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G reetings to
the families
o f a l l
M i s s o u r i
A D T I V
Soldiers and Airmen.
Things still seem to
be going very well here
on the other side of the
world in Nangarhar
Province, Afghanistan.
The Security Force
( S EC FOR ) p l a t o o n
con t inues t o do an
outstanding job keeping
the team safe and the
Agriculture Section is
mak in g s i gn i f i can t
progress in empowering
t h e A g r i c u l t u r e
E x t e n s i o n A g e n t s
(AEAs) to better serve
the farmers in their
districts.
W e h a v e n o w
co nd uc t ed t r a in i n g
sessions for the AEAs
i n b o t h P r o j e c t
M a n a g e m e n t a n d
Leadership, and we are
about to sponsor a
n u m b e r o f s m a l l
projects that will be
managed by the AEAs.
We also continue to
w o r k o n p r o j e c t s
unfinished by the prior
ADT . We hope to
close out all of those
p r o j e c t s i n t h e
December – January
timeframe.
Our t ravels have
taken us to a number of
i n t e r e s t i n g p l a c e s
including a Soviet-built
dam and power plant, a
huge state-run olive tree
f a r m , a n o l i v e
processing factory, the
Nangarhar University
c a m p u s , a n d t h e
Nangarhar governor‘s
palace in Jala labad
City.
We have also visited
at least ten districts and
inspected numerous
project work sites and
potential work sites.
The wea ther has
gone from temperatures
in the 110 degree range
in August to a much
more comfortable 75 –
85 degree range these
days.
I can‘t speak for the
rest of the team, but the
f i rs t quarter of our
deployment has flown
by very quickly for me.
I know the Airmen
and Soldiers on the
team really appreciate
the support packages
they get from their
families and friends
back home, so please
keep up the great work!
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
By any other
name
3
Life of a Soldier 4
What it takes to
get mail
5
Commo: All
talk
6
ADT runs Air
Force 10K
7
Meet the Team 8
Mail Deadline 13
Pictures from
the field
14
Back at the
homestead
16
Contact us 17
The Muleskinner Team Mo Agri-business Development Team IV
O C T O B E R 3 1 , 2 0 1 0 V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 5
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
Sweet treats from home
H e l l o
f r o m
the East-side….St. Louis
joke.
F i r s t o f f , l e t m e
congratulate the Soldier
o f t h e M o n t h : S P C
Virginia Fletcher and
NCO of the Month: SGT
Nelson Bunch. The two
not only shined above
o t h e r s i n t h e i r
performance of duties
a n d ca r e fo r f e l l o w
troops, but when meeting
the board they went the
e x t r a mi l e . A l l t h e
candidates did a great job
but we could only pick
one from each group.
Again, congratulation for
a job well done.
We are at that time
during our deployment
for real care packages.
Sending a care package
to a deployed Soldier or
Airman isn‘t really that
difficult. But what do
they need, what should
the package have in it?
Our men and women
always enjoy candy and
their favorite snacks in
their care packages. I
know they say don‘t send
it, they are trying to lose
weight and /or trying to
get into shape while
deployed. Don‘t believe
them, they love candy.
Besides, if they don‘t eat
it, they can share it with
someone who didn‘t get a
package.
Unfortunately, there
are Soldiers and Airmen
t h a t d o n ‘ t g e t c a r e
packages for some reason
o r a n o t h e r . T h a t i s
always a great thing to do
- ask your loved ones, is
there someone they know
in that situation? Maybe
you can send a small box
and surprise them.
Receiving a package
always lifts the spirits to
a height that can‘t be
described. One of the
h a r d e s t t h i n g s t o
overcome when deployed
is the sense of separation.
This is the time of the
y e a r f o r Ha l l o we e n
candy and Christmas
goodies. If you have left
over Halloween candy,
send it to the troops. I am
pretty much a health
freak, but it is hard to
pass up a grab of candy
when I walk by a bowl.
L a s t b u t m o s t
i m p o r t a n t , s e n d
photographs. They are
without question the
most popular content of
any care package. A
picture on top of goodies
when they open their box
sets the mood. I know,
t hey ge t p i c tur es i n
emails, but it just isn‘t
the same. Pictures on
photo paper are real .
P i c t u r e s a r e l i k e a
treasure, shared among
the unit, then hung on the
bedroom ―wall of fame‖.
W e l l h a p p y
packaging…did I forget
to tell you I like red
licorice?
T H E M U L E S K I N N E R T E A M
By Senior Master Sgt. Jerry
Blankenship
SEPTEMBER
BOARD
NCO of the
month:
Sgt BUNCH
Soldier of
the month:
SPC
FLETCHER
Whichever
name is
used, a day
in the life of
Operations
can be
summed up
as “making
things
happen”
P A G E 3 V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 5
T r a i n i n g a n d
O p e r a t i o n s .
OPS. S-3. The 3-shop.
Whichever name is used, a
d a y i n t h e l i f e o f
Operations can be summed
up as ―making th ings
happen.‖
Missouri ADT IV‘s
Operations cell is a two -
man, joint team manned by
Capt. Ken Huenink and
Senior Master Sgt. Steve
Counts.
S - 3 h a s s t a f f
responsibility for plans,
operations, and training as
d i r e c t e d b y t h e
commander.
T h e S -3 t a k e s t h e
command group‘s and the
Ag team‘s requirements
and turns them into daily
missions.
O p e r a t i o n s h a s
numerous da i l y t asks
including preparing the
night ly mission br ief ,
planning future operations,
coordinating with higher
and adjacent units, and
managing flight requests.
The ADT Operations
office is a collage of large
maps, calendars, white
boards , and computer
monitors.
The office gets a lot of
traffic from the Soldiers,
Airmen, and civilians of
t h e b a s e r e q u e s t i n g
coordination for various
tasks involving the ADT.
ADT IV Soldiers and
Airmen visit the office
requesting flights to and
from other bases in the
a r e a . T h e 3 - s h o p
coordinates with a private
C a n a d i a n c o m p a n y ,
M o l s o n A i r , w h i c h
p r o v i d e s e x t r e m e l y
efficient helicopter flights
throughout our area of
operations.
Ops also spends a lot of
time analyzing routes and
terrain on an imagery
program called the Tactical
Ground Reporting system
(which we abbreviate as
TIGR, but – being good
M i s s o u r i a n s – w e
pronounce as TIGER),
which is basically Google
Earth on steroids.
Additionally, the OPS
cell for ADT IV pulls
d o u b l e d u t y a s t h e
Intelligence cell or S-2. S-
2 d u t i e s i n v o l v e
researching and analyzing
enemy activity in the area
to ensure the troops going
on mission have the most
r e c e n t a n d a c c u r a t e
informat ion about the
threats they may face.
Finally, the S-3 acts as
the section leaders for the
Headquarters section, and,
when we get the time, we
d o e n j o y g o i n g o n
missions.
By any other name
By Capt. Ken Huenink
Senior Master Sgt. Steve Counts is the
operations and headquarters sections
non-commissioned officer in charge.
The acrid smell of smoke, sewage and dawn,
waking the FOB with nature's chirps.
That's life as a soldier.
The chingle of dog tags, crunching gravel,
endlessly walking to and fro.
That's life as a soldier.
PT, oh blessed PT,
the pain in your joints, sweat pouring down.
That's life as a soldier.
Three meals a day, the same,
the same today, the same yesterday.
That's life as a soldier.
The weapons are clean, fingers are dirty,
the smell of CLP and kiss of cold steel.
That's life as a soldier.
Ready to go, out into the unknown,
first deployment jitters, old deployment wisdom.
That's life as a soldier.
The last door slams shut, pressure on my ears,
locked in tight, safe but not really.
That's life as a soldier.
The engine roars, radio chatter nonstop.
Is today the day, the one dreaded day?
That's life as a soldier.
Time flees, scenes whiz by the tiny window,
archaic, ancient, but today, right now.
That's life as a soldier.
Relief. We're inside. All are still one,
removed weight, more than helmets and plates.
That's life as a soldier.
Family, none related but all brothers,
I do for you as you would give for me.
That's life as a soldier.
Because we all stand together,
live, breath and fight – together.
That is our life, as a soldier.
Anonymous Author
MONG ADT IV
V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 5
P A G E 4
Life of a Soldier
T H E M U L E S K I N N E R T E A M
What it takes to get the mail
P A G E 5
W hat does it take to
get the mail?
For most of you reading this,
you open the door and grab it, or
heaven forbid you may have to
walk down the sidewalk to the
mailbox. If you stop and smell
the roses and say hello to the
neighbor it may take a grand total
of five minutes.
When MO ADT-IV goes to get
the mail, it takes considerably
more time than five minutes, more
like five hours. We‘re not in Mis-
souri anymore.
Getting the mail here requires
at least 12 Soldiers or Airmen,
four armored trucks, and enough
weapons and ammunition to start
a small war.
Let me explain; you have
about 10 to 12 man hours in mis-
sion planning and vehicle prep
prior to any mission. The Convoy
Commander has to write a trip
ticket, assemble a team and pre-
pare vehicles for the particular
mission. He will need to pick ma-
chine gunners, drivers, and truck
commanders. Oh yes, we can‘t
forget, we also need someone
trained and certified to pick up
our mail—this is the U.S. Army
after all.
The convoy commander then
can send the information to Oper-
ations personnel. Ops will do their
thing and create an Operations
Order.
You just can‘t leave the FOB
without everyone knowing where
you are going and what you are do-
ing.
Once our mission is approved, we
are ready to roll out and leave FOB
Finley-Shields. On the way out we
have to stop and load our crew
served weapons.
From there we move out to High-
w a y O n e , t u r n i n g o n t h e
―DUKES‖ (electronic countermeas-
ure system to defeat remote con-
trolled improvised explosive devis-
es) before we hit the highway.
Once on Highway One it is only
a mile down the road to FOB Fenty.
After we enter Fenty we do it all in
reverse; roll into FOB Fenty, turn off
our ―DUKES‖, clear and check our
crew served weapons and proceed
on to pick up our mail.
When we get to the FOB Fenty
Post Office, the mail handlers make
sure we only get the mail going to
Finley-Shields. We load the mail on
our truck and secure it for the jour-
ney back to Finley-Shields.
While we are at Fenty, troops also
take advantage of services not availa-
ble at our smaller FOB. Some go to
finance, or see the Personnel Section
for Common Access Card (CAC)
changes, or visit the big Post Ex-
change; big is a relative term, the
FOB Fenty PX is more like a Seven
Eleven than it is a Wal Mart.
Now we are ready to make that
one mile ride back to FOB Finley-
Shields. Yes, you guessed it, load
and lock weapons and turn on the
DUKES. One mile drive and do it all
in reverse one more time.
Once back at Finley-Shields, we
are far from being done. We park
the vehicles in the ADT motor pool
and have a quick After Action Re-
view; this will take about 10 to 15
minutes.
Then we drop off the mail at the
mailroom and the mail orderlies sort
it out for each of the units on our
FOB.
Meanwhile the rest of the 12 Sol-
diers and Airmen who made the trek
to Fenty have post-convoy checks to
complete and weapons and ammo to
turn in.
Now you know why getting our
mail here in Afghanistan is not a
walk down to the end of the side-
walk, but a four to six hour mission
for a dozen troops.
That said, the ADT Soldiers and
Airmen really appreciate getting
packages from home.
V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 5
Staff Sgt. Billy Fox takes a turn at delivering mail
to Soldiers and Airmen on FOB Finley-Shields
from the mail room. In order to pick up and
deliver the mail, it takes at least a dozen combat
troops, four armored trucks, and half a day to
make the two-mile round trip.
By Master Sgt.Bob Weber
Commo: All talk and they walk the walk
P A G E 6
F or years, Army doctrine
stated that the fundamen-
tal Soldier tasks were to
―shoot, move, and communicate.‖
In order to ensure that the MO
ADT is fully capable and prepared
to perform the fundamental task
of communicating, a two-person
ADT Communications Section
provides technical guidance, per-
forms repairs and maintenance,
and trains the ADT Soldiers and
Airmen on how to use their equip-
ment.
The Communications Section
(also called, in Army lingo, the
‗Commo Shop‘) is comprised of
two Soldiers, Staff Sgt. Jodie
Beydler and Sgt. Nelson Bunch.
They provide technical guidance
to ADT leaders regarding commu-
nications-related issues.
When the Security Force Pla-
toon NCOs need to know which
frequencies they should input into
their radios for a particular mis-
sion, the Commo Shop provides
that information. When the Com-
mander needs to know how effec-
tively a convoy‘s communications
will operate in certain terrain, the
NCOs at the Commo Shop re-
search and explain the issues.
Whatever the question, the
ADT Commo Shop is prepared to
provide the necessary technical
information for ADT leaders to
make informed decisions.
Not only does the Commo Sec-
tion provide technical guidance,
but it also performs maintenance
and repairs on the various types of
equipment it manages.
―We manage seven different
types of radio systems, plus as many
computers as a mid-sized business,‖
said Bunch, the tactical communica-
tions non-commissioned officer.
―There‘s no shortage of things to
do. If we‘re not setting up new
equipment, we‘re repairing the old
equipment. If the old equipment (for
some miraculous reason) doesn‘t
need repair, then we‘re trying to
come up with ways to make it bet-
ter.‖
Managing repairs and mainte-
nance for more than $2 million
worth of equipment, the shop does
its best to use the public‘s money
wisely. For example, one type of
headset used regularly by the ADT
costs the government about $800.
―We‘ve salvaged at least four of
them since we arrived here that
would have otherwise been discard-
ed.‖ reported Beydler, the ADT‘s
LAN Manager. ―It‘s important to us
to try to get the most out of every-
thing we use.‖
Although advising leaders and
repairing equipment takes a large
portion of the Commo Section‘s
time, training Soldiers is arguably its
most important function.
In addition to formal weekly clas-
ses prepared and conducted by
Bunch, both Commo NCOs look for
any and every opportunity to train
Soldiers on how to use their equip-
ment, especially since much of this
equipment is highly technical and
the skills needed to operate it are
very perishable.
―Any time a Soldier comes to us
with a problem, we try to do more
than just fix it for them – we try to
show them how they can fix it them-
selves,‖ says Bunch. ―When things
go bad out in the field, we may not
be there to help them. The old adage
about teaching someone to fish defi-
nitely applies.‖
Learning the technical concepts
necessary to manage the ADT‘s
communications has been a difficult
process. Both Commo NCOs have
very different responsibilities in the
civilian world.
Beydler lives in Liberty, Mo.
where she repairs mail processing
systems for the Post Office. Bunch is
a full-time law student at the Univer-
sity of Missouri – Columbia.
Without a heavy communications
background, both NCOs have
worked long hours to learn what is
necessary to fulfill their duties to the
highest standard possible.
―We‘ve worked a lot of really
long days to get where we are now,
but we know that the work we do
here is important. Without reliable
equipment and quality training, the
ADT would be unable to do its job
safely and effectively,‖ said Bunch.
V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 5
By Sgt. Nelson Bunch
Sgt. Nelson Bunch, tactical communication Non–
Commissioned Officer, sets up a temporary tacti-
cal satellite system in the district of Achin.
P A G E 7
W hi le near ly
10,000 run-
ners were scheduled to
run the Air Force Mara-
thon, Half Marathon and
10K at Wright Paterson,
Ohio, runners from Mis-
souri ADT IV were
ready to run the 10K at
FOB Finley-Shields, Af-
ghanistan.
Some questions were
asked:
- A 10K run, why
would I want to run 6.2
miles, I don‘t like run-
ning the 2 miles for PT.
- Let me see; get out
of bed before the sun
comes up to run?
I hung a sign-up sheet
in the barracks to see
how many people were
interested. The sheet was
up about a week and
there was 12-15 people
signed up.
I thought ok, I will
plan on maybe about 18
to 20. I made running
bibs numbered 1 to 25,
just because in was on a
roll copying and pasting.
It was 5:15 a.m. on
Sept. 24; I headed down
to the so called track
(more of an obstacle
course) to set up water
tables and hand out run-
ning bibs.
There were five people
that asked if they could start
early because they were go-
ing to walk the 6.2 miles and
it would take them a lot long-
er to walk.
I wave to them while set-
ting up the water tables.
Abou t 5 :45 a . m. t he
troops started showing up
and didn‘t stop until we were
35 runners strong. Thirty five
runners, I only had 25 bibs!
I pulled out some note-
book paper and instant bibs.
Not only did we have 35 run-
ners but 8 volunteers to help
o u t . Mi s so u r i ADT IV
showed up in force for the
first Air Force 10K run at
FOB Finley-Shields.
It was amazing. If I told
them they had to run two
miles for the fitness test they
would have had all kinds of
excuses why they couldn‘t,
shouldn‘t and wouldn‘t.
But they ran the distance
and had a great time. All the
runners received a T-shirt,
and a nice medallion. The
volunteers received an Air
Force Marathon towel and
patch.
I think I have created a
monster. The next race is the
Kansas City Garry Gribble‘s
Race. I have 13 troops signed
up to run a half marathon…
that is 13.1 miles. OMG!!
V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 5
“ If I told
them they
had to run
two miles
for the
fitness test
they would
have had all
kinds of
excuses why
they
couldn’t,
shouldn’t
and
wouldn’t.”
By Senior Master Sgt. Jerry
Blankenship
Staff Sgt. Colson, Spec. Anderson, and
Spec. Saufley run the Air Force race.
P A G E 8
Training brought to a new
level by state trooper
C apt. Ken Huenink
i s t h e A D T
operations officer.
He is a member of the
175th Military Police
Battalion in Columbia as
the assistant operations
officer. He has been in
the Missouri National
Guard for 12 years.
As a civilian Huenink
is a state trooper with the
Missouri State Highway
P a t r o l . H e h a s a
bachelor‘s degree in
criminal justice from the
University of Central
Missouri.
He is from Jefferson
City and graduated from
Helias High School.
Huenink is also the
unit intelligence officer
a n d s a i d , ― T h i s
deployment is unique. I
like working with a small
team. My goals are to
make sure unit operations
are efficient and make
sure troops are properly
trained, and have the
latest intelligence for
missions.‖
Huenink offers the
unit additional training
opportunities they would
n o t n o r m a l l y h a v e
available. His training
with the Highway Patrol
has benefited the entire
unit.
He said, ―I also want
to use my experience as a
S W A T me mb e r a n d
firearms instructor to
train SECFOR to a high
level of proficiency.‖
Huenink no t only
o f f e r s a v a r i e t y o f
training challenges on the
firearms range, he was
responsible for putting
t o g e t h e r a n i n t e n s e
fitness program for the
pre-deployment phase of
t raining for the uni t
utilizing techniques and
e x e r c i s e s f r o m h i s
personal cross-fit training
regimen.
He also participates in
recreational kickboxing,
and using his experience
he al so ass is ted and
i m p r o v e d u p o n t h e
c o mba t i ves t r a i n in g
conducted for the unit
during pre-deployment.
For his mid-tour leave
Huenink has plans to
visit Greece with his wife
Kristy, and daughter
Natalie, to spend time
with his parents, who live
in Athens.
H e s a i d , ― I l o o k
forward to good food and
drink.‖ Huenink said he
is a history buff and
wants to see the ancient,
historical sites in Greece
too.
By Capt. Marie Orlando
“My goals
are to make
sure unit
operations
are efficient
and make
sure troops
are properly
trained, and
have the
latest
intelligence
for
missions.”
T H E M U L E S K I N N E R R E P O R T
Capt. Ken Huenink is responsible for training and operations of the unit,
as well as intelligence gathering. He also like to go out on missions when
he has the time.
P A G E 9
Rios: the go-to guy
B efore the Russian
invasion, fruit and nut
o rchards shaded the
valleys and spread across
the foothills of the Hindu
Kush Mountains.
Now, after years of
w a r , r o w s o f d e a d ,
broken trees are spread
throughout the province.
The surviving trees are
often times uncared for
and do not reach their
f u l l p r o d u c t i o n
capability. As part of the
agriculture revitalization
in Nangarhar, farmers are
being taught to care for
the orchards and new
trees are being planted.
Sgt. Guadalupe Rios,
a team leader in the
3175th Military Police
Company in Warrenton
was not selected to join
the ADT for his military
police background, or to
put his Criminal Justice
degree from Missouri
Baptist University, into
action with the Security
Force platoon. It was his
skills as a horticulturist
that that the leadership
found most valuable.
H e w o r k s a s a
supervisor and vice -
president assistant for
Forrest Keeling Nursery
in Elsberry where he has
been employed the past
12 years.
H i s s k i l l s a n d
knowledge a r e v i t a l
assets for the agriculture
team. Rios works closely
with the managers of the
Olive Farms owned by
the Nangarhar Valley
Development Authority,
a government entity.
He is on-hand to field
questions and provide
input to the other team
m e m b e r s a b o u t t h e
var ious t rees around
Nangarhar which include
citrus trees, almonds,
apricots, and a lot of
pomegranates.
R i o s i s a s k i l l e d
horticulturist, and is also
knowledgeable on many
types of vegetables. He
has worked in vegetable
f ie lds in Cal i forn ia ,
where the climate is more
comparable to Nangarhar
than is Missouri.
Staff Sgt. William
Fox says that if someone
has a question about
horticulture, ―Rios is
pretty much the guy.‖
Fox and Rios have
s t a r t e d g r o w i n g
vegetables from local
varieties of seeds in a
smal l demonst ra t ion
garden using a simple
drip irrigation method.
Their ideas are shocking
t o m a n y A f g h a n s ,
including the local hired
gardener on the FOB,
who is reported to have a
doctorate in horticulture.
―I feel good about this
d e p l o y m e n t . I l o o k
forward to bringing Cash
- For- Work programs to
as many communities as
possible, training the
AEAs, and helping my
f e l l ow t eammates . I
e n j o y u s i n g m y
horticulture skills.‖
Rios is enrolled in a
h o r t i c u l t u r e d e g r e e
program at the Meremac
Campus of St. Louis
Community College and
he l ooks forward t o
starting classes again
upon his return to the
U.S.
R i o s s a i d h i s
employer has been very
supportive. This is his
second deployment; he
previously deployed to
the Balkans with the
Kosovo Force 10 (KFOR
1 0 ) a s a n M P t e a m
leader. Both times,
Forrest Keeling Nursery
vo l u n t a r i l y p a i d 2 5
percent of his base salary
during the deployment.
Additionally, he said they
also send care packages.
Rios lives in Foley
with his wife, Jessica,
and their two children.
He enjoys reading,
wo r k i n g a ro u n d th e
house, gardening and
landscaping. When he
returns for his mid-tour
leave he hopes to take the
f a m i l y o n a s h o r t
vacation to Branson.
T H E M U L E S K I N N E R T E A M
By Capt. Marie Orlando
P A G E 1 0
Crapps: Senior Medic
T h e s e n i o r
medic with
ADT IV, the
―doc‖ for the
unit, is the first place
most of the unit members
go when they need some
m e d i c a l a d v i c e o r
treatment.
Sgt. Jason A. Crapps
j umped r i ght in and
started working soon
after the start of the
unit‘s pre-deployment
training at Camp Clark.
He assisted during the
C o m b a t L i f e s a v e r
Training and taught the
unit basic skill level one
medical tasks to improve
the chances of everyone
arriving home as healthy
as possible.
He has continued to
offer refresher training
for the unit throughout
the deployment. He has
also volunteered to work
at the Troop Medical
C l i n i c w h e n h e i s
available to keep his
medical skills current and
to continue to learn.
Crapps said it is good
to be a part of the ADT
and he is glad to try and
help the underdogs gain
ground in Afghanistan.
Crapps is assigned to
HHC, 1/138th Infantry
Regiment, Kansas City,
Mo., as a medic. This is
his second time around as
a senior medic during a
deployment; he has also
served in Bagdad, Iraq.
Altogether, he has been
in the military a total of
10 years with the Army.
W h e n h e ‘ s n o t
treating Soldiers and
Airmen on a deployment,
Crapps works as a charge
nurse for Sharon Lane
H e a l t h S e r v i c e s ,
Shawnee, Kan.
Crapps is originally
from Augusta, Ga, and
his mom still lives in
Harlem, Ga. But now
Crapps calls Kansas City,
Mo. home.
He spends his spare
time playing music; he‘s
been a drummer for a
little over 20 years and
he‘s been playing the
acoustic guitar for about
two years.
He also likes to write
poetry and song lyrics for
his own kind of self
therapy.
He says, ―It‘s the way
I can let out feelings and
emotions without saying
it out loud.‖
Crapps sa id he i s
planning on spending
quality time as a family
with his wife, Jackie, and
their three kids during his
R&R.
T H E M U L E S K I N N E R T E A M
Sgt. Jason Crapps travels with the
unit on missions as the team
medic.
P A G E 1 1
No spring break for law student
SGT Coulson doing it right
E t han Coul son
was promoted to
sergeant while serving in
Afghanistan at Forward
Operating Base Finley-
Shields.
Coulson is a member
of the Security Force Pla-
toon wi th t he Agr i -
Business Development
Team IV.
Coulson has been in
the Army National Guard
for four years. He is a
heavy construction oper-
ator with the 220th Engi-
neer Company in Festus.
Coulson said, ―My
goals are to train myself
to be a good NCO and do
the right thing at all
times. My expectation is
for everyone else to do
the same.‖ He added, ―I
try to make the Army a
better place.‖
Coulson is married to
Jazzie and they have a
son, Isaiah. His family
lives in L.A., where he is
originally from, and he
plans on returning to Cal-
ifornia after the deploy-
ment.
He is looking forward
to reacquainting himself
with his son and spend-
ing valuable time with
his wife when he goes
home for mid-tour leave.
Regiment, Kansas City,
Mo.
He graduated from
the Pensacola Christian
College with a bachelors
in Pre -Law and i s a
second year student of
t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f
M i s s o u r i - C o l u m b i a
School of Law.
He said the school
faculty was supportive
when he was called for
the deployment.
Bunch has a wife,
R e b e k a h , a n d t w o
children. The youngest
was born just before his
deployment. He said it is
a great sacrifice to be
Sgt . Nelson Bunch
is the tact ical
communications non-
commissioned officer for
A D T I V f o r t h e
Communications Section,
also known as the S-6.
He has been in the
Missouri National Guard
for a year and has served
s e v e n y e a r s i n t h e
military.
This is his second
d e p l o y m e n t a s a
communications NCO.
He also served in Iraq in
2 0 0 5 -2 0 0 6 w i t h t h e
Army Reserves.
Bunch is a member of
HHC, 1/138th Infantry
s e p a r a t e d f r o m h i s
family.
While here Bunch
said his goals ―are simply
to do everything possible
to prepare the ADT IV
for success and to make
ADT V ‘ s t r a n s i t i o n
smooth.‖
B u n c h i s a l s o
pursuing, ―very slowly,‖
a master‘s degree from
Pensacola Theological
Seminary.
He looks forward to
spending time with his
family when he returns
for his mid-tour leave.
T H E M U L E S K I N N E R T E A M
P A G E 1 2
S gt. First Class Earl
Eisenbacher, the ―E‖
in Big E and T‘s Afghan
Pizzaria, is an agriculture
specialist with the ADT.
H e i s a p l a t o o n
sergeant with the 294th
E n g i n e e r C o mp a n y ,
2 0 3 r d E n g i n e e r
Battalion, Carthage. He
h a s s e r v e d a
total of 21 years
in the service
and has been
w i t h t h e
M i s s o u r i
National Guard
for 17 of those
years.
This is h is
s e c o n d
deployment. He
d e p l o y e d i n
2003-2004 with
the 203rd EN
B N f o r 1 4
months to Iraq
a s a g r a d i n g a n d
compaction squad leader.
Eisenbacher said the
living conditions here are
vastly different from Iraq
- for the better. He said ―I
look forward to making
a n i m p a c t o n m y
assigned district and
seeing positive results by
the time we leave.‖
E i s e n b a c h e r i s
assigned the Kuz Kumar
district and is responsible
f o r m e n t o r i n g t h e
agriculture extension
agent and coordinating
projects in his district.
E i s e n b a c h e r i s a
Project Manager and
E n v i r o n m e n t a l
Consultant for Leigh
Environmental, LLC. He
h a s b e e n w i t h t h e
company for 11 years.
He graduated from
Missouri State University
w i t h a m a s t e r s o f
biology.
Eisenbacher spends
his time off fishing in
bass tournaments and
operates a small business,
E i r o n Br e a ke r L u r e
Company.
E i s e n b a c h e r h a s
brought his enterprising
skills to the barracks, and
he operates a small pizza
factory out of his room,
along with his roommate.
H e p u r c h a s e s
ingredients from local
suppliers, including the
Afghan flat bread used
for the crust, and gathers
fresh toppings from the
dining facility. Family
m e m b e r s s e n d
ingredients he is unable
to procure locally. Using
a toaster oven sent by his
wife, Sara, he fills the
halls with tantalizing
sme l l s not t ypi ca l l y
found in Nangarhar.
Last Sunday
the unit gathered
for a relaxing
afternoon off,
and the Big E
and T‘s Afghan
Pizzaria moved
i t s o p e r a t i o n
outs ide under
the maintenance
s h e d , s o t h e
entire unit could
try one of his
tasty creations.
Eisenbacher
said, ―I enjoy
cooking pizza
for the unit Soldiers. I
try to give them a taste of
home.‖
Eisenbacher has two
chi ld ren , Emi ly and
Ryan. He is looking
forward to spending
Thanksgiving with his
family during his mid-
tour leave.
He said, no, pizza is
not on the holiday menu.
By Capt. Marie Orlando
T H E M U L E S K I N N E R R E P O R T
Wishin’ I was fishin’
“I look
forward to
making an
impact on my
assigned
district and
seeing positive
results by the
time we
leave.”
P A G E 1 3 V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 5
The deadline to send mail holiday packages to troops in Afghanistan is Nov. 12 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.
Letters and cards should be sent by early December and Express Mail Military Service
packages should be sent by Dec. 18 for Christmas delivery.
For more information on military shipping and dates, visit www.usps.com.
HOLIDAY MAIL DEADLINES
P A G E 1 4
Pictures from the field
SGT Coulson is promoted and
“pinned” twice by COL. Fortune.
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 5
SSG Fox and LTC Charles use GPS to mark a
project site.
SSG Maloney is greeted by a village elder while
on mission.
“Jingle” trucks are a common sight in Afghanistan.
Many trucks hang cow bells from bumpers. CPT Paluczak and LTC Legg enjoy a cigar after work.
1LT Wischmeyer and the AEA from his
district pinpoint project sites on a map.
The future of Afghanistan looks out
beyond the walls of a village that is likely
hundreds of years old.
SFC Squires and CPT Orlando attend a
women’s shura at the Governor’s Palace.
SECFOR takes watch from above.
P A G E 1 5
Pizza Party and Washers
V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 5
A good time was had by all. We threw washers and had plenty of
pizza to eat, thanks to all of the items sent from back home and
what we could gather from the DFAC.
“Big E and T’s Afghan Pizzaria” expands operations
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
Give us a holler!
MONG
ADT IV
Celebrating Birthdays in November
Anniversaries
● Eric and Kim Fizer
● Ken and Kristy Huenink
● Robert and Thomasine Weber
Brandon Fizer Johnathan Sims MSG Bradley 1LT McCall
Zach Gore Tess Counts SPC Chapman SGT Runyon
Kaycee Orlando Jackie Crapps SMSgt Counts SPC Saufley
Julian Rios Kim Fizer SSG Fox
Sierra Saufley Tracy Legg SGT Kostron
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
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:
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
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