Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Issue 80 Dec. 3, 2011

CG visits Soldiers in AfghanistanStory by Maj. Kevin Toner2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., PAO

Maj. Gen. Joseph Anderson, com-manding general of 4th Infantry

Division and Fort Carson traveled to Kanda-har, Afghanistan to visit the Soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., Nov. 28-30. After an operations and intelligence over-view provided by the brigade commander and staff, Anderson traveled to Forward Operat-ing Base Walton to see the 204th Brigade Support Battalion. While there, he cut the ribbon for the soon-to-open “Warhorse Oasis,” a camp inside the FOB where Soldiers can enjoy a couple days rest from the rigors of patrolling. The following day started with a promo-tion and awards ceremony at Camp Nathan Smith where he pinned combat action badges and awards on Soldiers and civilians. Anderson then traveled to the Arghandab

district to learn about the progress in security and stability there from the Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, and the Arghandab district governor. He then flew to Darvishan and Lam, Khakrez district to meet Soldiers living in some of the brigade’s most remote outposts. On his final day, Anderson learned about Kandahar City and the Afghan Uniformed

Police from 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment. “Thanks for what you’ve done; your service is very clear; your sacrifice is very clear; keep up the good work,” Anderson said. “It’s and honor and a privilege to be your commander.”

Maj. Gen. Joseph An-derson (left), com-manding general of 4th Infantry Division, indi-vidually greets and shakes hands with Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., at their outpost Nov. 29.

for us. They have done a great job and the troops love it. Heck, I love to get mail too.” On mail days, it is common to see Soldiers eagerly opening their boxes and comparing their goodies with their buddies. “Look what I have,” said Staff Sgt. Ricky Starr, a Soldier with 5th Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg. “You know what I’m do-ing tonight!” Starr received the latest release of Call of Duty. He actually had to fend off a few Soldiers who were jokingly trying to grab it from him. Even getting something simple as a bag of cookies makes a differ-ence. “You don’t realize how you take for granted the little things back home,” said Pfc. Jefferson Freeman, with 5th Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg.

Mail boosts morale of deployed SoldiersStory by Capt. Michael Newman5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment

Morale is always a concern for leaders during deployment. They want to

ensure that troops are mentally fit to perform at their best. When asked about the most im-portant thing to keep their morale up 24 of 25 Soldiers in Task Force Blackhawk said, mail. On average, TF Blackhawk receives a mail shipment about once a week. Around 300 boxes and letters are a part of this weekly boost to morale.

“That’s the best part of my job, and seeing the smiles on their faces when we are unload-ing and sorting the mail for the troops here,” said Pfc. Mario King who works at the Fronte-nac Post Office. King and his noncommissioned officer in charge, Cpl. Michael McDowell, are both in the 350th Human Resource Command. “We have both made a lot of friends here,” said McDowell. “We are lucky; when they see us unloading mail, it instantly puts them in a great mood and we are immediately friends.” Lt. Col. David Raugh, commander of 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment talks to their family readiness group once a month on a recorded video message that is sent back for the friends and families to see. During the first three months of the deployment, he emphasized that Soldiers needed more mail. The family and friends back home quickly answered the request. “I know that the troopers really look forward to the mail coming in,” Raugh said. “It is a huge deal and has made a difference

A native to Hunts-ville, Ala., Pfc. Mario King, a Sol-dier in the 350th Human Resources Command with 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th In-fantry Division, organizes the latest shipment of mail. Continued on page 2

Warhorse PridePage 2 Issue 80 Dec. 3, 2011

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 DesignSgt. April York.........................................Layout and Design

Warhorse Pride

“Here, we can’t just stop by the local store if we have a craving for our favorite snack, so it is really cool to get things from home.” On one occasion, a Soldier handed his buddy a bubble package, the kind used to protect the contents of a box. He told him to pop it. When asked why, he simply replied “its air from the states” and had a huge grin. Everyone laughed and the package opening continued. There is one general consensus of TF Blackhawk-- they greatly appreciate the mail and appreciate the support from the friends and families back home. “(Friends and families) make a difference and are a big part of our success. Thank you for all you do,” said the Troopers of Task Force Blackhawk.

‘Jester’ Platoon trains AUP on first aidStory by Capt. Bonnie Hutchingson2nd Special Troops Battalion

Treating a casualty is a skill all Sol-diers want to have, but never want

to use. The Afghan security forces has the same sense. Soldiers from “Jester” Platoon, Head-quarters and Headquarters Company, Spe-cial Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, provide medi-cal training to their Afghan Uniformed Po-lice partners at the AUP training academy in Farah Province. The training began with a classroom portion that focused on casualty evaluation and tourniquet application. Medical training is vital to the success of the AUP as they continue to become increas-

ingly responsible for the security of Farah Province. “It is very important for the AUP to be able to treat their own casualties,” said Pfc. Joseph

An Afghan Uniformed Police officer applies an improvised tourni-quet on his fellow officer during a medical training exercise held at the AUP training academy.

McChesney, “Jester” Platoon medic and the primary training instructor. “They cannot protect the local populace if they cannot protect themselves and render proper medical treatment on each other.” After the classroom portion, the AUP trainees participated in practical exer-cises where they were able to effectively apply tourniquets to their battle buddies. “Basic medical skills are essential to any security force,” said Capt. Orande Roy, HHC commander. “The need to trust your battle buddies to your left and right is something that knows no cultural boundaries.

“This trust allows them to focus on the mission and will make them a more effective fighting force.”

Morale boostContinued from page 1