNINGS—HHC
SSG Belt and SGT Beggs’ enjoying dinner with GSU Counterparts
SSG Ames’ promotion ceremony
3 BSTB—FALL 2011 Page 10
