Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
Issue 63 July 22, 2011
American K9 team entertains MPs
Capt. James Blocker, commander of 1775th Military Police Company, tries to shake off Atze during an American K-9 demonstration, July 4.
Story and photos by Sgt. Christina Hanshaw 1775th Military Police Company
Soldiers from the 1775th Military Police Company, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and civilians came together to celebrate Independence Day in a unique way at Combat Out Post Shurandam, Kandahar, Afghanistan.
DynCorp supplied an All-American meal that included cake and ice cream for desert. After the meal was complete, American K9 provided the entertainment. The show started off with a narcotics and explosives detection demonstration. The dogs performed the tasks of finding narcotics in a turned over box and locating an AK-47 round. They then searched a vehicle and found explosives in the wheel well of a pick-up truck. Culminating the event was the bite work portion, where a few Soldiers donned the bite sleeve and were “attacked” by the dogs. The Soldiers were given a running start, and the handler gave the command of attack. As demonstrated, even the smallest of dogs can take down a full grown man. The crowd, made up mostly of Soldiers, seemed to grow very excited when Capt. James Blocker, commander of 1775th MP Co., put on the bite sleeve. Lt. Col. Eugenia Guilmartin, commander of 385th Military Police
Battalion was another good sport to wear the bite sleeve. The Independence Day dinner and show was a way for both civilians and Soldiers to bond and have a good time. It also showed that even though things get rough and dirty at times, fun and friends are never that far away.
First Sgt. Michael Lucas, 1st Sgt. of 1775th Military Police Company, tests the strength of Atze during an American K-9 demonstration, July 4.
Cook boosts morale of cavalry Soldiers Story and photo by Capt. Michael Newman 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment
Things taken for granted in civilian life, can make or break the morale of a deployed Soldier. Mail, pay and showers can affect morale but a delicious hot meal can improve a Soldier’s mood like no other. Sgt. Shawn Hedrick, a cook with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 25th Brigade Support Battalion is doing his best to improve morale of his fellow Soldiers in Troop B, 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. “When our platoon is out on long missions, eating (Meals Ready to Eat), we get back dead tired and we have a great meal waiting for us that is a huge morale booster,” said Pvt. 1st Class Steven Flores, a medic with Troop B, 5th Sqdn., 1st Cav.
Sgt. Shawn Hedrick, a cook in Troop B, 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, opens boxes of food rations at Combat Out Post Little Blue, Afghanistan, July 12. Hedrick orders and prepares food for the Soldiers of COP Little Blue.
Reg. Hedrick not only prepares meals for the Soldiers, he also orders the food rations. When the food comes in, Hedrick must inventory and take steps to prepare the food.
“He doesn’t just rip into the bag and cook it,” Flores said. “He has all kinds of spices that he adds which makes a big difference.” Although cooking is Hedrick’s primary mission, he helps fellow Soldiers however he can. “He jumps right in and gives a hand,” Flores said. “Whenever the shower, generator, or whatever is down, he is always the first one there to get it fixed.” Hedrick is only attached to the 5th Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg., but he is a true asset and has really become part of the cavalry team, Flores said. Hedrick enjoys his job and what he brings to the table. “When you can see the labors of your work, it feels good. These guys are out there every day fighting for me, for everybody. I support them and they support me,” Hedrick said.
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Warhorse Pride
Issue 63 July 22, 2011
Quality of life at JCOP Pushtrod
A view of the dining facility at Joint Combat Outpost Pushtrod, July 18. Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, Task Force Lonestar live at JCOP Pushtrod with Afghan National Security Forces.
A view of the gym at Joint Combat Outpost Pushtrod, July 18. Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, Task Force Lonestar live at JCOP Pushtrod with Afghan National Security Forces.
Spc. Amos Chase, a cook with Forward Support Company, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, Task Force Lonestar, prepares corn for dinner at Joint Combat Outpost Pushtrod, July 18. Chase prepares every meal for his comrades at the JCOP.
Pvt. Bryon Williams, a tanker with Company D, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, Task Force Lonestar, pulls security in a guard tower at Joint Combat Outpust Pushtrod, July 18. Williams is a native of Cypress, Calif. Photos by Sgt. Seth Barham
Warhorse Pride Col. John S. Kolasheski...................2nd BCT Commander Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Delosa..............2nd BCT CSM Maj. Kevin Toner................................................2nd BCT PAO Sgt. Seth Barham..................................................PAO NCOIC Sgt. Ruth Pagan......................................Layout and Design Spc. April York.........................................Layout and Design
The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The Warhorse Pide is an Army-funded newsletter authorized under provision of AR 360-1. Contents of the Warhorse Pride are not necessarily the view of, nor endorsed by the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 4th Infantry Division. All editorial content of The Warhorse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public
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