Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Warhorse begins partnerships in AfghanistanStory and photos by Spc. April York2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO

A Transfer of Authority Ceremony was held on Camp Nathan Smith, June 19, which signifies the end of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division’s deployment and the beginning of their sister brigade 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division’s part-nership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Afghanistan National Security Forces in Regional Com-mand South. During their deployment, Task Force Raider established a concrete partnership with GIRoA, Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army to create stability and security for the people of Afghanistan. “Today is a significant day for the Raider Brigade – it is a day of transition,” said Col. Jeffrey R. Martindale, commander of 1st BCT. “It is a day where we say farewell to our Af-ghan partners and hand the torch to another team to continue the fight.” “Make no mistake, the enemy is weak and on the run,” he said. “The enemy is afraid of the Afghan leaders sitting here today.”When TF Raider assumed responsibility in August 2010 they were the first heavy brigade

combat team in Afghanistan. TF Raider performed duties at over 75 Forward Operating Bases, Combat Outposts, Police Substations and Access Control Points, while living and working alongside their Afghan brothers-in-arms. They participated in over 52,000 patrols, conducted over 10,000 Key Leader and Street Level Engagements,

and found and destroyed over 800 Improvised Explosive Devices. Humanitarian efforts were also a priority. TF Raider completed more than 300 projects to include: renovations or new construction of 19 schools, five clinics and nine district centers. They also rebuilt seven villages and repaired more than 65 roads. “It is my deepest hope that a better Af-ghanistan will emerge out of the warfare and bloodshed of the past,” Martindale said. “The future of this country rests on your shoulders, and I am proud to depart this country with able men like you in the lead.” After the ‘Warhorse’ colors were uncased Col. John S. Kolasheski, commander of 2nd BCT, addressed the audience. “Today marks an important event for Col. Martindale’s brigade and my own as we transition partner responsibilities for security, strengthening your government’s ability to meet the needs of its citizens, and encour-aging economic development; it is not an important day for the Afghan people,” he said. “Life continues on as it has for thousands of years.”“Thanks to your hard work and the assistance

Col. John S. Kolasheski, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Delosa, command sergeant major of 2nd BCT uncase their brigade colors at a Transfer of Authority ceremony held on Camp Nathan Smith.

Col. John S. Kolasheski, commander2nd Brigade Combat TeamCombined Task Force Warhorse

While today marks an impor-tant event for Col. Martindale’s brigade and my own as we transition partner responsibilities for security, strengthening your government’s ability to meet the needs of its citizens, and encour-aging economic development, it is NOT an important day for the Afghan people. Life continues on as it has for thousands of years. Without question much has been done here in Kandahar over the past 12 months, but this coming year is just as important for the

people of Kandahar City and the surrounding area. The insurgents have publically stated that they will fight this summer to create lasting instability throughout this region. We must not let them succeed. Although we are new, our mission and commitment to you and the good people of Afghanistan remains the same. As the great Pashto poet Rah-man Baba wrote four centuries ago... “Sow flowers that your surroundings become a garden. Don’t sow thorns; for they will prick your own feet.” Together, we must sow flowers across Kandahar Province. We must not remain focused on our village, tribe or district. Instead,

we should sow the flowers of security, good governance and development everywhere. Thanks to your hard work and the assistance of Col. Mar-tindale and his team, you have transformed Kandahar; flow-ers are blooming, but these re-sults are reversible. There is an enemy committed to sowing thorns vice flowers. Combined Team Warhorse stands com-mitted to being your partner and helping you to sow a gar-den that all Afghans can enjoy and pass on to their children for generations to come. The time is now to determine that future and together, shoulder-to-shoulder, we will.

TOA Speech

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Issue 59 June 24, 2011

Commander’s ColumnCommander’s Column

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Warhorse PridePage 2 Issue 59 June 24, 2011

Warhorse TOA

The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The Warhorse Pide is an Army-funded news-letter authorized under provision of AR 360-1. Contents of the Warhorse Pride are not necessarily the view of, nor endorsed by the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 4th Infantry Division. All editorial content of The Warhorse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public

Affairs Office. The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles, commentary and photos from readers. The Warhorse Pride reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the publication. All issues of The Warhorse Pride can be viewed online from your home computer at www.facebook.com/2bct4id Submissions should be e-mailed to the editor:seth.barham@afghan.swa.army.mil

Col. John S. Kolasheski...................2nd BCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Ralph Delosa..............2nd BCT CSMMaj. Kevin Toner................................................2nd BCT PAOSgt. Seth Barham..................................................PAO NCOICSgt. Ruth Pagan......................................Layout and DesignSpc. April York.........................................Layout and Design

Warhorse Pride

Bison TOA

Talon TOA Dragoons TOA

Death Dealer Transfer of Authority

Rough Rider Transfer of Authority

Lt. Col. Michael Simmering, commander of 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Mulig, battalion command sergeant major, uncase the battalion colors, symbolizing the completion of the Transfer of Authority from the Iron Knights of 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., at the Arghandab District Operational Coordination Center, June 20.

Lt. Col. Todd Bertulis, commander of 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Troy Tuten, battalion command sergeant major, uncase the battalion colors, symbolizing the completion of the Transfer of Authority from Task Force Packhorse, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team to Task Force Rough Rider, at Forward Operating Base Walton,June 11.

Lt. Col. John Cook, commander of 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Dale Veneklasen, battalion command sergeant major, uncase the battalion colors while Lt. Col. Christopher Beck, commander of 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div, and Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Scott, battalion command segeant major case their battalion colors in a ceremony at Camp Nathan Smith, June 24.

Lt. Col. David Hardy, commander of 2nd Bat-talion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and Command Sgt. Maj. Shawn Alvarado, bat-talion command sergeant major uncase the battalion colors at the Afghanistan National Civil Order Police Headquarters, June 22.

Lt. Col. Eugenia Guillmartin, commander of 385th Military Police Battalion, and Command Sgt. Maj. William Fath, battalion command sergeant major, uncase their colors at Camp Nathan Smith, Kandahar City, June 8. The Dragoons hail from Fort Stewart, Ga., and are now part of the Warhorse Brigade. The Dragoons are responsible for several components of Afghanistan National Security Force development. Warhorse is proud and honored to have the Dragoons on the team.

of Col. Martindale and his team, you have transformed Kandahar,” he said. In an effort to connect with his Afghan brothers Kolasheski read a segment of a poem by Pashto poet Rahman Baba, “sow flowers that your surroundings become a garden. Don’t sow thorns; for they will prick your own feet.” From the poem he draws an analogy to make known his commitment and under-standing of the Afghan people. “There is an enemy committed to sow-ing thorns vice flowers. Combined Team Warhorse stands committed to being your partner and helping you sow a garden that all Afghans can enjoy and pass on to their children for generations to come,” he said. “The time is now to determine that future, and together, shoulder-to-shoulder, we will.”