Issue 114 Oct. 18, 2012
Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
‘Bison’ PT with family builds camaraderie,
strengthens cavalry spirit Story by 1st Lt. James Cumming 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment
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he chill to the morning air did not detract from the excitement felt as family members gathered with their Soldiers for the morning’s first formation. Soldiers with 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, along with their family members joined together to conduct physical training at Iron Horse Park, Sept. 28. “It was pretty awesome,” said Spc. Nicholas Cross, Company H, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. “This is the first familyoriented PT event I’ve done, we didn’t anything like this in my
last squadron.” The event brought Soldiers and family together to showcase the Army’s Physical Readiness Training program. Not only was PRT conducted, there was a mile run that families could participate in. “I think my wife has a new found appreciation for what we do every morning,” said Capt. Scott Harvie, squadron planner. “It was definitely something out of the ordinary for her, but we had a good time.” After the PT session, breakfast was provided for everyone while Soldiers were recognized for excelling during a recent PT test. “This was a great opportunity for our families to be part of what we do every morning,” Harvie said.
Re-enlistment
Color guard
Photo by Staff Sgt. Ruth Pagán
Sgt. Joshua Clark (left) and Spc. Nicholas Cross, both cavalry scouts with HHT, 1st Sqdn, 10th Cav. Reg., unroll the colors at Aragon Elementary School, Oct. 15. The Soldiers were part of a color guard presentation for the school’s award assembly. Aragon ES is the school partnered with 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. through Fort Carson’s Adopt-A-School program, whose goal is to enhance community relations through Soldier volunteers.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Ruth Pagán
Soldiers with 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., raise their right hand during a reenlistment ceremony Oct. 12. The squadron had approximatly 20 Soldiers who decided to make a longer commitment to the Army. Family members were invited to the event to show support for their Soldier.
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Warhorse Pride
Issue 114 Oct. 18, 2012
‘Lonestars’ recertify UAV Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Ruth Pagán
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2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
oldiers from the Unmanned Aerial System Platoon, Company A, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, recertified on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles at Fort Carson’s Camp Red Devil, Sept. 24 through Oct. 5. ‘Drones’ are an effective tool in today’s Army arsenal and Civilian Aeronautic Air Instructors, who led the recertification, ensured the Soldiers were properly trained on all of the updated systems and equipment that came out while the unit was deployed. When the UAS platoon returned from deployment a few months ago, they turned in all their equipment for service and updates to AAI as part of the reset. Pfc. Ryan Golden (left) and Sgt. Jacob Schmitt, both unmanned aircraft systems repairers, Company A, 2nd STB, perform “The equipment went through their preflight systems checks on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at Fort Carson’s Camp Red Devil, Oct. 4. The Soldiers launched systems and if there were any new updates, the UAV as one of the final steps in their recertification. The recertification process lasted two weeks with the first week then they added them to the UAV and they being in class and the second week being hands-on. Soldiers must prove they understand the knowledge and have the re-serviced all the aircraft, ground shelters skills to be recertified. and antennas,” said Staff Sgt. Benjamin but Soldiers must prove their proficiency by Harvey, unmanned aerial vehicle operator, This training is not only beneficial to new meeting certain steps and performing certain Company A, 2nd STB, 2nd BCT. “Anything Soldiers, but veterans as well. that’s broken, they fix it and get it back to us.” actions. “This is kind of like riding a bike, you “Soldiers must successfully show Now that all of their equipment is up-todon’t forget it, but you do get very rusty,” competence in the different aspects of the date, the Soldiers had to recertify. Harvey said. “So being able to come out and flight: launch, recover and flight,” Harvey The civilian instructors informed the get hands on the equipment is good.” said. Soldiers of any changes to the rules and “In our job, you have to stay current For new Soldiers, this regulations because things are always changing and is an opportunity to get that govern this is one of the ways we stay current,” said hands-on-training and UAVs and Spc. Nolan Barr, unmanned aerial vehicle implement it in actual how to comply operator, Company A. flight time. with them, Not only are Soldiers receiving “To actually be here said Harvey. their recertification training, but the platoon with my unit working, “The benefits as well. launching ‘birds’ and software “Since we’ve redeployed, there has been doing my job, it means updates are a lot of changes to our platoon with people a lot,” said Pfc. Ryan the most leaving and others coming in, so this has Golden, unmanned changing been a good opportunity to see how everyone aircraft systems repairer, works together,” Harvey said. “It’s nice to aspect of the Company A, 2nd STB. UAV so they see that a lot of our new people are very Not only are civilians make sure we knowledgeable and everyone seems to be instructing, but recently understand it,” Sergeant Jacob Schmitt, unmanned aircraft systems repairer, adjusting real well to the new teams.” and Spc. Nolan Barr, unmanned aerial vehicle operator, both with redeployed Soldiers are he added. This has been the first opportunity the Company A, 2nd STB, reset the launching shuttle at Fort Carson’s helping new Soldiers The first platoon has been able to work together on the Camp Red Devil, Oct. 4. The shuttle propels the Unmanned week of training Aerial Vehicles then stops short forcing the UAV into flight. After with lessons learned equipment since redeploying. is classroom “We came together fairly quickly,” the UAV is launched the shuttle must be set back to the starting downrange. “The training instruction and position at the base. Golden said. “We had a few months before I’m getting from the second week our equipment came back to get to know the experienced people who came from is field training on launching, recovering and each other and get trained up, so once the downrange is so useful,” Golden said. “I’m flying the UAVs. equipment got here, we hit the ground learning so much; there is a lot to take in.” There are no tests required to certify, running.”
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Warhorse Pride
Issue 114 Oct. 18, 2012
‘Rough Riders’ unwind through paintball Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Ruth Pagán
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2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
unning from tree to tree, ducking and dodging the Soldiers’ adrenaline pumped with the excitement of trying not to get hit with paintballs, this was not just another day in the office. Soldiers from Company A, 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, participated in the Warrior Adventure Quest at Fort Carson’s Turkey Creek, Sept. 28. WAQ is an Army training tool designed to introduce Soldiers to coping outlets or resiliency methods through adrenalinepumping activities to achieve an equivalent type of “rush” that they may have experienced while deployed. “While Soldiers are deployed, they experience high level of stress for an extended period of time; we are trying to give them a way to get their adrenaline levels up in a positive way,” said Ryan Sullivan, recreation assistant with Fort Carson’s WAQ. WAQ offers an array of activities for redeploying units to choose from, at no expense to the Soldier, such as rock climbing, paintball, ropes courses, skiing, zip lines and white water rafting. The “Rough Riders” chose to participate in
paintball. “Today, all they have to do is show up,” Sullivan said. “We provide their markers (paintball guns), their masks, all the paintball rounds, all the gear they need and we have an air refilling station to fill the markers.” This program gives Soldiers the opportunity to get acquainted with a new interest. “I think it’s a good thing they supply all the equipment and all the gear needed,” said Staff Sgt. Ronnie Biggers, platoon sergeant, Company A. “This gives them an introduction to a hobby they could pick up on their own and it allows them to do something that is a fun outdoors activity, so they aren’t just sitting in their barracks room.” The program is beneficial for Soldiers on a personal level as well. “The whole unit gets cohesion and they learn to interact with each other again,” Biggers said. “It’s a good thing— a good experience.” “These guys have just gotten back from a yearlong deployment, so they are here to decompress and have some more camaraderie with each other,” said 2nd Lt. Amanda LaSarge, platoon leader, Company A. “It is well deserved for them; they did a great job downrange.”
Soldiers with Company A, 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, engage in a game of paintball at Turkey Creek, Sept. 28, 2012. The paintball game and all equipment were provided to the Soldiers through the Warrior Adventure Quest program.
Warhorse Pride Col. Omar Jones IV........................2nd BCT Commander Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen....2nd BCT CSM Maj. Chris Maestas.................................................PAO OIC Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch..................................PAO NCOIC Staff Sgt. Ruth Pagan.........................Layout and Design Sgt. Seth Barham........................................................Editor
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
Second Lt. Amanda LaSarge (far back), platoon leader, Sgt. Kurt Bailey (left), Spc. Ronald Lewis (middle), and Cpl. James Kayim (front) all motor transport operators with Company A, 204th BSB, take cover during a speedball round of paintball at Turkey Creek, Sept. 28. The Soldiers participated in the Warrior Adventure Quest program.
Soldiers said they appreciated the break in routine. “It was fun and very exciting,” said Pfc. Roger Zelada, motor transport operator, Company A. “I really appreciate this a lot; it’s nice to give Soldiers a break once in a while.” “This really allows them to get away from work and their usual schedule so they can wind down,” Sullivan said. “I mean who wouldn’t want to come out and play for a few hours?”
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: ruth.a.pagan2.mil@mail.mil
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Family Readiness Group
Issue 114 Oct. 18, 2012
FRG events Oct. 25 ~ Company A &D, 2-8 Inf. FRG meeting at the Family Readiness Center at 5:00 p.m. Oct. 26 ~ FSC, 2-8 Inf. and 2BCT Halloween Party at 1:00 p.m. ~ HHC 2-8 Inf. Halloween Party at the Family Readiness Center at 6:00 p.m. Oct. 27 ~ 2-8 Inf. Trunk of Fun at 2-8 Inf. at 4:00 p.m. Oct. 29 ~ Company C, 204th BSB FRG Fun Event “Haunted House” at the company at 5:00 p.m. Oct. 30 ~ 1-10 CAV Town Hall at the Special Events Center at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Oct. 31 ~ 2-8 Inf. Trunks of Fun at 4:00 p.m. ~BN FRSA SAV at the Family Readiness Center at 9:00 a.m.
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Warhorse Fall Festival @ Turkey Creek 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
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Canon Halloween Carnival @ Starsmore Discovery Center 4:00 p.m.
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Colorado Springs Oktoberfest @ Security Service Field Sat. & Sun. Adult: $10, military: $8 and children: $5
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Emma Crawford Coffin Race and Parade @ Downtown Historic Manitou Springs 12:00 p.m.
Nightmare Before Christmas @ Penrose Library 2:00 p.m.
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Day of the Dead tour @ Colorado Wold and Wildlife Center Adults: $25 Children (12 and up): $15 reservations required 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
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Rocky Mountain Haunt Fest @ Rocky Mountain Haunt Fest starting Oct. 22 thru Oct. 31. $15-$25 7:00 p.m.
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Stories in the Dark @ East Library 7:00 p.m.
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Lunch & a Look at the Garden Program @ Garden of the Gods 11:30 a.m.
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Brass Blast @ Colorado College, Packard Hall 7:30 p.m.
FRSA Information
3-16 FAR Dyanne Beckman.........................................................526-1635 dyanne.m.beckman.civ@mail.mil
2nd BCT Valarie Adams............................................................524-4797 valarie.a.adams.civ@mail.mil
1-67 AR Valerie Mansapit...........................................................524-1476 valerie.j.mansapit.civ@mail.mil
1-10 CAV Francy Avizu...............................................................526-1946 francy.avizu.civ@mail.mil
204th BSB Barbara Young...............................................................526-4172 barbara.a.young.civ@mail.mil
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Lunch &a Movie: In the Wake of the flood @ Pikes Peak Community College 11:00 a.m.
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Nightmare Before Christmas @ Penrose Library 02:00 p.m.
Fall Italian Harvest Dinner @ Paravicini’s $40 per person 6:30 p.m.
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Nightmare Before Christmas @ Penrose Library 02:00 p.m.
2-8 IN Ursual Pittman...........................................................526-0727 ursual.t.pittman.civ@mail.mil 2 STB Spc. Morgan Madrick..............................................503-2602 morgan.a.madrick.mil@mail.mil Find us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/2bct4id
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Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers
Issue 114 Oct. 18, 2012