Issue 72 Oct. 1, 2011
Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
ANA shoot the ‘big guns’ in Jannat Story and photos by Sgt. Ruth Pagan 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO
Soldiers with Company A, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, sit beside their Afghan National Army partners while they fire the M-240 machine gun at a range Sept 21.
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oldiers with Company A, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, instructed soldiers from Weapons, Platoon 3rd Company of the Afghan National Army at the range to get them acquainted with the M-249 and M-240 machine guns, Sept 21. “We did an overview class earlier this week on assembly and disassembly of the M-249 and 240,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Cooney, a senior squad leader with Company A. “We showed them where they need to place (the weapons) in their formations and the best ways to use the weapon’s systems.” The ANA who attended the training are all noncommissioned officers who are in charge of teams, squads or platoons. “We are training their NCO Corps so they can train their soldiers later on,” Cooney said.
The range allowed ANA to gain experience in firing both the M-249 and M-240. “This training is helping us a lot and I’m getting confidence on this so I can fight against the enemy,” said Afghan Sgt. 1st Class Abdul Nasier, platoon sergeant. “We are trying to make sure the ANA are proficient with the
weapons systems,” Cooney said. “If we continuously train it is very good for the soldiers because that way they are going to be more confident in their shooting and they can fight better against the enemy and for the missions they are going on,” said Afghan 2nd Lt. Sadat Masroor, the platoon leader.
Cpl. Kyle Cochran, a team leader with Company A, signs to pull back the charging handle of an M-240 to the Afghan National Army soldier who is about to fire the weapon Sept. 21. The range was held for ANA to get experience in firing the M-249 and M-240 weapons systems.
Staff Sgt. Adam, Marzan, a squad leader with Company A, instructs an Afghan National Army soldier to push the bolt forward of an M-240 at a range Sept. 21. The Soldiers of Company A are training the noncommissioned officers of the ANA on the M-249 and M-240 weapons systems so they can go back and train their soldiers.
Geophysicists search Afghanistan for tunnels The detection procedure is time consuming but oldiers are always thinking of what helpful. the enemy might do and thinking of “It’s a slow ways to outsmart them. A tunnel detection team is making the rounds throughout the going process,” said Owen Warhorse area of operation in Kandahar province to take away a method the enemy Metheny, a field engineer for might consider. “We are helping to keep the camp safe,” ERDC. “We cover said Steven Sloan, a research geophysicist about 600 meters for the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, Miss. in four to five hours.” The researchers do a lot of traveling for their “We make sure nobody is coming into job. the camp using underground avenues that “We travel to different regional commands normally wouldn’t be seen and wouldn’t be monitored. We check smaller isolated areas and help out in the battle spaces of different - usually areas of interests and perimeters.” military branches,” Sloan said. “We use Story by Maj. Kevin Toner and Spc. April York 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO
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Photo by Spc. April York
geophysical techniques to look for anomalies underground. We look for things that stick out as abnormal that might indicate that there is a void or something else of interest. As we work our way through an area we look for how things change from spot to spot.”
“I really enjoy my job,” Metheny said. “I’m doing something for my country and helping keep people safe. Plus where else could a bunch of civilians get to come to Afghanistan and look for tunnels.”
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Warhorse Pride
Issue 72 Oct. 1, 2011
Lonestars train ALP to detect IEDs Riding in style Story and photo by Capt. Bonnie Hutchinson 2nd Special Troops Battalion
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oldiers assigned to the Afghan Local Police training detachment with Company D, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, attached to 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted an improvised explosive device lane at Joint Combat Outpost Masaw, Sept. 15. Planning for the lane took place Sept. 12-13 and focused on teaching the ALP about identifying and securing IEDs. The ALP received classroom training that provided an overview on the components of an IED, common locations for emplacement of IEDs and proper steps to cordon the IED in preparation for an explosive ordnance team. After the classroom training portion was completed, the ALP participated in the IED lanes. There were two separate IED lanes, and ALP members were given a task and purpose in order to guide them through each of the scenarios. ALP were directed to identify any IEDs or caches, practice reporting the incident to their higher headquarters, and to identify the type of IED in order to request EOD support. “Since we assumed responsibility for the Masaw battle space, we have watched the ALP
makes vast improvements,” said Capt. Brian Kern, ALP training detachment commander. “The ALP program is vital for a secure and prosperous Afghanistan.” Kern went on to say, “The ALP members displayed their ability to identify IEDs, which is one of the biggest threats in this area of operations. I am confident that they will be able to secure and protect their fellow citizens.”
An Afghan Local Police officer observes the ground in search for signs of an improvised explosive device during an IED training lane held at Joint Combat Outpost Masaw, Sept. 15. The lane was conducted by Soldiers assigned to the Afghan Local Police training detachment with Company D, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment attached to 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, to teach the ALP about identifying and securing IEDs.
SFAT train Afghan bodyguards Story by Sgt. Ruth Pagan 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO
proficient and accurate with their weapons. “Because the governor is a strong leader he is a threat to the enemy and must be protected he four bodyguards arrived armed by men who are confident with their with the typical Afghan weapon– weapons,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Watson the AK-47. of SFAT 4. “The training we set up is to help Soldiers with Security Force Assistance them become more accurate and Team 4, 2nd comfortable in close range shooting.” Brigade Combat SFAT 4 trained the bodyguards on Team, 4th Infantry threat indicators, attack precursors, Division, trained preformed drills with the M4 and the Arghandab held a close quarters shooting range. district governor’s The two senior bodyguards bodyguards to help Photo by SFAT 4 also carried Smith and Wesson 9 them become more
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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
Photo by Sgt. Ruth Pagan
A man rides his motorcycle through the street as 1st Lt. Andrew Bisset, a platoon leader with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, does a patrol, Aug. 4. Motorcycles are a common mode of transportation in Afghanistan.
mm pistols, so the Soldiers also made sure all four men were trained in pistol marksmanship. “Two of the guys had never even touched a pistol before this,” said Watson. “They definitely improved from this training.” “This was good training,” said Ramatullah, a bodyguard. “I feel that the governor is safer now because of this knowledge.” This is not the last of the classes for the bodyguards. SFAT 4 is planning more training events to improve their skills. “I am glad for this training and am excited to learn more,” Ramatullah said. Affairs Office. The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles, commentary and photos from readers. The Warhorse Pride reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the publication. All issues of The Warhorse Pride can be viewed online from your home computer at www.facebook. com/2bct4id Submissions should be e-mailed to the editor: seth.barham@afghan.swa.army.mil