Post on 26-Mar-2016
description
transcript
H ello families
and friends of
A D T I V .
Wel l , i t h as
been just over 100 days
since ADT IV took the
guidon from ADT III and
began our mission here in
Nangarhar province.
Sometimes it seems like
a whole lifetime ago since
we arrived and other times
I feel as though it was just
last week.
Just to give you some
idea of what we've been
doing for these 100+ days,
consider the following:
w e ' v e c o n d u c t e d a
multitude of convoys to
Nangarhar's "key terrain
districts", we've attended
meetings at the governor's
p a l a c e o n s e v e r a l
occasions, we've initiated
p ro j ec t s i n nu merous
Afghan villages, we've
manned observation posts
here on the FOB, and
we 'v e a c t u a l l y f i l l e d
sandbags!?
Our Ag Team has done
a lot of paperwork - what
we call Trip Reports and
Storyboards - sometimes to
the i r d i smay, and my
deputy, LTC Charles, has
done everyth ing f rom
writing our campaign plan
to arranging Transfer of
A u t h o r i t y , 9 / 1 1
R e m e m b r a n c e , a n d
Veterans Day ceremonies.
W e ' v e r e c e i v e d
excellent marksmanship
training on both our rifle
a n d p i s t o l f r o m CP T
Huenink, we've learned all
about crew served weapons
from various members of
the SECFOR platoon, and
all of us are now able to
e f f e c t i ve l y o p e r a t e a
number of radios, thanks to
s o m e o u t s t a n d i n g
ins t ruc t ion f rom SGT
Bunch and SSG Beydler.
We've also survived
five earthquakes, a flood of
our own living area, a
couple sand storms and a
number of minor injuries
such as busted knuckles,
scraped and bruised elbows
and knees, chipped teeth
and pulled muscles. And
many of us have since
recovered from various
illnesses brought about by
food, seasonal allergies, or
bugs passing around the
FOB.
The team seems to have
settled into a comfortable
routine without becoming
complacent, and our efforts
appear to be having a
posit ive impact on the
Agricul ture Extension
A g e n t s - t h e Af g h a n
government officials who
are responsible for training
the farmers of Nangarhar.
During our next 100
days, we plan to issue a
n u m b e r o f T r a i n i n g
Support Packages to the
AEAs so they can more
effectively train farmers in
their districts.
We also intend to work
w i t h t h e D i r e c t o r o f
Agriculture, Irrigation, and
Livestock for Nangarhar
province to develop a
number of public service
announcements intended to
motivate the Afghans to
come together as a team
and take charge of their
own development.
Finally, thank you for
all of the support you have
provided us from back
home ... our mail truck
always seems to be loaded
t o t h e b r i m a n d o u r
network bandwidth stays
full as well!
Message from the Commander
I N S I D E T H I S
S E C T I O N :
Senior’s Space 2
Holiday Mail 3
Teachers,
Warriors,
Medics
4
Meet the Team 6
Pictures From
the Field
11
Back at the
Homestead
13
Contact us 14
The Muleskinner Team Mo Agri-business Development Team IV
N O V E M B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 0 V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 6
D R I V I N G
T H E T E A M
Commander
Col. Fortune
Deputy
Commander
Lt. Col. Charles
Senior Enlisted
Advisor
Senior Master
Sgt. Blankenship
www.facebook.com/
MONG.ADTIV
P A G E 2
Who’s counting?
H ello everyone,
i t is the old
guy they call
“Senior.”
I, along with 64 other
Soldiers and Airmen left
my home in late May,
headed to a place call
Camp Clark. This would
be the first stop of our
long journey as Missouri
ADT IV, as we headed to
FOB Finley Shields ,
Afghanistan. In case you
forgot, Camp Clark was
the place where we did
PT every morning at
“O”500.
Robin Williams once
said: “What does the „O‟
stand for? … Oh my god
it‟s early!” That was 5
months ago and is seems
like yesterday.
Despite the intensive
training and the long
days, there are 61 of us
still going strong, Army
strong. Where do we get
t h i s s t r e n g t h …
Diversi ty! We have
Soldiers and Airmen that
come from all walks of
life who work together
T h e y w o r k h a r d
together everyday to
ensure that at the end of
the day they can say
“mission complete.”
They say that strength
comes in numbers. From
an ADT perspective, that
number would be 19. We
had 19 members of this
t e a m t h a t h a d a n
unacceptable PT score
when we started this
adventure. That is, just
under one-third of the
team could not perform
enough push-ups or sit-
ups, or run two miles fast
enough to meet military
standards.
Well, let me tell you
… “OMG it‟s early,”
paid off. We are hoping
that on the first Friday in
December, we will have
passed everyone on our
team.
Not only have they
worked hard to pass, 14
members of our team
have f ini shed a ha lf
marathon s ince their
arrival in Afghanistan.
That‟s 13.1 miles or
33.25 laps around the
motor pool … now that
calls for an OMG. Five
months ago they had no
i d e a w h a t a h a l f
marathon was and now
t h e y o w n a m e d a l
proving they‟ve finished
one.
We igh t a mi nu te ,
that‟s not all. Yes …
weight … and lack of it.
There are three members
of our team that have lost
over 40 pounds. Not
because they don‟t like
the food but because of a
lot of hard work and
discipline on their part.
We actually have a
biggest loser count to see
how much weight we
will lose by the end of
our tour. Next month is
the half-way point and
we will be weighing in
for the results. But you
will have to stay tuned
until next month to see
where we are.
(Continued on page 5)
T H E M U L E S K I N N E R T E A M
By Senior Master Sgt. Jerry
Blankenship
October
Board
NCO of the
month:
SGT Lackey
Soldier of
the month:
SPC Brown
I n last month’s news letter we found out how we get the mail to our Soldiers and Airmen here at
the Forward Operating Base. Now let’s take a look at what it takes for our Soldiers and Airmen to get the Christmas presents home to their families.
Some Soldiers and Airmen shop on the internet. This has its own difficulties. Do you have it delivered straight to our homes? That doesn’t work very well, so the Soldiers and Airmen find someone to send it to. Then how do we get them wrapped and deliv-ered to the correct person. Most of them have a friend or family member help us.
For example, one Soldier sent his daughter’s gift to his wife to wrap and put under the tree. He sent his wife’s gift to his daughter to do the same. Nei-ther knows about the other. Another sent the fami-ly’s gifts to his parents. Still others have someone in the states shop for them, wrap them and take them to the recipient.
Others choose to buy the gifts locally. Until re-cently, a bazaar was held here every other Friday. Venders from the local area and Kabul brought goods in to the FOB and try sell what they can. The prices are very high at the start, but if one haggles, you may get a deal. They offered a local variety of everything from jewelry, knifes , scarves for the ladies, Persian rugs, and Afghan clothing.
Here at the FOB we have three shops, including a jewelry shop with locally made products, and a cou-ple shops that have a little of everything. Mostly they sell movies, cheap watches, marble tea sets, locally carved boxes and wood curios, and electronic devices and accessories .
Still others go over to FOB Fenty and shop within the rows of shops there; they have a greater selec-tion. FOB Fenty also has a small post exchange/base
exchange operated by the Army and Air Force exchange service or AAFES.
Once the gifts are purchased we have to send them home. First the previous problem still exists, who do I send it to? They still cannot wrap them due to postal regulations and lack of wrapping paper.
They also have to find a box; not the easiest thing to do. Usually they recycle boxes sent from home or from supply. Then they have to ship them.
Some Soldiers and Airmen load the gifts and boxes up and take them on a convoy to FOB Fenty directly to a post office. Once at the post office they have to wait in line to have them inspected for contraband. Then they wait in another line to have them weighed and pay for shipment.
The other option is to ship them from FOB Finley-Shields. They don’t have to load everything up and convoy, which takes several hours, but the post office only comes here once a month. The process is the same but the wait can be up to three or four hours for the inspection. Then the wait is about the same for weighing and payment. Both can be ex-tremely frustrating and timely.
Finally the unwrapped gifts are on the way to someone that assists us by wrapping and delivering the gifts.
We thank all the people who help make this possi-ble. This is truly a group effort.
No matter what the Soldiers and Airmen decided to do, this all had to be accomplished by the 12th of November to insure delivery by Christmas.
So on Christmas morning when the gifts are opened, please take the time to remember the thoughtful planning and effort your Soldiers and Air-men took to get the packages to their loved ones.
V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 6
P A G E 3
T H E M U L E S K I N N E R T E A M
By Master Sgt. Steven Bradley
To: you
From: Me
HOLIDAY MAIL
P A G E 4
T he combat medic
of today is the
most technically
advanced ever produced
by the United States Ar-
my. The ability to save
lives in war, conflicts,
and humanitarian inter-
ventions requires a spe-
cific skill set. The com-
bat medic must be an
expert in emergency
me d i c a l c a r e , f o r ce
health protection, limited
primary care, evacuation,
and warrior skills.
The history of the
combat medic is rich in
pride and tradition. The
Grand Armee of Napole-
an was the first to use
trained and equipped sol-
diers to aid those on the
battlefield. During the
American Civil War sur-
geon Jonathon Letter-
man, Medical Director of
the Army of the Poto-
mac, developed an inte-
grated medical and evac-
uation system. This sys-
tem with its own dedicat-
ed vehicles, organiza-
tions, facilities, and per-
sonnel was first used at
the battle of Antietam.
However, it wasn‟t until
World War I that medics
fought alongside of fel-
low sold iers . Af ter
World War I medics re-
ceived medical advanced
training. Soldiers in
World War II had a survival
rate over three times that of
World War I.
The Korean War saw the
advent of mobile surgical
hospitals. The Vietnam War
was the first time medics
rode a lo n g s id e o f t he
wounded and gave birth to
the flight medic. Today
evacuation of the wounded is
p e r f o r m e d t h r o u g h
H M M W V a m b u l a n c e s ,
MRAPs, armored tracked
vehicles, and Blackhawk hel-
icopters.
The purpose of the ADT
medics is to carry on this
tradition. We are equipped
with three medics (Sgt. Jason
C r a p p s , S p e c . T h o ma s
Lohmann, Spec. Thomas
Brown) on our ADT mission
and we have at least one
medic on every mission.
“Being a medic is a stress-
ful yet rewarding job. It real-
ly feels good to be able to
make a difference. When I
see my treatment help one of
my soldiers or one of the lo-
cal children, it gives me a
real sense of pride in what I
do,” says Brown.
Our job is to preserve the
fighting strength. We accom-
plish this with training in ad-
vanced airway techniques,
bandages, dressings, and co-
agulants that slow down or
completely stop bleeding.
Other skills include training
in intravenous fluids and
medications, treatment of
burns, musculoskeletal inju-
ries, abdominal and head in-
juries , and t reatment of
shock.
Lt. Col. Charles, ADT
deputy commander says,
"The ADT medics are highly-
skilled, extremely profession-
al Soldiers who make signifi-
cant contributions to each
mission. They're trained and
equipped for the entire range
(Continued on page 5)
V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 6
“The combat
medic must be
an expert in
emergency
medical care,
force health
protection,
evacuation,
and warrior
skills.”
By Spec. Thomas Lohmann and
Spec. Thomas Brown
Spec. Thomas
Brown places a
bandage on a
young boy in
Achin on Nov.
14. The child had
a wound loosely
wrapped in
plastic and
doctored with a
traditional
Afghan remedy
of black paste,
which is believed
to fight infection.
The boy’s hand
was oozing and
swollen.
P A G E 5 V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 6
of medical requirements. They are capable of
bandaging an Afghan child's scrapped-up
knee one minute or saving a Soldier's life the
next minute."
The job also includes training fellow sol-
diers in combat lifesaver skills. This includes
use of tourniquets, pressure dressings, basic
splinting, chest needle decompression, and
litter carries. One of our biggest concerns is
environmental injuries, heat injuries in partic-
ular. Heat injuries include heat cramps, heat
exhaustion, and heat stroke.
We often have to wear many hats. We
may need to be doctor, psychologist, teacher,
and fighting soldier. Our mission is summed
up best in the medic prayer:
Oh Lord, I ask for your divine strength to
meet the demands of my profession. Help me
to be the finest medic, both technically and
tactically. If I am called to the battlefield,
give me the courage to conserve our fighting
forces by providing medical care to all who
are in need. If I am called to a mission of
peace, give me the strength to lead by caring
for those who need my assistance. Finally,
Lord, help me take care of my own spiritual,
physical, and emotional needs. Teach me to
trust in your presence and never failing love.
The deadline to send mail holiday packages to troops in Afghanistan was Nov. 12 for
Christmas delivery but it‟s not too late to drop off a last minute package.
Letters and cards should be sent by early December and Express Mail Military Service
packages should be sent by Dec. 18 for Christmas delivery. Mail sent to APO addresses is
only charged the domestic rate.
Furthermore, a special rate of $12.50 is in effect from USPS for large Priority Mail flat-
rate boxes sent to servicemembers.
For more information on military shipping and dates, visit www.usps.com.
Holiday mail– you still have time
By the way, where exactly are we, where
have we been, and where are we going? The
team has had 14 half marathoners, 9 soldiers
promoted to a higher rank, 3 Soldier/Airman
and NCO of-the-month winners, 3 members
who have lost over 40 lbs, and 23 teammates
enrolled in classes to further their education.
We‟ve also formed Bob‟s Construction
Crew, Big E and T‟s Pizzaria, Dana‟s
Delights, and a Muleskinner‟s Facebook page.
In December, we expect 100% passing
scores for PT at which point the team will
have run over 3000 miles and conducted 100+
missions.
We a l so ha ve wa s he r t ou rn a me n t
champions, a Halloween costume contest
winner, a child born (back home), and two
Soldiers getting married while home on leave.
And by the way, I‟ve eaten over 14,000 pieces
of red licorice.
The Muleskiners are kicking it up. Army
says “Hooah!” Air Force says “Hilton!” and
we all say “Muleskinners!”
P A G E 6
ADT Civil Engineer
T h e M i s s o u r i
Agri-Business
Development
Team engineer
officer in charge is an
example of a Missouri
Soldier using civilian
acquired skills to support
the ADT mission.
1st Lt . J eremy D.
Berendzen has been an
active duty cavalry scout
and a military policeman
as an enlisted Soldier.
He was commissioned
through the Reserve
Officers‟ Training Corps
over fou r yea rs ago
through the University of
M i s s o u r i - C o l u m b i a
where he graduated with
a c i v i l e n g i n e e r i n g
degree.
For the past year and
ha l f , as an engineer
officer, he has been able
t o p u t h i s c i v i l i a n
education into play for
the National Guard.
He is assigned to the
Training Site Command
at Ft. Leonard Wood as a
des ign engineer and
works full-time for the
Missouri National Guard
as a design and projects
ma na ge r . Now, h i s
education and experience
are utilized to support the
management of ADT
projects and his input is
critical when reviewing
project proposals.
H e s a y s , “ I a m
enjoying my position as a
project manager and civil
engineer. My goal is to
ensure the U.S. taxpayer
is getting their money‟s
worth on projects and the
Afghans are getting the
safest , most rel iable
products”.
This is Berendzen‟s
second mobilization. He
deployed in 2001-2002
as a military policeman
wi th the 1138th MP
company as a part of
Operation Noble Eagle.
Berendzen is from
M a r y s H o m e a n d
graduated high school
from Blair Oaks. He is
married to Tori and they
have two children. His
parents, Dan and Carol,
live in Wardsville.
He says he enjoys
spending time with his
family. He also likes
outdoor activities like
g o i n g t o t h e r i v e r ,
hunting, shooting, and
especially archery.
He recently returned
from his mid-tour leave
and says he spent some
of his time away at the
MU homecoming game
and visiting the Corner
Market in Marys Home
for dinner and some beer.
He and Tori are also
very happy to learn that
another baby Berendzen
i s d u e i n J u l y .
Congratulations to you
both!
T H E M U L E S K I N N E R T E A M
By Capt. Marie Orlando
1st. Lt. Jeremy Berendzen discusses a solar well project in Achin district
with a village elder on Oct. 9.
P A G E 7
Gates: Paving the way for the next ADT
In most units
there is a person so
critical, that without
them, a unit cannot
f u n c t i o n a n d t h e
commander will be the
first to point out the
supp ly se rgean t a s
being that key player.
Every Soldier and
Airman understands
tha t a good supply
sergeant not only keeps
t h e m c l o t h e d a n d
equipped, but makes
their lives better under
t h e w o r s t o f
circumstances. That
role is filled by Sgt. 1st
Class Damon Gates, the
l o g i s t i c s n o n
commissioned officer
i n c h a r g e f o r t h e
M i s s o u r i N a t i o n a l
Guard Agri-Business
Development Team IV.
Gates says , “My
g o a l s f o r t h i s
d e p l o y me n t a r e t o
supply the members of
A D T w i t h a l l t h e
equipment they need,
ensure that I leave the
property book in as
good or better condition
than when I received it
and take care of the
soldiers appointed to me.
I want to hand off to the
next team‟s S-4 NCOIC a
good logistics program
s o t h e y c a n h i t t h e
ground running.”
Gates served in the
Marine Corps prior to
joining the MONG ten
yea r s a go . He i s a
member of the Active
G u a r d a n d R e s e r v e
program and works as a
recruiter for the 27th
Recruiting Command,
Area 3 based a t the
Warrensburg Store Front.
He deployed with the
M a r i n e s i n 1 9 9 8 i n
support of the Kosovo
C a m p a i g n w i t h t h e
Battalion Landing Team
1st Bn, 6th Marines, 24th
Marine Expeditionary
Unit.
Gates graduated from
the University of Central
M i s s o u r i w i t h a
bachelor‟s in economics
and earned his masters in
business administration
from Webster University.
Gates likes to hunt
and go trout fishing along
with hanging out with the
family. He intends to
spend t ime wi th h i s
family during R&R.
H e h a s p l a n s f o r
everyone. He intends to
take his wife Cassie to
the cabin at Bennet t
Springs for a couple of
days. He and his son are
going to the movies and
he said he will hold his
little girl and read her a
book at bedtime.
He is originally from
Texas City, Texas where
h i s parents Ron and
Darlene Gates both still
live.
T H E M U L E S K I N N E R T E A M
“I want to
hand off to
the next
team’s S-4
NCOIC a good
logistics
program so
they can hit
the ground
running.”
P A G E 8
She can do it!
Third time is a charm S pec. John D. Buell
joined the Missouri
Agri-Business Develop-
ment Team as a gunner
for the Security Force
Platoon. His home unit
is Det. 1, 1438th Engi-
neer Company (Multi
Role Bridge Company),
where he is assigned as a
bridge crewmember.
He has been in the
Missouri National Guard
for 11 years. This is his
third time serving with
the Missouri National
Guard on a mobilization.
In 2004 he mobilized
for Operation Noble Ea-
gle to Dugway Proving
G r o u n d , U t a h a s a
S E C F O R m e m b e r .
Then, two years later he
served with Operation
Jumpstart in Yuma, Ariz.
on the Mexican border as
part of an entry identifi-
cation team.
Buell works for Tri-
umph Foods as a quality
assurance technician. He
lives in Milan where his
parents also live.
He likes to spend time
with family and friends,
hunting, fishing and rid-
ing ATVs. He is looking
forward to seeing his
daughter when he returns
to Missouri for his mid-
tour leave.
D e v e l o p m e n t T e a m
Security Force Platoon.
S p e c . V i r g i n i a
Fletcher is one of three
women assigned to the
SECFOR platoon. She
j o ined t he Mi s so ur i
National Guard three and
h a l f ye a r s a go a s a
welder with the 1438th
E n g i n e e r C o m p a n y
( M u l t i Ro l e B r i d g e
Company), Macon.
“This deployment has
taught me a lot about
myself and what I want
to do with my life. It has
brought me closer to my
family,” she said.
She has worked for
R o s i e t h e
Riveter was a
fictional icon
representing
the generation of women
that took up the jobs left
by men during WWII.
The famous poster by
J. Howard Miller titled
We Ca n Do I t ! wa s
rediscovered by a new
generation of women
seeking to join the male-
dominated workforce-
and the U.S. Army.
This spirit of progress
a n d b r a v e r y i s
represented today, not by
popular icons, but by real
women working for the
Missouri Agri-Business
the Missouri Military
Funeral Honors Program
for a year as a team
member.
Fletcher has a four
year old son, Hunter, and
has promised to take him
to Pizza Hut as soon as
she gets back. He turns
five in January and hopes
to make it home for his
birthday.
She is also looking
forward to spending time
wi th t he r es t of her
family and friends during
her R&R.
She is from Kingdom
City and graduated high
s c h o o l f r o m N o r t h
Callaway R-1.
T H E M U L E S K I N N E R T E A M
P A G E 9
S taff Sgt. Robert C.
Taggart, Missouri Air
National Guard, is a
member of the Security
Force Platoon.
Taggart has 17 years
total in the military and
has a varied background.
He served with the U.S.
Mar ine Corps a s an
infantryman. Then he
joined the Army for four
y e a r s a s a r e c o r d ‟ s
specialist. He has also
served as a mi l i t ary
p o l i c e m a n f o r t h e
Missouri Army National
Guard. When his unit
was moved to St. Louis
he considered getting
out; but instead chose to
join the Air National
Guard and s tayed in
Jefferson City.
He said, “I knew what
I was getting into when I
volunteered. I thought it
was a perfect fit, since I
was in the Army before.
I spoke both languages
[Army and Air Force]
and thought I could be of
help. With my infantry
experience, I knew that
part wouldn‟t be any
problem.”
The ADT mission in
Nangarhar allows him to
enjoy the rugged Army
lifestyle, complete with
arcane rules and policies
that defy any logic, yet
secure in the knowledge
that upon his return to
Missouri he will once
aga in be Ai r Force ,
pampered and under the
loose rule of those that
trust in the sanity of their
membership.
Taggart said, “I love
my job here and the
people I work with”.
Taggart is assigned as
a security manager with
the Air National Guard
Headquar t e r s a t Ike
Skelton Training Site,
Jefferson City. He has
worked the past seven
years at ISTS full time as
a classification specialist
with Human Resources.
He enjoys hunting
when he has time. When
h e g o e s h o m e t o
Jefferson City for his mid
-tour break he is looking
forward to breathing the
clean air of Missouri and
seeing his family.
He is married to Lorri
and they have t hree
children, Bailey, Kyle
and Jeffery.
By Capt. Marie Orlando
T H E M U L E S K I N N E R R E P O R T
Bi-lingual SECFOR member
“I knew what I
was getting
into when I
volunteered. I
thought it was
a perfect fit,
since I was in
the Army
before.”
1Lt. Miciah Pyatt and Staff Sgt. Robert Taggart, SECFOR. It is believed by
some that it is good luck to have these two together and they are photo-
graphed together on missions.
P A G E 1 0
Doing extra duty
T here are jobs
w i t h t h e
Missouri National Guard
A g r i - B u s i n e s s
Development Team that
d o n o t h a v e
corresponding positions
back in the U.S. within
traditional units. 1st Lt.
Jody McCall, in addition
t o w o r k i n g a s a n
agriculture specialist,
performs a couple of
those extra duties.
McCall is the manager
of the Commander‟s
Emergency Response
Program. CERP funds
a r e u s e d b y t h e
a g r i c u l t u r e t e a m t o
p r o v i d e s h o r t t e r m
injections of funds into a
region to allow Afghans
to perform community
improvement projects.
The training started
back at Camp Clark, but
it required McCall to
pick up the regulations
and policies and study
them on his own to really
understand the legal
minutiae required to meet
the commander‟s intent
while also protecting the
unit from unknowingly
misusing the funds.
McCall is also the
officer-in- charge of the
forward operating base
PX, which is ran by the
ADT members as part of
t h e i r F O B
responsibi l i t ies . He
ensu res t he s to r e i s
stocked, manned and
operated according to the
regulations.
“My goal is to leave
this place better than
when we arrived” he
says.
McCall joined the
ADT from HHC, 35th
Engineer Brigade, Ft.
Leonard Wood where he
i s a s s i g n e d a s t h e
c o m p a n y e x e c u t i v e
officer. He has been in
the military for over eight
years and served in the
Navy prior to joining the
National Guard.
He deployed with the
Navy to South Korea as a
mine countermeasure air
crewman aboard MH-
5 3 E S e a d r a g o n
he l icopters wi th the
H e l i c o p t e r M i n e
C o u n t e r m e a s u r e
Squadron 15.
He works for Aerofil
Tech Inc. in Sullivan as
a n e n v i r o n m e n t a l
e n g i n e e r . M c C a l l
a t t e n d e d W e b s t e r
University and earned a
ma s t e r ‟ s o f s c i e nc e
degree.
He l ives in Dixon
where his parents, Joseph
and Barbara McCall also
reside. McCall is married
to Jennifer and they have
two children.
By Capt. Marie Orlando
T H E M U L E S K I N N E R R E P O R T
By Capt. Marie Orlando
1st Lt. Jody McCall is an agricul-
ture specialist and LNO for Surkh
Rod district.
P A G E 1 1
Pictures from the field
For more photographs of our activities and some video clips, visit us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MONG.ADTIV
V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 6
COL Fortune helps unload tools being inventoried
by the AEA at for use on a Cash-for-Work project.
CPT Paluczak shakes hands with the AEA at
Dih Bala that was captured by the Taliban and
released after hours of fighting by hundreds of
angry villagers demanding his release.
Group shot of sandbag detail. Hundreds of
bags were filled for ADT FOB
Improvement Day.
The ADT goes to the firing range on a
regular basis.
MSG Dana Squires is promoted by COL
Fortune and SMSgt changes out her hat.
Unit members take an operational pause to
get a group shot during a mission.
Workers clean and repair a karize in Bati
Kot district.
SSG Maloney, SGT Runyon, SPC
Brown and MSG Weber move out on
a dismounted security mission.
SPC Berryman ties a sandbag for the ADT
FOB Improvement Day.
P A G E 1 2
In the spirit of the holidays
V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 6
SMSgt Blankenship prepares for the
Halloween Race.
SPC Lane had two costumes–
but he sported a bald head in
both! Here is poses next to his
inspiration, MSG Weber.
SPC Lane or is it MSG Weber?? He
gave everyone a big shock, but after
the laughter, he won the Halloween
costume contest.
ADT gathers for a Veteran’s Day
Remembrance ceremony.
1LT Pyatt was a close runner-
up for the Halloween costume
contest.
SSG Colson and SSG Reynolds
are guilty, not sure of what, but
definitely guilty.
Runners line up for the Ft. Benning Infantry
10K and Half Marathon
Thanksgiving– looks like CPT Huenink is giving more
than he got.
Thanksgiving and a BBQ the following Sunday! SFC Gates serves up steaks to MSG Weber and SFC Travis. MSG Squires baked desserts both days.
Name (NO RANK)
MONG ADT IV
FOB Finley-Shields
APO, AE 09310
A HEARTY THANKS TO ALL
THE FOLKS THAT HAVE SENT
DONATIONS TO THE UNIT
MEMBERS AND AFGHAN
CHILDREN:
Angela Lanaker
Hero Hugs
Missouri 4-H
USO
Maloney Family
Jim and Katie Roberson
Dennis O’Leary, Local 136 Fenton
Rick and Mary Rutledge
James Tinder
Holly Cronk
Alice Howard
Dr. James Maxwell and Staff. Crestwood
Dental Group
Michelle Paluczak
Operation Gratitude
Give us a holler!
MONG
ADT IV
Celebrating Birthdays in December
Anniversaries
● Eli and Amber Colson
● William and Laura Fox
● Johnnie and Gina Sims
SPC Cronk MSG Squires 1LT Wischmeyer Michael Garcia
SFC Gates TSgt Taggart Cayla Chapman Natalie Huenink
SGT Rios SGT Walker Amanda Clouse
www.facebook.com/MONG.ADTIV
The Muleskinner Team provides a
monthly update for families and
friends of the Nangarhar Missouri
National Guard Development Team.
The Muleskinner Report provides
insights and analysis on the
Nangarhar Missouri National Guard
Development Team’s mission. If you
have questions or comments on the
Muleskinner Report, please contact
Col. Mike Fortune at
Mike.Fortune@afghan.swa.army.mil
The Muleskinner is an unofficial publication au-
thorized by AR 360-1. It is published monthly
by the Missouri Agribusiness Development
Team IV to provide important information re-
lated to their deployment for the Soldiers and
Airmen, their Families, units and commands,
the Army, DOD and the public.
Views and opinions expressed in the
Muleskinner are not necessarily those of the
Department of the Army or DOD.
If you would like to receive this publication to
your email or have questions or comments
concerning ADT IV please contact:
marie.orlando@us.army.mil
Public Affairs Officer
Capt. Marie Orlando
ADT IV
MONG
ADT IV
• Family Readiness Group Leader Paula Ann Maloney
417.250.1703 or 417.683.3711
• ArmyOne Source 800.342.9647
• Family Program Office 800.299.9603
• Family Assistance Center 877.236.4168
• Deployed Pay Issues 877.276.4729
• Employer Support of Guard and Reserve
573.638.9500 ext. 7730
• 131st Fighter Wing Coord. 314.527.6362
• 139th Fighter Air Lift Wing Coord. 816.236.3511
• Military Family Life Consultants
- Child/Youth (Amy Bledsoe) 573.418.3588
- Adult (Phil Pringle) 573.418.3588
• JFHQ-MO Chaplain 573.638.9618
Back at the homestead
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