B U S I N E S S N A M E

Rough Rider Connection F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 1 V O L U M E I , I S S U E 2

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

I N T E R E S T :

A Message from RR7

Trauma Training

Archangels Train with

ANA Soldiers

Air Load Operations

Assassin Training with

ANA Soldiers

Alpha Ammo Dawgs

Resiliency through Sup-

port

FOB Forge Bazaar

Black Knights Training

JRTC Snapshots

Contributors:

1LT Betsy Arndt

Battalion Public Affairs Officer

Some jobs require you to travel a lot, so your

alarm clock could be a hotel phone waking you up. For others, you wake up next to your loved one every morning

without fail. Here on FOB Forge, we wake up to simulated artillery rounds between 0500-0630 every morning during Force-on-Force.

As we complete our training mission here at the Joint Readiness Training Center, we wanted to take a few moments to reflect on some highlights. Our last day of Force-on-Force ended with an attack on the Entry Control Point (ECP) by Opposing Force (OPFOR) Soldiers. They threw everything they had at our Black Knight Soldiers at the gate: rocket-propelled grenades, small arms fires, even a vehicle-borne IED...all to no avail. For the first time in the recent memory of our Trainer/Mentors (T/M), the OPFOR was not able to gain entry to the FOB; our Soldier repelled the attack, “killed” the enemy, and kept the three battalions that live on FOB Forge safe and secure.

The Assassins continued to deliver commodities all over the brigade area of opera-tions, all the while providing security with their convoy escort team (CET) platoon. They ensured that all classes of supply were pushed to each maneuver unit in a safe and timely manner, driving hundreds of miles under the most stressful conditions. Alpha Company Soldiers were recognized on many occasions by the T/Ms for demon-strating best practices in both the field warehouse and the ammunition holding area. The CET remained vigilant on the road, resulting in ZERO “casualties” during the ex-ercise.

The Black Knights not only secured the gate, they were recognized by the T/Ms as being the first maintenance company in many rotations to perform routine mainte-nance while at JRTC; no small feat, as over one third of the company was not working in the motor pool on a daily basis.

The Archangels quickly reacted to medical “emergencies” that arrived to the FOB by air and ground. They also treated civilian patients that came to the gate with critical life-threatening injuries. Though they deployed with 50% of their authorized strength, you wouldn't’ know it by the quality of care that they provided. They worked hand-in-hand with the HQ staff, tracking casualties and promoting partnership with the Afghan Army. HHC worked hard tracking the battle, and synchronizing complex movements all across the BCT area of operations.

We are so proud of all that your Soldiers have accomplished here at JRTC; they are trained, confident and competent in their Warrior skills. We are also very thankful for all of you at home at FCCO for keeping us in your prayers, and continuing to support us from afar. We look forward to seeing you soon. Rough Riders! Scott P. Dugan Todd S. Bertulis CSM, USA LTC, LG Command Sergeant Major Commanding

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

P A G E 2

Story by SPC Jessica Malbrough

When you walk in the 204th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) Aid Station, what do you typically find? You would probably observe a variety of medics in their ACU’s taking vitals of patients, practicing needle sticks on their peers, restocking supplies, and carry-ing on other day-to-day opera-tions; overall it is not much of a sight. However, if you were to have walked into that very same aid station at 0340 on February 18, 2011 you would have seen a completely differ-ent sight. You would have seen a variety of uniform com-binations: PT shirt with PT shorts, tan t-shirt with PT shorts, ACU bottoms with tan t-shirt, full ACUs, etc., socks appeared to be optional. There would have been six,

sometimes eight sets of hands flying over one body doing everything they possibly could to help out their fallen com-rade. You would have heard a string of numbers and acro-nyms being shouted out while a recorder frantically tried to jot everything down. You would have seen Charlie Company, 204th BSB doing what they do best: providing superior medical care. During the course of JRTC, the Charlie Company 204th BSB medics have gotten to experience this sight first hand on numerous occasions through notional mass casu-alty exercises. These exer-cises are, more often than not, planned at inconvenient times in order to keep us on our toes; such as, right as we are sitting down with our plates of food at the dining facility or right as we are about to walk in the door to our sleep quar-ters at the end of a long shift. When the announcement of incoming casualties first comes in you would observe a previously spread out group of medics immediately scurrying to a trauma bed, setting them-selves up into groups of three or four people, ideally four. Typically, the most experi-enced of that group would po-sition themselves at the head of the bed. This person is considered the “head person”. Responsibilities of the head person includes ensuring a patent airway and mainte-nance of that airway, as well as directing the other people on the bed of things that they

may possibly skip over. Two of the people would position themselves on each side of the bed. These people are in charge of everything from the shoulders on down, to in-clude blood sweeps, any necessary interventions, monitoring vital signs, and gaining vascular access. Finally, the fourth person would place him or herself in a position that will not inter-fere with the work of their peers and is the recorder as long as a fourth set of hands are not needed. Throughout the course of treatment you would also see a provider at or near the bed for any inter-ventions that are above a medic’s scope of practice, as well as for guidance and edu-cation. The experience and knowl-edge that we have gained through this training is noth-ing short of amazing. Be-tween our senior NCOs, ex-perienced peers, and provid-ers we have learned far more than we ever could have imagined prior to coming to JRTC. Throughout the course of JRTC, we have expanded our knowledge of advanced airways, medica-tions, splinting, and other lifesaving interventions that are necessary during trauma situations. Charlie Company will continue furthering their skill level even after our re-turn from JRTC in order to ensure the safe return of 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. from Afghanistan.

In the Photo: SPC Malbrough

as the “head person” along with

PV2 Gilliam and PV2 Gomez

perform as a trauma team.

V O L U M E I , I S S U E 2 JRTC Snapshots P A G E 7

FOB Forge Goes Bazaar

P A G E 6

By 1LT Betsy Arndt, PAO

For the first time, on February 22,

2011 Soldiers of Forward Operat-

ing Base (FOB) Forge had the op-

portunity to attend a market which

sold crafts, bags, beverages, and

food. The opportunity came a few

days ago when a man from a

nearby village, called Sangan, ap-

proached the gate stating that he

wanted to open a bazaar on FOB

Forge to sell items to the Sol-

diers.

The 204th BSB’s Company Intel-

ligence Support Team (CoIST)

took his personal information,

including fingerprints and found

that he was clear in the system,

so the command decided to see

how we could “Make it Happen”.

After that, the man came to the

gate everyday with his mother

and his brother, waiting until we

could tell him to bring in his

goods. First we had to find out if

it would be allowed. Next we

had to determine how were we

going to keep everyone on the

FOB safe, so concrete barriers

were arranged in the area cho-

sen for them to set up and to-

gether with our Scorpion

brothers and sisters we pro-

vided over watch.

Lessons were learned and

the opportunities were as-

sessed. This bazaar pro-

vides stimulus for the local

economy and eventually

could provide employment.

Expansion is likely so build-

ing, supply, and security con-

tracts will be sought from the

local community.

Not only did the experience

of opening a market on the

FOB provide learning to

some planners, other Sol-

diers learned some basics on

the culture in markets.

Bravo Company Soldiers Shop at the Market at FOB Forge

Black Knights Continue Vehicle Services

do what needs to be done:

vehicle services. Without

these critical procedures, our

convoys, supply deliveries

and medical evacuations

would not be successful.

They’re giving the important

task of maintaining the

force for the Rough Rid-

ers.

The Black Knights of 204th

BSB are fulfilling their re-

sponsibilities in many areas.

From securing the FOB and

controlling the entry control

point (ECP) to their main

specialty of vehicle mainte-

nance. Although there are

many firefights and mortar

attacks surrounding them,

the Black Knights continue to

Bravo Company

Mech Platoon

Soldiers complete

engine services

during JRTC

By 1LT Betsy Arndt

P A G E 3

Air Load Operations

Basic First Aid Taught to ANA Soldiers

Being successful on the battle-

field is not just a matter of having

superior fire power or equip-

ment, but also about ensuring

the health of personnel and re-

turning those injured back to the

battle. Conserving the fighting

force and saving lives begins

with basic lifesaving skills at the

point of injury.

During basic training, our Sol-

diers learn basic combat life sav-

ing skills. Placing tourniquets on

wounds, using gauze to wrap

injuries, and maintaining airways

are all vital in providing precious

minutes to a casualty’s timeline

in order to reach a higher eche-

lon of care. This has proven to

be a most valuable asset in our

success and knowledge that

should be passed to those we

are helping. In order to build an

Afghanistan security force that

can hold its own in the drawn out

and often violent battle taking

place in their soil, combat life-

saving (CLS) is an essential.

We have to build a force that can

sustain itself against the same

enemies we are fighting against.

Our mission on this particular day

was to not only achieve this goal

of building a sustainable ally

force, but building camaraderie

between two countries and cul-

tures.

Overcoming obstacles, such as

language barriers and culture,

three Charlie Company Soldiers

put together a class to introduce

basic CLS skills to a small group

of Scorpions from the 5/4/205th

Combat Service Support Afghani-

stan National Army (ANA). SSG

Marcus Reid supervised the train-

ing as PV2 Gilliam walked the

Scorpions through the instruction

and PV2 Lynch interpreted.

Described as attentive listeners

and quick learners, the group

worked through applying direct

pressure to wounds, keeping

pressure via emergency trauma

bandages, and wrapping

sprained extremities.

Taking a moment out of his busy

training schedule, PV2 Guilliam

took a mo-

ment to talk

about this

experience.

“This train-

ing gave me

a great feel

for how it

will be downrange.

We will be in a train-

ing and support role

as our time goes on,

and we need to know how to

approach and teach the Soldiers

of Afghanistan so that they may

be able to help themselves. But

I must admit, the most fun part of

this training was demonstrating

a NPA (tube put into the nose to

maintain airway) on PV2 Lynch!”

Though training is winding down,

there is still a plethora of knowl-

edge to be funneled down from

the teachers to the Soldier. The

better equipped the Soldiers are

to face the challenges down

range, the better prepared we

will be to accept missions of

equal importance such as this.

tlefield. J R T C provided them an environ-ment in which they could operate in an area more re-alistic to deployment. Coor-dination of deliveries and pick up requires constant synchronization and com-munication. Some of the operations

managed by the SPO are by air and others by wheeled vehicle. Either way, timelines and planning is critical, especially when sending Rough Rider Sol-diers through unknown ar-eas.

The Support Operations (SPO) section of the 204th Brigade Support Battalion coordinates the transporta-tion of all classes of supply beyond basic load, to in-clude mortuary affairs and medical supplies to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Their mission is essential in that they sustain the entire brigade no matter where they are located on the bat-

PV2 Gilliam and PV2

Lynch from Charlie

Company Teach Afghan

Soldiers Basic First Aid

MSG Nolan Johnson,

NCOIC of Support

Operations drives a

HMMWV into the

back of a C-130.

V O L U M E I , I S S U E 2

By 1LT Betsy Arndt, PAO

By SPC Daniel Baker, Charlie Company Medic

for water resupply and sustainment. The Scorpions then had the chance to operate the equipment themselves after the instruction block was completed. Enthusiastic about the hands on training they then were given an instruction brief on retail point fuel operations, defueling, and fuel gauging and even had the opportunity to see the retail point in action. In addition to Distro’s CL I and III training, Trans Platoon

incorporated the Scorpion Soldiers in a Driver’s Training course. SGT Quentin Slavik led the CHU portion of the training, demonstrating and explaining CHU opera-tions and the line of work of a transportation soldier. Scorpions also learned the capabili-ties and operations of the M1120A4 (LHS) and were given hands on training inside the

vehicle. The drivers training experience not only validated Alpha Company’s internal training, but more importantly gave the ANA an understanding of daily BSB operations. Through training and knowledge of supply operations Alpha Company hopes to posture the ANA for increased respon-sibilities and independence. The Assassins have even in-corporated Scorpion Soldiers and vehicles on numerous Convoy Logistic Patrols (CLPs) with the goal being for the Scorpions to lead their own convoys. Besides training on A Co.’s part, the Scorpions have added to our successful CLPs by supplying intelligence and security. All in all, Alpha Co. has had a positive experience partner-ing with the Scorpions for the above mentioned training sessions and hopes to continue this type of training in the future. As we prepare for deployment the COIN fundamen-tals become increasingly important and the Assassins will continue to incorporate them for mission success.

Throughout their time at JRTC the 204th BSB Alpha

Company Assassins have strived to incorporate COIN fundamentals into every aspect of their training. From understanding the Rules of Engagement to learning basic language skills, Alpha Company is making great efforts to grasp the Afghani culture, understand part-nership with the ANA/ANP, and apply the COIN fun-damentals. The Assassins have taken a particular interest in the COIN principle of “every Soldier an am-bassador”, and have used their knowledge of resup-ply operations to train the Rough Rider’s ANA partner Battalion, the “Scorpions”. Soldiers from the Distribution Platoon held training on refueling and water operations. SPC John Young instructed on and demonstrated operating a HIPPO

P A G E 4

Assassins Partner with the Afghan National Army (ANA)

In the Photo:

SPC Joshua

Oliver trains

his fellow Scorpion

Soldier on fuel

levels.

By 2LT Christine Breckenridge

As Alpha Company prepares for rede-ployment to Fort Carson their sustain-ment mission is beginning to wind down; that is with one exception, the Alpha Company Ammo Section. The 89 Bravos (Ammo Specialist) of Alpha Company continue to work tirelessly to complete their task of supporting the

entire 2nd Brigade Combat Team with ammunition. Often the first Sol-diers to the fight and the last out, this dedicated group of 89Bs has pushed over 900,000 rounds to all of the Warhorse Brigade during the JRTC rotation. The Ammo section, part of the A

Co.’s Supply Support Activity (SSA)

Platoon, is comprised of seven hard

working Soldiers and NCOs. SSG

Kat Curry is the section Sergeant

with SSG Joshua Houchin, SGT

Jesse Payton, SGT Marke Ford,

SPC Leland Ross, PFC Robert

Beatty, and PFC Shelia Burwell all

working effortlessly together. This

small group is responsible for re-

ceiving Battalion requests for

ammo, issuing every round, and

then convoying the ammo to its re-

spectable location. And all that

work is during the fight! Now that

the “Force on Force” portion of

JRTC is completed, our ammo spe-

cialists must meticulously sort

through and package every ex-

pended and blank round for turn in.

All this hard work does not go unno-

ticed and Alpha Company is more

than proud of this awesome section.

When asked what kept her moti-

vated to complete every mission

SSG Kat Curry said, “Knowing that

what we do keeps the Brigade

armed in the fight,” something every

Soldier can be thankful for.

By 2LT Christine Breckenridge

In the Photo: Alpha Ammo Section

Resilience: the Army defines it by a person’s ability to overcome adversity. How does one overcome those strug-gles? Is there a check sheet that one goes through or is resilience achieved by a strong sense of camaraderie? Every Soldier has either external or internal struggles they go through. With a calm breath and steady pres-ence at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Forge Dining Facility (DFAC) PFC Gregory Miles sat down at the table, took a deep breath he ex-plained the turmoil that he has faced over the past year that has shaped his military and personal life and how he overcame it. PFC Miles recounted the days in which he faced the loss of his young son Logan Robert Miles, how he struggled to support his wife Jill Marie Miles and daughter Sarah Miles emotionally and mentally through what he described as the darker days. His story is a constant battle he faces within himself and his direction in life. “I rejoined the army to create a stable environment, to provide my family with a second chance at rebuilding our lives; we lost everything.” Two years ago, PFC Miles was at Ft. Leo-nardwood, MO at his Advanced Indi-vidual Training (AIT) when he re-ceived numerous frantic messages from his family stating that his son Logan and wife Jill were injured in a house fire. His son received second and third degree burns over 80 per-cent of his body. Jill received second and third degree burns over 15 per-cent of her body; mostly hands and feet. PFC Miles was not asked to con-tinue his story but strongly felt it nec-essary to recount in detail. He took a deep breath, steadied his hands and retold his story. “It hap-pened so fast, Jill was answering a phone call, then the fire alarm went off, she immediately went down stairs to check on Sarah who was sleeping and found nothing that triggered the alarm. She ran outside the house and nothing, then went back inside and

saw smoke coming out of Logan’s room. She opened the door and noticed the smoke was coming from the closet,” he paused, recol-lecting himself. “She didn’t know that if she opened the door a back draft would happen.” He cleared his throat, “She opened the door and the flames exploded. Logan had hidden behind the dresser in the closet; he was trapped by three walls and wood.” Logan Robert Miles passed away on August 6, 2009. PFC Miles and wife Jill received continuous sup-port from his AIT Command. Senator Mark Udell from Colorado Springs assisted PFC Miles in receiving orders to Fort Carson for continuous family support after his wife finished her burn therapy. “I don’t know when it happened or how I found myself facing the choice that changed my military career. I recall driving home one night and then a sudden wave of emotion hit me. It felt like my heart was ripping, I couldn’t stop crying, I couldn’t pull myself to-gether. What went through my head was simple; I wanted it all to stop.” That one moment changed it all and the following events spi-raled downward. PFC Miles went to his chain of command and informed them of what he had done; “I was stand-ing in front of the Battalion Com-mander and it clicked, this was my chance to show them that this will never happen again or I would be separated from the Army.” LTC Bertulis and CSM Dugan reviewed PFC Miles’ case, lis-tened to his account of hardship and saw in him a chance of re-demption. The BC, CSM and 1SG Perry came to the conclusion that PFC Miles deserved a second chance. “Without the BC, CSM and 1SG’s help, I know I wouldn’t have had this chance, a chance to prove myself everyday to my

family and to become a key member of the Battalion’s Company Intelligence Support Team (CoIST).” When asked about advice to other Sol-diers going through difficult times, PFC Miles stated, “I do not think you can over-come it in one day, for me it’s a constant struggle, to face the guilt day in and day out. I know I have my Commander, my 1SG, and my Non Commissioned Offi-cer (NCO) there for me as a lot of Soldiers do. I can honestly say that the 204

th is here to support

us.” We are never alone, our leaders care, they provide us with chances we may not see clear as day, but they are there. Through-out everything, PFC Miles has been provided support on all lev-els, he has been given the time necessary to provide his family and h imself the therapy needed.CPT Louis Johnson, Company Commander of Head-quarters and Headquarters Com-pany (HHC) holds a strong desire to help each Soldier that enters his company. His belief mirrors that of the Battalion Command, to maintain the welfare of Soldiers. When asked about the overall purpose of the article, CPT John-son responded, “My desire is to show other company command-ers that their first reaction does not need to be a punitive action, but to understand the full spec-trum of Soldiers’ dilemmas.” It is the job of everyone around

us, of leaders and fellow Soldiers,

to notice and support those who

struggle. Resilience is not just

one alone, but a company battle.

By SPC Christina Alvarado

V O L U M E I , I S S U E 2 P A G E 5

PFC Gregory Miles