Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Afghans open bridge in Farah ProvinceStory and photos by Capt. Bonnie Hutchinson2nd Special Troops Battalion

Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battal-ion, 67th Armor Regiment attached to

2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, hosted a banquet for 50 of Pusht Rod’s key leaders in celebration of the company’s first completed Commander’s Emergency Response Program project in the Pusht Rod District Sept. 8.

The completed Cin Farsi Bridge and culvert was built by the citizens of Pusht Rod in order to connect the district to Farah City, the hub of all commerce in Farah Province. In attendance at the luncheon were several senior Government of the Islamic Republic of

Afghanistan representatives to include the District Sub-Governor Ghwasuddin. Also in attendance were numerous Afghan National Security Forces and shura leaders from the district.

The celebratory luncheon was also used as an opportunity for the company and the local leaders to discuss future district develop-

ment and improvement ideas. During the event, several local leaders agreed that a trench clean-up project is vital to the future prosperity of the district.

“Ensuring the trenches are clean prevents insurgent forces from hiding (improvised explosive devices) and other weapons aimed at ANSF and coalition forces,” said 1st Sgt. Jon Martinez, first sergeant of Company D. “It also provides farmers with proper crop ir-rigation, which allows them to

Issue 73 Oct. 8, 2011

First Lt. Brandon Schwartz with Company D, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment at-tached to 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Divi-sion, enjoys lunch with Afghan National Se-curity Force soldiers Sept. 8. The lunch was a celebration of his company’s first com-pleted Commander’s Emergency Response Program project in the Pusht Rod district.

Spc. Araliz Lowery and Pfc. Brittney Poole, cooks with HHC, 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., cook the evening meal at the ANCOP. The cooks begin preparing the evening meal at 3 p.m. in order to serve Soldiers dinner by 5 p.m.

improve their commerce and economy.” The luncheon provided a forum for dis-

cussion and opened lines of communication that historically have been closed.

“Using the ribbon cutting of the Cin Farsi bridge and culvert expansion to bring every-one together and talk through the district’s issues was a good idea,” said Sub-Governor Gwasuddin.

The luncheon and discussion displayed the desire of the citizens of Pusht Rod to take se-curity and development into their own hands.

“It was refreshing to see such a good turn out from the district leadership,” said Capt. Tony Hoefler, commander of Company D. “Discussing issues side-by-side with the ANSF and district leadership showed us that they want to continue the development and stability of the Pusht Rod district.”

He went on to say, “They want to ensure they play a key role in the process because they feel ready to assume responsibility for their proud country.”

Cooks with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd

Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, have a very important mission at the Afghan National Civil Order Police Brigade Headquarters: feed Soldiers. “We provide nutritiously balanced meals to keep the warfighter in the fight,” said Sgt. James Rush, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the cooks with HHC, 2nd Bn. 8th Inf. Reg. Rush and his fellow cooks try to provide fresh fruits and vegetables and an assortment of drinks. In addition to Meals Ready to Eat, the standard for lunch, the HHC cooks provide lunch meats and cheese so Soldiers have the option of

making a sandwich. “Everyone is really happy with us because they get two hot meals,” said Spc. Araliz Lowery, the first cook with HHC. “We get a lot of guys saying they are used to eating only MREs.” It hasn’t all been smooth as gravy though; they have had to work out a few lumps. “When we first got here we really had to do a lot to get the equipment to standard,” said Rush. The first few days were a blur of cleaning and trying to put out meals, Lowery said.As time has gone on, said Rush, the cooks have really come together and it seems like things are a lot smoother. “It’s getting better because we are getting used to the battle rhythm and we’re learning how Sergeant Rush wants thing,” said Lowery. Pfc. Brittney Poole, a cook with HHC

Talon cooks soaring to the task of feeding SoldiersStory and photo by Sgt. Ruth Pagan2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO

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and first-time deployer was expecting the worst. “I thought ANCOP was going to be a hole in the wall and really primitive,” said Poole. “But it’s really not that bad.” “My favorite part is serving because you get to know all the Joes and it keeps you busy,” Poole said. Although the ANCOP HQ is a relatively small camp, the three cooks stay very busy. “We are up at 0430 to start breakfast

Warhorse PridePage 2 Issue 73 Oct. 8hhh, 2011

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 news-letter 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

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

Col. John S. Kolasheski...................2nd BCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Ralph Delosa..............2nd BCT CSMMaj. Kevin Toner................................................2nd BCT PAOSgt. Seth Barham..................................................PAO NCOICSgt. Ruth Pagan......................................Layout and DesignSpc. April York.........................................Layout and Design

Warhorse Pride

AUP partners with 2STB Talon cooks

Non-lethal rounds

Story and photo by Capt. Bonnie Hutchinson2nd Special Troops Battalion

Afghan Uniformed Police and their partners from the military police

platoon and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, delivered supplies to the Sur Village School Sept. 11.

After a meeting with village elders, Task Force Lonestar learned that school supplies were running low and they stepped in to help.

In an effort to connect the police to the

people and as a gesture of American goodwill, an emergency resupply of school supplies was decided upon.

“I believe that this project is very important to the students in Sur,” said Sgt. Joshua Keltner, a training room noncommissioned officer with HHC. “I think it will make a difference in their ability and desire to continue to learn.”

“The children were genuinely excited to see us and receive their school supplies,” said Capt. Orande Roy, HHC commander. “Although the gesture seemed small to us, it meant a great deal to the children who are unable to buy supplies on their own and are eager to learn. These children are the future of Afghanistan and without their hearts and their minds, our mission to achieve a peaceful and independent Afghanistan is unattainable.”

The event also meant a lot to the Task Force Lonestar Soldiers and their Afghan police partners who planned and conducted the school re-supply.

“I am proud that we could be a part of helping out the younger generation in Sur Village,” said Sgt. Michael Dade, a combat medic with HHC.

“This is something I will remember for the rest of my life,” said Sgt. Elton Lambert, a squad leader with HHC.

Sgt. Elton Lambert, a squad leader in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and his Afghan police partners deliver school books to the children in Sur Village. During a meeting with village elders and the school principal, HHC learned of an emergency need for supplies.

Photo by Sgt. Ruth Pagan

Photo by Spc. April York2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO

Staff Sgt. Kelly Johnson, with the Security Forces Assistance Team 1, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Team, fires non-lethal weapons during a range held at Camp Nathan Smith. The non-lethal range was held for five Soldiers who will go back to their battalions and train their personnel on what they learned during the range.

Afghan Uniformed Police and Soldiers from 58th Military Police Company attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, walk through the community around Police Sub Station 16, Sept. 30. Their mission was to speak with people in the community about their concerns and to inform them about the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the good things they are doing.

MPs and AUP patrol together

and our day ends around 2030 with a short break during midday in order to exercise and laundry,” said Rush. Though the cooks have long days with hectic schedules, they realize the importance of their jobs and what they do for the Soldiers. “Soldiers look forward to the meals and we do whatever we can to make them happy. The troops really depend on us,” Rush said.

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