2 0 4 T H B R I G A D E

S U P P O R T B A T T A L I O N

NEWSLETTER STAFF:

CPT Ashlea Cleveland

1LT Betsy Arndt

Rough Rider Connection

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

Dear Rough Rider Family, As we approach the holiday season we want to take the time to thank all of you and your families for your service and sacrifices over the past year. This past year has been one which has seen amazing achievements and exciting progress for our Rough Rider Battalion and we look forward to what the New Year will bring. The call to leave family and friends in order to maintain peace and to support justice throughout the world is unrelenting in its demands. You have faithfully expended your-selves providing Steadfast and Loyal support to our nation and our Army. All of you – Little Groups of Rough Riders- have been magnificent, and we are very proud to serve with you. Each of you played an invaluable role in providing excellent support throughout RC-S here in Afghanistan under extreme conditions. You have made a difference in this war, we admire you, and applaud you for your diligent efforts, especially for the work which may go unseen and unrecognized, but which is invaluable in the lives of those we sup-port. As we approach the arrival of a new year we are thankful for the many blessings that have been given to us all and look forward to a very productive and happy 2012. It will be filled with the usual challenges of Army life: family separations, wrapping up this de-ployment and demanding work hours. However, our trust in each of you and in our ability to thrive through these challenges is explicit. Relying upon our collective experience and perseverance, we will move forward and embrace all of the challenges of the year to come. We want to close this letter as it began: commending and thanking each of you for your service and sacrifices of this year; may these holidays truly be a season of refresh-ment for you and for your loved ones. Our hope is that this holiday season will revive your souls and grant you, and your loved ones, a joyful time. We look forward to another year of serving alongside of each of you in our Rough Rider Family. Rough Riders! Make it Happen! Season’s Greetings,

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 1 V O L U M E I , I S S U E 1 9

S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F

I N T E R E S T :

Holiday Message from

Rough Rider 6

Black Knights Mass Produc-

tion of Critical Systems

Assassins Conduct Sling

Load Mission

SFC Braithwaite—Cobras’

Newest Sergeant Audie

Murphy Club Member

Rough Riders and ANA

Work Together for Resup-

ply

P A G E 2 V O L U M E I , I S S U E 1 9

Black Knights Produce Mission Critical Systems

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan—Culvert Intrusion Denial Systems (CIDS) are the main defense against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). A culvert is a drain or waterway crossing un-der a road or bridge and the system prevents the placement of IEDs in-side of culverts. CIDS help protect the military vehicles that are con-stantly traveling on those roadways. Bravo Company and civilian contrac-tors working on Forward Operating Base Walton produce the systems that have proven to be mission criti-cal. Bravo Company’s Search and Recovery (S&R) Section are charged with the mass production of CIDS. Specialist Gregory Coxton plays a vital role in ensuring that the systems are produced in accordance with Combined Task Force Warhorse pri-orities. SPC Coxton produces four 38 inch CIDS monthly as opposed to the

25 inch by 4 inch systems produced by other civilian contractors. The main item used to produce the sys-tem is rebar. Every 38 inch CIDS produced needs 180 feet of rebar. In the production of the CIDS, it takes PFC Coxton roughly a day and a half to have a system ready for installa-tion into a culvert. The CIDS produced by S&R is circular rather than the original de-sign of the Dehart Culvert Denial System, which was square. This de-sign was created by engineers that were previously deployed in Afghani-stan. “The bigger the Culvert Denial System, the more detail that goes into it,” says Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gene Balderman. Creating larger CIDSs ensures more proficiency and accuracy in protecting roadways from IEDs. Many Soldiers risk their lives by traveling off FOBs so that they can

By Specialist Natasha Gaskins, Bravo Company Public Affairs Representative

Assassins Conduct Sling Load Operation to Resupply CTF Warhorse

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan—Combined Task Force (CTF) War-horse is constantly moving through-out the battlespace. Given the cur-rent operation tempo (op-tempo), convoys are not always available to resupply the troops. The Soldiers and Non-commissioned Officers of the Supply Support Activity, A Com-pany, 204th Brigade Support Battal-ion have successfully contributed to the mission by conducting sling load operations while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. One such mission came about on 24 November 2011. A day of giving thanks also turned into another mission essential evening in Afghanistan. While others were enjoying their Thanksgiving dinner in the Dining Facility, another hand-

By Staff Sergeant Christopher Lewis and Staff Sergeant Brenda Curry, Supply Support Activity

secure the CIDS in the culverts. The system produced by Bravo Company is 80 pounds, so it takes roughly four people to place the metal contraption inside the culvert. The production of the Culvert Denial System is a great method to prevent the use of IEDs. The CDS helps saves lives every day and that is what PFC Coxton takes much pride in. “The work that I have done with the CIDS will save lives of Sol-diers, now and in the future,” says SPC Coxton.

ful of Soldiers were executing an emergency resupply sling load mis-sion. CTF Warhorse continues to build strong bonds with Coalition Forces and cross cultural under-standings. SSG Jesse Payton headed the mission by providing his expertise in rigging abilities in accordance with sling load operations policies. The Soldiers immediately pallet-ized, rigged, and loaded pallets and cargo nets, consisting of Class IV (Lumber), Class I (Subsistence), and much more for quick transport via Chinook. The aircraft was al-ready in route so the Soldiers had to move with haste in the dusty and frigid air. Under these conditions, the Soldiers completed the mission swiftly, safely and to standard.

When the mission was complete, an Afghanistan National Army General personally gave his thanks to the 204

th

BSB Rough Riders for a job well done, therefore a great way to end a day of thanks.

Above: Soldiers and Civilians of the Sup-ply Support Activity, A Company 204th BSB prepare a load to be slung from an aircraft for resupply.

In the Photo: SPC Gregory Coxton with a Culvert I n t r u s i o n Denial Sys-tem that he created.

P A G E 3

R O U G H R I D E R C O N N E C T I O N

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan—Some know of his movies, some know of his songs, but most know of him as a Soldier. More-over, the most decorated Soldier in the history of the United States Military. Audie Leon Mur-phy accomplished many things during his life, but as a Soldier he set the standard for many military generations to come, displaying tenacity, virtue, mo-

rale and valor. "Don't let that baby face fool you, that's the toughest Soldier in the Third Di-vision," stated a fellow sergeant from his unit. Although he was known for being the toughest Soldier, Audie Murphy was known for his role as leader. Now generations after his exis-tence, the United States Army honors his bravery and leader-ship through the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC), an exclu-sive organization for Enlisted Non-commissioned Officers (NCOs) who display qualities similar to his. Induction into this prestige club requires NCOs to “exemplify leadership character-ized by personal concern for the needs, training, development, and welfare and concern for families and Soldiers.” Sergeant First Class Melinda Braithwaite, a Combat Medic of

C Company, 204th Brigade Support

Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division is just that, a leader who inspires and ca-res for her Soldiers. While deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, SFC Braithwaite was given the opportunity to compete for this prestigious award. Once she received her letter of recommenda-tion from the C Company 1SG, SFC

Braithwaite began her rigorous jour-ney of preparing for the BN and BDE level selection boards. The evalua-tion process consisted of her atten-dance at three Sergeant Audie Mur-phy Association boards (battalion and brigade level, and the Joint Sus-tainment Command-Afghanistan), performing hands-on tasks (Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills) and an Army Physical Fitness Test (minimum score of 290). With help from her peers and 1SG Chanda Gaines act-ing as her Micky from Rocky, SFC

Braithwaite was able to pass every assessment with flying colors. "I felt nervous through this whole process, but when I was called up to my board evaluations I felt untouchable," stated SFC Braithwaite. She passed her Army Physical Fitness Test with a solid 300 points; a score she said was the most satisfying part of the whole examination. After attending the JSC-A board, she was identified as one of the six NCO’s selected for induction into SAMC. "I was excited yet relieved to see my hard work payoff. It was a great experience and now I feel like I can walk a little taller", stated SFC Braithwaite. On 9 December 2011 SFC Braithwaite was inducted into the SAMC at KAF during an amazing ceremony where LTG Hertling, USAREUR Commanding General, was the guest speaker. She re-ceived the SAMC medallion which is hung from a powder blue ribbon. This medallion serves as a symbol of excellence for this amazing NCO. In today’s military young Soldiers look to NCO’s to exemplify the traits nec-essary to lead, train, develop and motivate Soldiers into becoming fu-ture leaders. SFC Braithwaite is a representation of that type of NCO…leader. For it was Audie Leon Mur-phy himself that stated, “Great lead-ers lead from the front”.

SFC Melinda Braithwaite - A Cobra Leading from the Front By Specialist Steven Giles and Private First Class Brittny Escamilla, Combat Medics, C Company

Above: The newest members of the Ser-geant Audie Murphy Club in Afghanistan.

Below: Standing tall during the Induc-tion Ceremony, SFC Braithwaite, first on the left.

Above: SFC Braithwaite is tested on various weapons systems.

Above: SFC Braithwaite completes a written test on land navigation.

P A G E 4 V O L U M E I , I S S U E 1 9

Rough Riders Assist the ANA with Supplies in Distant Locations

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan—On 17 and 18 December 2011, the Rough Riders worked together with the Af-ghanistan National Army (ANA) to assist them in providing supplies to their fellow Soldiers in locations that are hard to reach by convoy. Items were packaged and prepared to be sent by air during future aerial resup-ply missions. The supplies will be delivered in conjunction with mis-sions that will also supply fellow Combined Task Force Warhorse Sol-diers. After escorting them onto Forward Operating Base Walton, items such

as water, food and wood were bro-ken down at the Supply Support Ac-tivity (SSA) where Soldiers from A Company, along with the ANA downloaded their trucks, separated and palletized the items. Once the items were placed into boxes to en-sure there were no loose pieces, A Company Soldiers showed them how to strap down the boxes to pallets using an Air Force cargo net and to-gether rigged up the load. The mission proved to be reward-ing and the ANA showed their appre-ciation through their motivation in helping out. “They were eager to learn and quickly completed the task, so it wasn’t just us doing for them,” stated 1LT Nicholas Greco who over-saw the mission.

By First Lieutenant Nicholas Greco and First Lieutenant Betsy Arndt, Support Operations 204th BSB

These missions are intended for Coalition Forces to work together with the common goal of delivering needed items to our Soldiers in lo-cations where terrain is a challenge. Ultimately the ANA will become self-sufficient and able to sustain them-selves.

Left: The ANA and SSA Soldiers place

wood into tri-walls.

Right top: The ANA and SSA Soldiers

that worked together to complete the

mission.

Right bottom: ANA Soldiers tighten the

straps on the boxes.

The SPO Shop wants to thank the FRG for the stockings of good-

ies. Merry Christmas!