Task Force 1-501 PIR, FOB Salerno, Afghanistan November 14, 2003Vol. I No. 1

Pfc. Peter Ginnetty, Company A, sights in his 240B machninegun, as his assistant gunner, Pfc. Gary Higdon, stands by.

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 501stParachute Infantry Regiment are on theground and ready to fulfill their missionhere.

“The task force has been extremelybusy,” said Lt. Col. Harry C. Glenn,III, Task Force 1-501 commander. “Inthe short time since we have left Alaskawe have flown half way around theworld, made significant improvementsin our living conditions and the forceprotection of FOB Salerno.”

The unit has also conducted a reliefin place with 10th Infantry Division(Mountain), planned and prepared theirfirst combat operation and performedmore than a dozen patrols off the com-pound.

“On the first patrols I was anxiousto get out there,” said Spc. Steven

Smithson, Detachment D, who hasbeen on 10 patrols. “Now althoughthe patrols have become routine,when we go out the gate we see howthe locals act and then adjust accord-ingly.”

Smithson says, if the kids are run-ning up to their vehicles asking for stuff,then the soldiers have a more relaxedattitude. If the people in the villages goinside the soldiers go to an even moreready state.

This heightened readiness is not justwhen soldiers leave the compound.Range cards have been made for eachof the guard towers on Salerno andsoldiers have reconfirmed the zero ontheir weapons.

Work on Salerno has not just beenon the defences. The soldiers have alsospent time improving their living condi-tions.

“There is ahadji mart out-side the gate andwe have boughtrugs and bedmats to makeour living areamore comfort-able,” Smithsonsaid. “We havealso hung pon-chos inside thetents to give eachperson their ownlittle piece of theworld.”

“I was a car-penter before I

1-501st ready to 'make it happen'Story and photos byStaff Sgt. Jeff Troth

Sgt. Frank Cole, Detachment D, cuts apiece of wood as Pfc. Scott Hunter holdsthe shelf unit steady.

came into the Army, so I had someskills that we have put to use downhere,” said Pfc. Torrey Kramer, ScoutPlatoon, Headquarters Company. Forhis platoon, Kramer has helped buildshelves, tables and chairs.

Some jobs Kramer has helped onhave benefited the entire camp. Hehas built benches for the dining facil-ity and the Moral Welfare and Rec-reation tent so that the soldiers havea place to sit while they wait to usethe phones and internet to contacttheir loved ones.

“As always, the Geronimos rise toeach task and ‘Make it Happen’.”Glenn said. “They have the higheststandards and my utmost respect.”

The GeronimoNovember 14, 20032

This is an unofficial Army newsletter, authorized under the provisionsof AR 360-1, and published by the TF 1-501st PIR Public Affairs Office.Editorial views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those ofthe Department of the Army or the TF 1-501st PIR. All submissions to TheGeronimo are subject to editing.

Questions or comments should be directed to: 1/501st Public AffairsOffice. DNVT 580-3067.

Task Force Commander Lt. Col. Harry C. Glenn IIIEditor Staff Sgt. Jeff Troth

News briefsJAG

Pfc. Saenz is available for power of attorneysin the ALOC, located next to the TOC.

Chapel ServicesProtestant Services Saturday 1500

Sunday 0400Prayer/Meditation Hour Monday-Friday 0700Latter Day Saints Sunday 0600Catholic TBD

LaundryLaundry service is available Saturday to

Thursday 0330 to 1030. Items must be in alaundry bag.

Mail CallCheck with your company orderly room for

incoming mail. Mail is due in from KAF every7-10 days.

AAFES, Finance and PostalAAFES, 10th SSB Finance clerks and the

300th Adjutant General Postal Company will beon FOB Salerno Nov. 22.

The 300th will accept packages to be mailedout. This will be the only chance to mail pack-ages home in time for Christmas. Let familymembers know that according to the U.S.Postal Service, they need to mail packages byDec. 4 in order for them to arrive by holidays.

Dining Facility HoursBreakfast 0200-0400Dinner 1230-1430

"But that's what his MOS reads:Collection Station for Solar Energy!"

Staff Sgt. Tyrone King (left), and Spc. Steven Wasielewskiprotect their ears as they launch a 120-mm mortar shell. TheBattery B, 3rd Battalion, 6 Field Artillery, 10th Infantry Division(Mountain), soldiers were taking part in a routine practice fire.

Photos by Staff Sgt. Jeff Troth

The GeronimoNovember 14, 2003 3

Photos by Staff Sgt. Jeff Troth

Chap. (Capt.) Brad Lee leadsthe congregation in AmazingGrace during the first serviceheld in the new chapel.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Troth

Faith in the WordFaith in the WordFaith in the WordFaith in the WordFaith in the WordBy Chaplain (Capt.) Brad Lee

TF 1-501 PIR Chaplain

Greetings to you myfellow Geronimos. By thetime this makes print, ourentire Task Force shouldhave arrived at FOBSalerno. And hopefully bynow, each of you hasadjusted to Zulu time.Keeping track of Zulu, localand Alaska Time can be abit confusing and hopefullyby the time I get the hang ofit we’ll be redeploying.

All of you shouldknow by now ofour 3-month

extension. Though I wasn’texcited about the news, Iwasn’t surprised either asI’m sure many of you werenot. I’m confident however,that we Geronimos will notonly survive the length of ourdeployment, we will accom-plish our mission with greatsuccess and will distinguishourselves as the best to bedeployed to OperationEnduring Freedom.

That having been said, itdawns upon me that thereare several of you that have

been deployed to a combatzone before. There aremany others, myself in-cluded, that have not.Regardless if this is yourfirst or fifth combat deploy-ment, we are at a uniquetime and place in history andwe all face new anddifferent dangers in thisdeployment.

In the few days before weleft Alaska, I came acrosstwo verses in Provers thathave given me great comfortand I hope they will you aswell. “He who fears theLord has a secure fortress,and for his children it will bea refuge. The fear of theLord is a fountain of life,turning a man from thesnares of death” (Proverbs14:26-7).

Regardless of yourexperience, age, ormaturity, we all

have experienced somedynamic of fear in coming toOEF. And while some fearis healthy in helping one staymentally and emotionally

focused, the healthiest fearis genuine fear of the Lord.This fear is defined asholding in awe or reverence.

When we acknowledge thereality and

presence of the Creator wecannot help but to experi-ence awe and reverence.This fear becomes a sourceof strength and a fortress aswe grow in the knowledgeand confidence of God. Andaccording to verse 26, ourexample of fearing the Lordis a refuge for our childrenand families as well. Forthose of you that havefamilies, this should be ofparticular encouragement!

Ironically, verse 27 pointsout that fear of the Lordleads us to life, which turnsus away from death. Deathin this verse points moretoward the spiritual deathassociated with sin and evil,not necessarily physicaldeath which ultimatelyhappens to us all.

For those of you thatliterally face death anddanger during OEF, you cantake courage in the fear ofthe Lord and have theconfidence that whateverhappens to you your souland spirit are secure in the

Lord. The bottom line is this;if you are going to fearanything, fear God and Hewill be a refuge and acomfort to you in times ofdanger and distress.

It is my hope and prayerthat as each of yousettle into the rhythm of

life here at FOB Salerno,you take the time to searchyour soul and spirit fromwhatever faith backgroundyou come from. Know thatas your Chaplain, I pray foryou daily and am alwaysavailable to assist you inyour spiritual journeywhatever your faith may be.Blessings and Godspeed inthe days ahead.

Mail Call: FOB Salerno receives it's first big shipment ofmail. LEFT: Staff Sgt. Jason Gray, Company A,sorts through the hundreds of letters for Task

Force 1-501. BELOW: Soldiers sort the 2,700 pounds of mail into company piles.

The GeronimoNovember 14, 20034

DROP ZONES

TafaraouniYouks les BainsEl DjemGelaNadzabPaestumAvellionNormandyNoemfoor

Cote d’ AzurNijmegenEindhovenManarawatTagaytayCorregidorLos BanosWeselAparri

How many of the following WWII combatdrop zones can you locate in the puzzle?

RTWERODIGIRROCA

ETAGAYTAYJOSEEL

ISIHPGEIIIOETLA

NENNDTEMANFNAAO

DYRIINULAEMILAC

HBAMATABAREJEMO

ONLPSBSVAYOMEAT

VBBEAOSVVLNELNE

ELAILROEEOLGDAD

NPSZLWRLLUAEJRA

NAAEDRMILSANEAZ

MOSUBASEIDKLMWU

KELTISNGNAFUAAR

WZTAFARAOUNIOTM

AJPACYDNAMRONYY

Dear MSG Nordstrom,I was wondering, how did you

enjoy your role as Gunnery SergeantHighway in “Heartbreak Ridge?”Did you find it a natural characterrole?Sincerely,

CPT Smartypants

CPT Smartypants,Sir, well at least you’ve got your

name right. In my day, a good NCOwould have had you trained better soyou’d know not to go asking stupidquestions. Stop by the TOC andtouch something and you’ll see justhow naturally I can put a boot in your4th POC!

MSG N

Dear MSG Nordstrom,I heard you might retire soon. Just

wondering why you hadn’t yet?There must be some age limit, right?Respectfully,

SSG Wreck

Wreck,Hell, I was going to get out until I

met you. Now I’ve got to stay in

AfghanAfghanAfghanAfghanAfghanWay..Way..Way..Way..Way..

Hello salaam-alay-kumPlease meh-ra-baa-neThank you de-ra ma-nanaOK ba-le / sa-heeYes ba-leNo nahStop wo-da-n-gaHands up laasuna por-ta-kraLie down pre wo-zaWe must taa hat-man search you la-ta-wo

Pashto phrases to know.

Ask MSg NordstromAsk MSg NordstromAsk MSg NordstromAsk MSg NordstromAsk MSg Nordstromlonger to try and get the Armystraight again. When you leave, Iwill.

MSG N

Dear MSG Nordstrom,I’ve noticed that it gets colder

inside my tent than outside. Why isthat?Respectfully,

SPC Frozen

Frozen,I think it has something to do with

the combination of altitude, dry air,and latitude. Right. Son, I have noidea but I’m cold, too. Try this oldTTP when sleeping. Get naked andlie down on a bunch of newspapers.

MSG N

Dear MSG Nordstrom,I heard we were running low on

rations and I noticed chow hadsuffered a bit as of late. Then Inoticed that all of the dogs on theFOB had disappeared and we weresuddenly having steak for everymeal. Do you know anything aboutthis?Sincerely,

SGT Bellyache

BA,You can’t handle the truth. Just let

that one go. Stay away from the“beef” jerky as well.

MSG N

If you have aquestion forMSGNordstrom,drop it off atthe ALOC.

Free Books/MagsBooks and magazines are available

for your reading enjoyment at the HardRock Cafe. Once finished with thembring them back so that others may readthem.

If you have any books or magazinesyou are through with, instead of throw-ing them away, recycle them at theHard Rock Cafe. Help out your fellowtask force soldiers.