Issue 41
Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
Jan 13, 2011
204th Soldiers run OPFOR at Warhorse Blitz Story by Spc. Jilasia DeBaugh
experience as OPFOR, “We followed the guidelines of what the scenario was, but we would run around and just come up with more interactive ways of Many Soldiers in Bravo Co., 204th implementing the scenario.” If you can Brigade Support Battalion were imagine pretending to be the enemy, actively engaged in assisting 2nd how much chaos can you get away Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry with? That was what made the OPFOR Division, Forward Support Company’s different and exciting for the Black on how to react in various lanes and Knights. Forward Operating Base operations When Warhorse Blitz was officially scenarios at Camp Red Devil this over, the Soldiers returned with a recent fall 2010. stronger knowledge base of what they Warhorse Blitz was organized to create a simulated environment of Soldiers from Company C, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade may encounter in the next year. After Combat Team conduct a cordon and search with assistance from all the units completed training there what sister units are experiencing in Soldiers from 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd BCT, Dec. 2 at Red was much to be done for the range to their current theater of operations Devil during Warhorse Blitz. be cleared by range control. downrange. Although Opposing Force in charge of the OPFOR operations. Nolan headed the cleanup efforts Soldiers were not the unit receiving the Each group was given a specific scenario that were necessary for the range to be vital training essential for the preparation or lane to run and the freedom to add in their cleared. With his team of NCOs and Soldiers, for deployment, they were being exposed to own twist to create a more challenging task. they worked tirelessly to ensure the range was what our unit’s strengths and weaknesses above and beyond the conditions required are across the brigade, as well as the enemies The OPFOR teams were very enthusiastic to clear. Nolan had this to say regarding the many ingenious and often surprising ways of about creating the most realistic situations pertaining to the scenarios. Many Soldiers OPFOR and Soldiers involved, “All of the disrupting missions and operations we may came back from the field talking about the Soldiers performed well in training the entire be undergoing. The Black Knights OPFOR consisted of six exciting moments they had experienced while brigade. A lot of them thought outside of the box to put difficult scenarios together for the groups, each with a noncommissioned officer conducting the various lanes. Spc. Shaun Harney was one of many combat units running the lanes. as a designated squad leader and Staff Sgt. continued on page 2 Robert Nolan as the noncommissioned officer who had positive feedback regarding his 204th Brigade Support Battalion photo by Spc. April York, 2nd BCT, PAO
Command Sergeant Major’s Corner
Command Sgt. Major Steven Mulig, CSM 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment
Soldiers and Families of Warhorse Brigade, The holiday season is behind us and we all hope you had a joyful and wonderful time with your loved ones. We also extend to you our wishes for a happy New Year! Now, after a much needed break for time with our families and friends, it is time again for us to turn our focus toward our upcoming deployment. We are currently busy preparing for our rotation to JRTC (Joint Readiness Training Center) at Fort Polk, Louisiana
– a training exercise designed to maximize our readiness to deploy. With the preparation for the JRTC rotation, and our deployment, come many competing requirements to ensure your Soldier is properly trained for success. We are currently training at the squad level in counter improvised explosive device (CIED) lanes, dismounted crew serve weapons (Machine Guns) emplacement and engagement techniques, squad movement techniques, and preparing our
equipment for shipment to JRTC. We have many Soldiers attending special courses to enhance our capabilities during our upcoming mission. We have Soldiers in Dari and Pashtu language course, Combat Life Saver course (CLS), Joint Fire Observer (JFO) course, demolitions, Electronic Warfare Operator (EWO) course, Vallon metal detector training, and more. As you can see we are quite busy readying the Brigade, Battalions and each Soldier for our mission so we are successful at all levels. continued on page 2
page 2
Warhorse Pride
New MRAP improves communition Story by Sgt. Coltin Heller 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment U.S. Division North Public Affairs
Members of Company C, Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, provided training on the command and control on the move mine resistant ambush protected vehicle platform to U.S. Division-North Soldiers at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, Dec. 11. The MRAP platform allows for better battlefield flexibility as well as access to realtime information while on the move, said Staff Sgt. Jacob McCoy, a radio operatormaintainer and chief instructor for the C2OTM training, Company C, DSTB, 4th Inf. Div. “This system places all the tactical operations center communications in one platform,” McCoy said. “It cuts down on the amount of equipment needed to keep in contact with units.” McCoy designed the training program during a one-month period for the brigades deployed as part of U.S. Division-North in support of Operation New Dawn. A civilian field service representative also assisted with the training, advising the Soldiers with the installation of the equipment. The C2OTM is housed in the Cayman platform, one of the many variations of the MRAP. The crew compartment has been
modified to hold the new system, consisting of several large monitors and hardware necessary to operate the system. “This is the first time the system has been tested in an operational environment,” said Pfc. Joseph Nolen, a fiber optics specialist and instructor for the C2OTM platform. “As with any new system there are bugs that have to be worked out, but the Soldiers have adapted well to the new system,” he added. After receiving the instruction portion of the class, the crews distanced the vehicles at various locations throughout COB Speicher to test the system and its abilities. Although new to the system, the crews operated it without any problem. “The C2 system enables us to go somewhere and set up communications,” said Pfc. Jeremy Pritchard, a student in the class assigned to Headquarters Support Battery, 4th Inf. Div. “It also lets us get communications up faster and enables units that go out on overnight missions to have a secure way of communicating.” Beyond the Soldiers using the systems in the field, the new communications tool will also help commanders move troops more efficiently as U.S. forces train and mentor Iraqi Security Forces, said McCoy.
Issue 41 Jan 13, 2011 continued from page 1
Yes, our training schedule is heavy and our “to do” list is a long one, but families are extremely important to us as well. Honestly, juggling all of the training events and getting your Soldier home to be with you is no easy task. Know that we are sincerely trying to do so. However, with our limited time and the training needed to ensure our Soldiers’ safety and success during deployment, we must borrow them from you time to time. We assure you that we will keep working to maximize the time you have with your Soldier before we deploy. We appreciate all that you do for us and especially for your Soldier. The hardest job in the Army is not being a Soldier, it is being a spouse, a child, a father or mother of a Soldier and for that we Thank You! God Bless you, your Soldier, the Army and the United States of America. We again want to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.
204th as OPFOR
continued from page 1
All of the Soldiers were outstanding to work with. Sgt. Lee Harris took charge of the clean up after the field problem. Sgt. Paul Burnside was a great assistant. Spc. Timothy Martin took charge in the absence of NCOs.” The Black Knights take great pride in completing tasks and missions at hand and helping the Brigade Combat Team prepare for mission.
Warhorse Pride Col. John S. Kolasheski..................2nd BCT Commander Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Delosa............2nd BCT CSM Maj. Kevin Toner...............................................2nd BCT PAO Spc. April York........................................Layout and Design Sgt. Seth Barham............................................................Editor Sgt. Ruth Pagan...............................................................Editor
The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the fairs Office. Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles, commenDivision. The Warhorse Pride is an Army-funded news- tary, and photos from readers. The Warhorse Pride letter authorized under provision of AR 360-1. reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the Contents of The Warhorse Pride are publication. not necessarily the views of, nor endorsed by the, U.S. All issues of the Warhorse Pride can be viewed government, Department of Defense, Department of the online from your home computer at www.facebook. Army or the 4th Infantry Division. All editorial content com/2bct4id of The Warhorse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and Submissions should be emailed to the approved by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Afeditor: seth.barham1@conus.army.mil