Friends of Ram, We hope this message finds you well. Your Soldiers have been doing absolutely amazing things since our arrival in country. Everywhere we go, we hear compliments about our Soldiers and how they carry themselves, the discipline they display on a daily basis, and the fact that our organization has truly made an impact in our Area of Operations in such a short period of time. Our ammo is clean, our vehi- cles are ready for combat, Soldiers continue to train and all is good. We just wanted to take a couple of minutes to say thank you for supporting our Soldiers from near and far. Your sacrifices have allowed this organi- zation, the ability to make a lasting difference in Afghanistan whether it's building Security capacity, rebuilding a dam so several thousands of people have water for years to come, or providing superior intelligence or rebuilding communication infrastructure. The mission is important, and our Soldiers, NCOs, and leaders show their professionalism on a daily basis. Thank you again for allowing them to serve and for your support from afar! From the desk of the TF Command Team Newsletter Date May 8, 2011 Volume 2, Issue 1 TF Ram May Newsletter Camp Mike Spann, Afghanistan Special points of interest: Command Team’s battlefield update Celebrating Easter and Pass- over in RC North Continuous Partnership with Afghanistan National Security Forces Provision of intelligence tools and communications initiatives across RC North Female Engagement Team Inside this issue: TF Command Team’s Update 1 Religious Support Team 2 Havoc Update Havoc in Pictures 3 4 Sappers Forward 5 Ravens I Ravens II 6 7 Voice of the Rock Cover Page (FET in Action) 8 9 Ram’s Horn
Transcript
Friends of Ram, We hope this message finds you well. Your Soldiers have been doing absolutely amazing things since our arrival in country. Everywhere we go, we hear compliments about our Soldiers and how they carry themselves, the discipline they display on a daily basis, and the fact that our organization has truly made an impact in our Area of
Operations in such a short period of time. Our ammo is clean, our vehi-cles are ready for combat, Soldiers continue to train and all is good. We just wanted to take a couple of minutes to say thank you for supporting our Soldiers from near and far. Your sacrifices have allowed this organi-
zation, the ability to make a lasting difference in Afghanistan whether it's building Security capacity, rebuilding a dam so several thousands of people have water for years to come, or providing superior intelligence or rebuilding communication infrastructure. The mission is important, and our Soldiers, NCOs, and leaders show their professionalism on a daily basis. Thank you again for allowing them to serve and for your
support from afar!
From the desk of the TF Command Team
Newsletter Date May 8, 2011 Volume 2, Issue 1
TF Ram May Newsletter Camp Mike Spann, Afghanistan
Special points of
interest:
Command Team’s battlefield
update
Celebrating Easter and Pass-
over in RC North
Continuous Partnership with
Afghanistan National Security
Forces
Provision of intelligence tools
and communications initiatives
across RC North
Female Engagement Team
Inside this issue:
TF Command
Team’s Update
1
Religious Support
Team
2
Havoc Update
Havoc in Pictures
3
4
Sappers Forward
5
Ravens I
Ravens II
6
7
Voice of the Rock
Cover Page
(FET in Action)
8
9
Ram’s Horn
Hello from dusty, hot Northern Afghanistan! It has been getting into the low 100 degrees but this afternoon was the first time we experienced a dust storm in this country. Only an hour before, a translator said he did not see a dust storm here last year. I guess things have changed. It is a very fine grit you can taste and I do not recommend it. Enough on the local weather report. Family, Soldiers, and friends, PV2 Daniels and I are grateful for your prayers and support! We can feel your love from here and ask that you con-tinue to pray for us. We enjoy your packages and letters! The end of April was the holy season for Christians and Jews to cele-brate. Three of our Soldiers were able to celebrate the Passover Feast at Marmal with other Jewish Soldiers and civilians from RC-North. On Camp Spann, the Ram RST worked in close coordination with the Bayonet RST to support or perform sixteen services in celebration of Good Friday and Easter in a ten day period. We had Catholic Mass and Confession, Greek Orthodox Mass, Gospel worship, Good Friday Meditation, and worship services with our NATO Allies. Easter Sunday was the high point of this holy season with a Camp Spann Community Sunrise Easter Service performed outside Freedom Chapel on a beautiful clear and comfortable morning. Great music from the Gospel Choir, CH(MAJ) Steve Dunn preached on the resurrection, and I led in prayers and responsive reading. For some residents, this was a worship opportunity they found easy to join and be refreshed in their faith. We had thirty-seven participants, which is a good turnout for 7 AM! We had refreshments and good fellowship afterwards, which made the event all the more special. As a pastor, I am grateful to be a leader in times like this! Afterward, I realized it was a lot of work! Good work takes energy too! With tragic events in other parts of Afghanistan, we have been reminded how small of an Army we are a part of. An explosion in a conference room in RC-East did not kill members of the Bayonet Brigade, but did take the lives of friends of a unit collocated with Charlie Company at JCOP Hairatan. I was tasked to provide comfort and counseling as needed to those Soldiers. I found a few Soldiers willing to talk with a chaplain. They did not know me before this and we found common ground in our profession and faith. In the midst of grief, doors of compas-sion and brotherhood opens in ways that are difficult to explain, than to acknowledge this life is bigger than us, our mission is more than the will of people. The community of JCOP Hairatan is better connected because of this struggle endured together, though this route was not chosen by us. I am proud of how our Soldiers recognize the needs of other Soldiers and their Families. One Soldier’s fam-ily lost their home to a fire recently. Learning of this, some Soldiers from one company started asking for dona-tions among themselves to send with the Soldier, who is now in a different company, when he returns to the States on leave. In no way was this expected to replace the many items or the house this family has lost, but a compassionate gesture to help in a time of need. Sometimes, it is just knowing others care in tangible ways that shines a ray of hope through the dark clouds. It is things like this that make me proud of Task Force Ram. We got the news that Osama Bin Laden had been killed by US Navy SEALS in Pakistan in a daring raid. We are grateful that none of our Warfighters were hurt or lost in this operation. And to see on the television crowds celebrating in the early morning hours back in the States, it was with a sigh of relief and a great sense of pride we rejoiced. We remember the many patriots who have paid such a high price to confront terrorists that attacked our country and the homelands of our allies. I do not take joy in the death of man, even an evil man. (See Proverbs 24:17-18 for food for thought.) I do subscribe to the truth there is justice and it is right to carry it out- though it takes years and involves great sacrifice. Our fight is not meant to focus hatred on a man or an organization; our love for our Country, our way of life, and our people motivates us to defend against threats and defeat further at-tacks wherever they may be. A monumental corner in this war has been turned. Now I hope intelligence gathered from this operation will directly enhance our mission in RC-North. And NO, we are not coming home yet! Got
more work to do before leaving. At the beginning of this article, PV2 Daniels and I, thanked you for your prayers. I want to close with a request that you continue praying for our leaders, Soldiers, and our mission - for protection, wisdom, and peace in all our relation-ships within and to other parties. Likewise, pray for our Families for God’s favor to protect them, strengthen their faith through this demanding time, and that the time would go by quickly. I appreciate your help in this important avenue. God bless you and take good care of each other- wherever you are.
CH(CPT) David Chapman.
Sapper Chaplain
Chaplain’s Corner
“I do not take joy in
the death of man,
even an evil man...”
Proverbs 24:17 –18
Page 2 TF Ram May Newsletter
CH Chapman at sunrise Easter service
Family and friends of HAVOC, 1SG McGuire and I hope this update finds you well. This month has flown by, due in large part to the amount of work that we have accomplished. “Savage” continues to escort distinguished visitors all over the battle field, JCOP Hairatan got a new well - thanks to “Support” Platoon’s dedicated logistics patrols, projects are being completed by “Black Sheep”, North-ern Shield training was completely overhauled, the motor pool was renovated by courtesy of Wrench, and the Female Engagement Team (FET) conducted multiple engagements with local Afghan women. Be rest assured that your Soldier is busy with meaningful work. The weather is getting hotter, the days longer, but there is always something to accomplish. Rest and Recuperation (R&R) leave has started now, so enjoy your time with your Soldier when he or she arrives home. Please remember that their scheduled leave dates are tentative, as weather and mechanical diffi-culties can affect their itinerary. Also, Video Tele-Conferences (VTCs) are now being conducted, so contact the FRG and Rear D if you would like to participate. It is said that “pictures are worth a thousand words” so until you read from us again in next month’s edition, we leave you with a few on this page and some on the next one. Thank you!
- From the Command Team: CPT Kelso and 1SG McGuire
HAVOC
Page 3 Volume 2, Issue 1
LT Wilcox, heartily congratulates SSG Detavernier following his reenlistment to serve six more years in the Army
Troops in the open; 300 meters!!! Yells SPC Debusk
Its all good as symbolized in this pose by SPC Amundsen
Havoc Operations Team: Always ready! From L to R: SPC Francisco, SGT Casillas,
SPC Amundsen & SPC Debusk SSG McMahon in his “combat MAC attack” mode
HAVOC IN PICTURES
Page 4 Volume 2, Issue 1
Sense of accomplishment by Support PLT after one of many CLPs
Savage exemplifying the “Brothers in Arms” spirit
Squeezing time for volleyball to reinforce the good old saying: “All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy”
One of Black Sheep’s adopted local Afghan Schools
Savage crew picture before a mission
FET Training at the 9mm pistol range SPC Hauff checks out an Afghan
trainee weapon
SFC Martin & SSG Gregory combin-ing ideas on Logistics movements
SPC Lohmeyer demonstrates correct firing position to the Afghans
Black Sheep in mission prep up
SPC Ley with his new best friend
Company Commander
It is two months into our deployment and Charlie Company has begun settling into our mission set. April marked our first month of continuous opera-tions aimed at improving the lives of Afghans in Northern Afghanistan and their police’s ability to secure them. Our Platoons have risen to the chal-lenge of engaging an area that spans multiple inter-national borders and encompasses a myriad of mis-sions. Every week our Soldiers and Leaders split their time between missions that include training our Afghan Police Force brothers, improving the Afghan government’s ability to care and provide for its population, maintaining our fleet of vehicles, and finding some time to take for ourselves. I could not be more proud of the work our Sappers accomplish every day and admire their dedication to the mis-sion and their ever present flexibility to meet the
Company’s requirements. Thank you as well to the spouses, family, and loved ones that support our Sappers. We now proudly display two of the FRG’s ban-ners in our dining facility and look forward to future updates. We are also excited about the addition of our Company FRG site on Facebook. Feel free to get in-volved with it and stay up to date on upcoming FRG events and updates from the Company. The Charlie Company Facebook page address is: www.facebook.com/Charlie.40.ENG.BN.FRG
SGT Richart being pinned by his Platoon Sergeant, SFC Araiza
502d Military Intelligence Company
1st Platoon: There is nothing more awesome than promoting a Soldier in a combat zone. As the company continues with it’s charge forward, sub-stantial progress is being made towards stability in RC-N. SPC Richart’s recent promotion to SGT is a clear manifestation of the inherent benefits of dedicated service and sacrifice put forth in duty performance which Soldiers of the platoon con-tinue to exemplify. They have been terrific at pro-ducing intelligence products and answering re-quest for information (RFIs) across the BCT and SGT Richart’s promotion will even add more im-petus to the dedicated service of the platoon.
2d Platoon: When the clock strikes at midnight over here in Afghanistan, there are always Sol-diers from 2d Platoon on duty. The Soldiers from the platoon conduct countless hours of mission planning, target decks and preparation for brief-ings to senior officers in the Brigade.
They also provide early warning signals to ma-neuver battalions in a variety of ways. This col-laborative effort helps in the shaping of the battle-field and ultimately provides stability in the region.
3d Platoon: High above in the sky at a few thousand feet, 3d platoon (Wolfpack) watches, spots and assesses the ground for enemy activity. The very significance of this is the deterrence of further aggression from insurgents. As part of the International Security Assistance Force, 3d Platoon and their Norwegian counterparts have collaborated in a collec-tive effort to ensure Faryab province is more stable and se-cure. UAS also provides valuable intelligence to 1-84 FA BN. You can always count on the platoon to provide local security coverage. Congratulations to PFC Cervantes and CW2 McLane on the recent birth of their children.
2d platoon displaying their combat patch after the ceremony
UAS Soldiers recovering a shadow aircraft after a mission
PROVIDING STABILITY: As the summer season approaches 502d MI CO is also gearing up to provide the 170th BCT with the tools to ensure that Regional Com-mand North becomes a more stable, secure and safe area. With Governance, Se-curity and the rule of law being the biggest factors, Soldiers of the company are leading the way in this effort. The unique responsibility charged to the company by the Brigade Combat Team to provide accurate and real time intelligence to maneu-ver battalions, is not taken lightly, and the resolve of company to accomplish this task remains resolute.
In keeping with one of the finest Army traditions, Soldiers of the company at Camp Spann participated in a combat patch ceremony. This was a truly historic day be-cause it marked the first time 170th BCT insignia met the eligibility criteria to be worn as a combat patch. This was a truly deserving day for the Soldiers.
Formation for combat patch ceremony
RAVENS
Page 7 TF Ram May Newsletter
SGT Hayes and SGT Roam after a HUMINT mission at JCOP Hairatan
502d Military Intelligence Company
Headquarters platoon in a pose after the combat patch ceremony
4th Platoon: Their mission is to facilitate
the seizure of insurgents by word of mouth, or by piecing together different information from a myriad of sources. Soldiers of the platoon who are dispersed across the re-gion are tirelessly providing this critical support to maneuver units of the BCT with pride. The outlying Teams interact and share information with senior platoon lead-ers located on Camp Spann which has been key to the success in their mission of providing stability to Regional Command North (RC-N).
Headquarters Platoon: Before the dawn of
new day here at Camp Mike Spann, Headquar-ters platoon already starts preparing for SSA missions, perimeter security and fixing impor-tant intelligence systems that might have mal-functioned in the middle of the night. Adminis-trative duties must continue during the deploy-ment. SPC Valdez and SPC Williams have been doing a great job handling evaluations, R&R Leave and awards. The complex intelli-gence system at the outlying FOBs must be maintained. In Headquarters Platoon SPC Le and SPC Shimp have been doing outstanding work in making sure that each and every sys-tem at the outlying FOBs are maintained. Con-gratulations to SPC Ruppert, SPC Bland and SPC Bivins for their promotion to SPC (E4). Their collective contributions to the company has been significant and couldn't have been more Deserving of the promotion. SPC Ruppert maintains the companies fleet of vehicles whereas SPC Bland ensures that specialty equipment at all outlying FOBs are fully functional. SPC Bivins on the other hand provides communication support not only to the company but to the rest of the BCT.
This month the 589th Signal Company continued to build up the network over here in Af-ghanistan. We designed and tested some new products that hit the market. Our Soldiers are learning something new every day. We applied some of our fundamental signal skill sets to leverage the latest and greatest products on the market.
Congratulations goes to four of our Soldiers for their outstanding performance at this month’s pro-motion board under the new system: CPL Roberta McNally-Reid
SPC Ifeanyi Asonye SPC Alfredo Penalvert SPC Dennis Rhoades
Thank you once again to all the Families and Friends of the 589th Signal Company for your continuous support.
Family Readiness Liaison Number: SGT Gerbine Cell: 01622634917 DSN: 314-485-7523
How to dial to the US: 001 + area code + number How to dial from the US to Germany: 011 + 49 (country code) + number (do NOT include the first 0) BTA Website: www.baumholder.army.mil/sites/local
