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Cannoneer VOLUME 51 NUMBER 48
Inside
Published for the Fort Sill Oklahoma community
December 5, 2013
Hundreds turn out to run for fallen By Capt. Charlie Dietz and 1st Lt. Clinton Custer 214th Fires Brigade
Education fair Page 5A
Thankful throng Page 8A
Kindl markt Page 1B
News briefs Adopt-A-Soldier Local families are sought to host two to four Basic Combat Training Soldiers in their homes for either Christmas Eve or Christmas. Sponsors must be active duty, Guard or Reserve, retirees or military civilians. They are responsible for picking up and returning the Soldiers to Fort Sill. The deadline to sign up is Dec. 10. For information, contact 434th Field Artillery Brigade chaplain assistants Spc. Aaron Myers at aaron.m.meyers4.mil@mail.mil, 580-442-8701; or Sgt. Chavez Villareal at villareal.l.chavez. mil@mail.mil, 580-442-5752.
The 214th Fires Brigade hosted its third annual Fallen Soldier Memorial 5K and one-mile fun run Nov. 27 on Fort Sill, and a “shadow run” with its deployed battalion — 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery “Steel Warriors,” which is in the United Arab Emirates. The run is a tradition set up by the brigade to remember Soldiers killed in combat. It also raises money for services that help Gold Star families, such as Survivor Outreach Services. Gold Star family members are immediate family to a deceased service member. The run hosted three Gold Star spouses and one mother. The events raised more than $15,000 through race fees and donations. “Today is an annual tradition that we hold dear to our hearts to remind everyone that our fpallen Soldiers and Gold Star families sacrifices will not be forgotten,” said Col. Andrew Preston, 214th FiB commander, addressing the crowd before the start. This was the third time Marie Berberea, a Gold Star spouse, ran the race. “This has become my favorite run See RUN, Page 4A
New drill sergeants talk learning the trail Drill Sergeant (Staff Sgt.) Bryan Dospapas, E Battery, 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery oversees Basic Combat Training Nov. 21 at “Little Chicago.”
Estate claims Anyone with debts owed to or by the estate of Sgt. Bryan C. Comaduran, A Battery, 1st Battalion, 30th Field Artillery, must contact Capt. Patrick O’Rourke, summary court officer for the Soldier. Comaduran died Oct. 31 in Lawton. For more information, call O’Rourke at 580-442-0997 or email the captain at patrick.j.orourke.mil@mail.mil.
Snow removal On-post residents are responsible for clearing their driveway and sidewalks of snow and ice. Ask your community office for salt to do so. Residents should also park in the driveway so plows can clear the roads. For overflow parking, residents are allowed to park their cars in the Southern Plains Community Center parking lot.
Awards ceremony The Fort Sill Garrison award and recognition ceremony is today at 2:30 p.m. at the Graham Resiliency Training Campus. The ceremony honors notable first and second quarter civilian award winners and one active-duty Soldier.
Annual ball The commanding general’s Saint Barbara’s Day Ball is Dec. 6 at 5 p.m., at the Patriot Club. It is open to everyone in the Lawton-Fort Sill community. Tickets are $35 per person. Uniform is Army Blue/Mess and black tie for civilians. For reservations, call 580-442-4237.
Power outages Building 3386 will lose power Dec. 10, 17 and 20 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. due to utility work for new tactical maintenance See BRIEFS, Page 3A
Photo by Spc. Joe Dees
Lead runners set the pace at the 214th Fires Brigade Fallen Soldier Memorial 5K and one-mile fun run Nov. 27 here. More than 900 participants turned out to honor fallen heroes.
Story, photos By Marie Berberea A group of Fort Sill’s newest drill sergeants in E Battery, 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery broke down what it’s like to walk on the trail for the first time. “I have more expectations than I do experience so far,” said Drill Sergeant (Staff Sgt.) Matthew Kolbinski. A few days into his new role as a drill sergeant he joined a group of trainees the week before their graduation. “My main mission was to not step on those drill sergeants’toes. That’s where the Soldiers were getting their guidance from, that’s the model that they’ve seen for the last nine weeks.” Kolbinski along with two other
newer drill sergeants said in the beginning they have to find their footing, and it helped to watch seasoned drill sergeants on the job. “I get to learn just as much as the Soldiers get to learn. I get to be part of 260 privates’ lives for nine months at a time for the next two years. I don’t think there’s any other leadership NCO or otherwise position that you get to do that. I’m pretty lucky to be able to say that,”said Kolbinski. “You just kind of break the ice, whether you fall down a flight of stairs — that’s what I did my first day here in front of everyone. Once you break the ice with the Soldiers and they realize their drill sergeant is a human and not a walking time bomb then they tend to react to you better so whenever you’re teaching them it’s easier to give a class and they adapt better,” said Drill Sergeant. (Sgt.) Christian Jackson. While all of the new drill sergeants were selected by the Army, for Jackson this was her only choice of assignment. “This is what I joined the Army to do. I don’t even know what I’m going to do after this. My dad was a drill sergeant so when I came into the Army that’s all I wanted to do. Now that I am a drill sergeant I’m like my time is running short.” See TRAIL, Page 4A
Garrison Public Affairs
Story, photo By 2nd Lt. Richard Moylan 214th Fires Brigade Second Battalion, 4th Field Artillery, conducted an equipment deployment readiness exercise (EDRE) Nov. 18-21 to ensure all vehicles were in good running condition and to fix any issues. The exercise consisted of convoys driving to Fort Sill training areas to allow vehicles to reach proper operating temperatures. In addition to the vehicle focus, the exercise also allowed the mechanics of 696th Forward Support Company to instruct the operators on useful tips and basic steps to aid in prolonging the life of vehicles and equipment. The training exercise was divid-
ed into separate days for the different batteries of 2-4th FA to allow maximum focus and participation by mechanics and operators. Each day a different battery would leave the 2-4th FA motor pool in two to three convoys and conduct full preventive maintenance checks (PMC) and services according to that vehicle’s technical manual. While the operators were conducting PMCs and services, the mechanics performed technical inspections and assisted the operators. Upon completion, the more experienced mechanics would pull aside several operators around a particular piece of equipment and teach a maintenance class focusing on common operator errors and vehicle faults. See READINESS, Page 2A
The Fort Sill National Historic Landmark Museum’s annual Candlelight Stroll will expand to two days — Dec. 14 and Dec. 15. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are required and are available for pickup from the Museum Interpretative Center. Tickets are first come, first served and the limit is six per family. Tickets will neither be mailed nor held. The annual stroll explores the 1870s Fort Sill. The National Historic Landmark boasts 37 buildings dating to the 19th century, which comprise the most complete Frontier Army fort in existence from the Indian Wars period. The tour begins and ends at the Museum Interpretive Center, Building 435, which is on the southeast corner of the Old Post Quadrangle. Refreshments will be served and the Post Trader Gift Shop will be open during the event.
locations: the Chapel, the Sherman House, the Cavalry Barracks and the Guardhouse. Special interpreters, including “Buffalo Soldiers,” deputy U.S. Marshals and pioneer women of the day, will present the history at each location. Artillery, infantry and cavalry soldier re-enactors representing the late 1800s will also be present. Historical interpreters portraying the first post commander Col. Benjamin Grierson and his wife will welcome everyone at the Sherman House. The interpretive center will open at 5 p.m. File photo with tours beginning every 15 minutes from Kenneth Reese and Wallace Moore portray 5:30-6:45 p.m. Each tour of about 25 people will Buffalo Soldiers during the Candlelight Stroll in last one hour. Tickets will be marked with the 2011.This year’s stroll is Dec. 14 and 15. For tick- tour time. Participants must be able to walk at ets, contact the Museum Interpretative Center, a brisk pace and climb stairs. 435 NW Quanah Road, today through Dec. 7, For more information, or to obtain tickets, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or call 580-442-5123. contact the Museum Interpretative Center, 435 Volunteers will escort groups by candlelight NW Quanah Road, today through Dec. 7, from lanterns around the quadrangle visiting four 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or call 580-442-5123.
Index
Contacts (580) 442-5150 (580) 357-9545
FA battalion readies vehicles in equipment deployment exercise
Candlelight stroll expands to two days
james.a.brabenec.civ@mail.mil
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1st Lt. Joshua Rivera and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Angelo discuss which vehicles have been checked and which need servicing. Second Battalion, 4th Field Artillery conducted a four-day equipment deployment readiness exercise to ensure the serviceability of all unit vehicles.
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