September Newsletter

THE BLACK SCARF

NEWS FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS OF TASK FORCE BLACK SCARVES

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2

SEPTEMBER 2011

This issue…

Rock Report Venom Update Drop the Hammer Greetings from ABLE Company Whatever it Takes : Keeping Families Informed Sergeant Major Says…

From the Commander

2 3 4 4 5 6 7

2

SEPTEMBER 2011

PAGE 3

CPT Roesler

Venom friends and family, Venom Company is arrived safely on the ground in Afghanistan.

Everyday your soldiers are actively working to secure a better future for Afghanistan. You should be Above: extremely proud of the excellent SSGs Gill, Young and Rosa on patrol work they are doing.

Please keep us updated on the goings-on back in Germany. I hope that you will continue to support each other as wholeheartedly as Right: PFCs Denton and you support us. Thank you.

Marek pose in their Below: 2nd Platoon poses for a picture

room

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Drop the Hammer

(Above) SFC Carr’s venerable mustache, “Morris” is MIA!

Hammer Company has arrived to Afghanistan! With the Transfer of Authority to TF 1-2 completed on the 13th, the Black Scarves and the soldiers of Hammer Company officially takes control of AO Black in Nangarhar. Morale is high as the men and women of Hammer Company get settled on the FOB and become familiar with the terrain in the AO. Recon and Support platoons have been very active meeting with locals and assessing the area.

The mortars, medics, and staff sections have been working hard getting the BN moved into the FOB and creating a support network to ensure that the BN can complete its mission.

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER JULY2009 2011 2011 2LT1LT Romanowski Colbert

(Above) Black 6 promotes 1LT Casey Close, and CPT Aaron Silver.

Thank you for your prayers and care packages! You are always in our hearts.

(Left) 1SG Baczek never sleeps, he only lies in wait.

(Right) SSG Carrasco, SPC Reese, PFC Ojeda inventory Noble Rabbit 2’s BII

Greetings from ABLE Company Greetings from Cop Xio Haq, Afghanistan. It is still pronounced “Zee-O-hawk”.

Able Company has completed the move of all personnel and equipment off of COP Bad Pakh.

Your loved one has a new mailing address.

“Name of Soldier” Able Company TF 1-2 IN COP Xio Haq APO AE 09310

COP Xio Haq has a 24-hour dining facility, indoor showers, and a local national bazaar. The Spaware center provides ample phones and computers for Soldiers to use to contact their loved ones.

Able Company is attached to Task Force Cheyenne; it is the Brigade Special Troops Battalion in the Oklahoma National Guard. The reputation of Able Co. preceded our arrival; The Commander and Command Sergeants Major are excited to have us join their task force.

Rest and relaxation leave is kicking off at the end of this month! It is non-charge-Able leave.

The Soldiers of Able Co.

CPT Stewart addressing Able Co. on COP Xio Haq on 10 Sep 2011.

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WHATEVER it TAKES:

Keeping Families Informed (Left) During the BBQ Daddy dolls were passed out to all the children

(Right) These young ladies know how to enjoy themselves at a Barbeque.

(Right) C CO FRG had a BBQ get together.

This was a great event that brought spouses together in order to get to know each other.

SEPTEMBER 2011

SEPTEMBER 2011

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Sergeant Major Says…

CSM Brian Woodall

Black Scarves Soldiers and Families, Our Soldiers have done a tremendous job transitioning to Afghanistan and beginning COIN operations in the Nangarhar Province. We are now fully operational, and our presence is being felt in the area by friend and foe alike.

As we continue to strive to streamline our teamwork and maintain our high levels of discipline, we will continue to grow more effective at protecting the population and ensuring a stable Afghanistan.

Safety remains a primary concern for the Soldiers and Families of 1-2 Infantry. Downrange, Soldiers rely on prior planning and coordination in order to minimize unnecessary risks while on mission. The same principles apply in garrison and we must look after our battle buddies and family members with the same acumen as if we were on patrol. Before your next night on the town, invest a little time in planning for transportation or a designated driver.

Nothing has kept up the Soldiers’ morale like letters and packages from our loved ones back home. The steady stream of mail from our families provides a constant reminder of what we are here to defend. Napoleon is cited as having said “an army marches on its stomach”, and the homemade goods you send ensure that our Soldiers can march up and down the Tora Bora Mountains to complete their missions. Thank you for your continued support.

Facebook photos are one way we try to connect our Soldiers with Family members. There is a process for photos to be approved to keep our Warriors safe. First Sergeants and Platoon Sergeants continue to take photos. If you are not seeing the section or platoon you wish to see, please have your loved one drop off digital photos to me and I we will get them posted.

Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company. -George Washington Do not touch me, Brian Woodall CSM, USA Black7

SEPTEMBER 2011

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From the Commander

LTC Earl Higgins

To the TF1-2 IN Team, The torch has been passed from the Panthers of 1-61 CAV and now the Black Scarves are guiding Afghan National Security Forces and the civil government of western Nangarhar closer to becoming solely responsible for their future. Black Scarves’ soldiers teach and mentor their Afghan National Army counterparts while on patrol on a daily basis. It is obvious that the warrior toughness and consummate professionalism of the Black Scarves is starting to rub off on the Afghan National Army Soldiers they mentor.

Additionally, the Black Scarves are building relationships with local leaders and initiating projects aimed at dramatically improve quality of life and capacity of the government in the area. It is humbling to witness the incredible effect our soldiers have on the people in the area. Our team is truly part of an effort greater than any individual.

The relative ease of transition from garrison to deployment is a testament not only to the professionalism and skill of Black Scarves soldiers, but also to their families and friends who provide the support needed to keep every soldier focused on the mission. I could not be more proud of the Soldiers and families of Task Force 1-2. In the long months ahead of us, I know these attributes will be what makes our units successful both on patrol and back home.

I cannot overstate how proud I am of the work our Soldiers continue to do, and I know that without your love and support it would not be possible. Thank you for keeping our warriors focused on the fight. We look forward to when our mission is complete and we can reunite at home with the ones we love. Until then, we ARE‌ BACK IN BLACK Earl B Higgins Jr., LTC, IN Commanding

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SEPTEMBER 2011

STAY CONNECTED WHEN NOT CONNECTED! Add the Black Scarves to your friends list on Facebook www.facebook.com

WHAT

WHEN

DATE

TIME

HHC FRG Meeting

Tue

10/4/2011

6:30 PM

A Co FRG Meeting

Wed

10/5/2011

5:00 PM

B Co FRG Meeting

Mon

10/3/2011

11:00 AM

C Co FRG Meeting

Fri

10/14/2011

10:00 AM

D Co FRG Meeting

Tue

10/11/2011

5:30 PM