1-27 in wolfhound april newsletter

6
1-27th Infantry “The Bark” U.S. ARMY Volume 4, Issue 1 April 2011 Wolfhound News and Events! Due to redeploy- ment in the com- ing months, we request that no more packages be sent beginning in April Congrats to SGT Olsen on his re- turn to Iraq after his recovery Warrior 6 and Warrior 7 Congratulate the Wolfhounds On March 25, 2011, Soldiers from the Wolfhound Battalion gathered in front of LSA 14 to congratulate a select few individuals on their ac- complishments. Soldiers from SSG Shackleford’s squad, Borzio Com- pany, stood on stage to receive awards from the Brigade Com- mander, COL Malcolm Frost. These Soldiers were the winners of the Warrior Brigade Squad Competition that was held earlier in the month, and were presented with several different awards. The Army Com- mendation Medal was awarded to the NCO’s, the Army Achievement Medal was awarded to the Soldiers, and Brigade coins were given to the whole squad. The Squad Competi- tion was a series of events that tested an infantry squad’s abilities to work together, as well as their physical and mental endurance. There were multiple events that challenged each squad’s capacity to work and think quickly and react to changing situa- tions at a moment’s notice. Squads from all over the 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade attended the competi- tion, only to fall short of victory behind the Soldiers from Borzoi Company, 1-27th Infantry Battalion. The competition included physical tests (running, pushups and sit-ups), reacting to contact, battle-drills, and foot-marching. It was a rigorous, allday series of events that many Sol- diers were not able to complete. The Soldiers from SSG Shackleford’s Squad, Borzoi Company, proved that the Wolfhounds are the most highly trained, skilled, and prepared Sol- diers within the Brigade. SSG Shack- leford’s squad has shown that with hard work and dedication, you can achieve greatness. Also attending both the Battalion and Brigade Squad Competition, was a squad from Recon Platoon, Head- quarters Company. Recon placed 2nd in the Battalion competition, and gave Borzoi a run for their money. It was a close race but in the end, Congratulations to the Following Borzoi Soldiers for Winning the 2011 Warrior Brigade Squad Competition!! SSG Alex Shackleford SGT Yeli Buonya CPL Joshua Tester SPC Dane Gordon SPC Luis Hernandez SPC Sergio Sandoval SPC Jeremiah Wells SPC Gerald Wickens PFC Jacob Walker TOP: The winners of the Warrior Brigade Squad Competition stand on stage as COL Frost speaks of their accomplishments. ABOVE: The squad from Recon that placed 2nd in the Battalion competition and 5th in the Brigade competition. LEFT: COL Frost presents Soldiers from Borzoi Company with the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. Continued on Pg. 2

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Page 1: 1-27 IN Wolfhound April Newsletter

1-27th Infantry “The Bark”

U.S. ARMY Volume 4, Issue 1 April 2011

Wolfhound News

and Events!

Due to redeploy-

ment in the com-

ing months, we

request that no

more packages be

sent beginning in

April

Congrats to SGT

Olsen on his re-

turn to Iraq after

his recovery

Warrior 6 and Warrior 7 Congratulate the Wolfhounds

On March 25, 2011, Soldiers from

the Wolfhound Battalion gathered in

front of LSA 14 to congratulate a

select few individuals on their ac-

complishments. Soldiers from SSG

Shackleford’s squad, Borzio Com-

pany, stood on stage to receive

awards from the Brigade Com-

mander, COL Malcolm Frost. These

Soldiers were the winners of the

Warrior Brigade Squad Competition

that was held earlier in the month,

and were presented with several

different awards. The Army Com-

mendation Medal was awarded to

the NCO’s, the Army Achievement

Medal was awarded to the Soldiers,

and Brigade coins were given to the

whole squad. The Squad Competi-

tion was a series of events that tested

an infantry squad’s abilities to work

together, as well as their physical

and mental endurance. There were

multiple events that challenged each

squad’s capacity to work and think

quickly and react to changing situa-

tions at a moment’s notice. Squads

from all over the 2nd Advise and

Assist Brigade attended the competi-

tion, only to fall short of victory

behind the Soldiers from Borzoi

Company, 1-27th Infantry Battalion.

The competition included physical

tests (running, pushups and sit-ups),

reacting to contact, battle-drills, and

foot-marching. It was a rigorous, all–

day series of events that many Sol-

diers were not able to complete. The

Soldiers from SSG Shackleford’s

Squad, Borzoi Company, proved that

the Wolfhounds are the most highly

trained, skilled, and prepared Sol-

diers within the Brigade. SSG Shack-

leford’s squad has shown that with

hard work and dedication, you can

achieve greatness.

Also attending both the Battalion

and Brigade Squad Competition, was

a squad from Recon Platoon, Head-

quarters Company. Recon placed 2nd

in the Battalion competition, and

gave Borzoi a run for their money. It

was a close race but in the end,

Congratulations to the Following Borzoi Soldiers for

Winning the 2011 Warrior Brigade Squad Competition!!

SSG Alex Shackleford

SGT Yeli Buonya

CPL Joshua Tester

SPC Dane Gordon

SPC Luis Hernandez

SPC Sergio Sandoval

SPC Jeremiah Wells

SPC Gerald Wickens

PFC Jacob Walker

TOP: The winners of the Warrior Brigade Squad Competition stand on stage as COL Frost

speaks of their accomplishments.

ABOVE: The squad from Recon that placed 2nd in the Battalion competition and 5th in the

Brigade competition.

LEFT: COL Frost presents Soldiers from Borzoi Company with the Army Commendation

Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.

Continued on Pg. 2

Page 2: 1-27 IN Wolfhound April Newsletter

Volume 4, Issue 1 April 2011

Page 2

The Blessing of Perseverance

As I came back from leave last month, I gave my wife a call in the

evening as normal. We had the normal chit-chat about the kiddos and

everything going on at home. But then, she made an interesting obser-

vation. She said that it felt like she was just holding on. She didn't

want to do anything special, she just wanted wait for life to resume

when I got back home. I think a lot of us find ourselves thinking that as

well.

In preparing to preach from the Book of James this last weekend, I

read, "Consider it all Joy, my brethren, when you encounter various

trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."

I was reminded that our trials and struggles are meant for a purpose -

to produce endurance, steadfastness, and patience in our character. The

word endurance comes from the Greek "upomenow" meaning to "stand

firm" or "remain under".

As we stand firm under the pressures that the trials of life piles onto

us, God has a plan, a purpose for those trials. It is like a precious gem -

like a diamond - that when all is left is a seeming pile of useless junk,

carbon left from a fire - that God is doing his most precious work. That

heat, pressure, and time forges something that is precious. The most pre-

cious gems actually have more imperfections - minerals and impurities

that produce brilliant colors. But the danger is, if we remove ourselves

from the struggle, all we're going to be left with is a heap of coal.

Perseverance isn't just gutting it out - just passively standing by while

the storm blows over - but rather, constantly entrusting ourselves to the

one who is at work amongst us, and allowing Him to change our character

and attitude for the better.

So, as we look forward to that day when we are all home together, don't

just gut it out, but rather, commit your cares and concerns to God, and ask

him to give you the wisdom to make these last few months meaningful

and productive.

- Wolfhound Cross

Recon placed 5th overall in the Brigade Competition. They were pre-

sented with Certificates of Achievement for their accomplishments dur-

ing both of the competitions, and for remaining steadfast, even in the

face of defeat.

Shortly after the award ceremony, 7 Staff Sergeants from the Wolf-

hound Battalion were recognized for their selection on the Sergeant

First Class List. The Sergeant First Class List is a once-a-year list that is

published and gives the names of all those who are in line to receive

promotion to the rank of Sergeant First Class. Those on the list must

wait until their sequence number is selected, but will be promoted in the

near future.

Sergeant First Class is a significant step forward in one’s career in the

Army. It is a rank that is sought after by all NCO’s and junior Soldiers,

and takes years of dedication and commitment to the Army. It is the first

rank in which one is considered a “senior Non-Commissioned Officer”,

and comes with greater responsibility and respect from Soldiers, NCO’s

and Officers alike. The selection process for Sergeant First Class is a

long and tedious process that includes having one’s military records and

Department of the Army photo reviewed by a selection board, while

being compared to other qualified NCO’s. The Wolfhounds are ex-

tremely proud of having these fine NCO’s within our ranks and serving

by our side.

SSG Jerome Beier

SSG Jacob Cheever

SSG Lucas Collins

SSG Paul Daley

SSG Manuel Isbell

SSG John Jackson

SSG Dusty Lamborn

SSG Jorge Flores

SSG Marco Vasquez

TOP: (left to right) SSG Daley, SSG Lamborn, SSG Isbell, SSG Cheever, SSG Beier, SSG Collins, & SSG

Jackson on stage

Warrior 6 and Warrior 7 Congratulate the Wolfhounds

LEFT: SGT Olsen

(RECON/HHC) receiving his

promotion from Specialist to

Sergeant. SGT Olsen was

wounded in combat earlier

in the deployment, and

recently returned to Iraq

following his recovery.

Continued from Pg. 1

Words from the Wolfhound Chaplain

Page 3: 1-27 IN Wolfhound April Newsletter

Commander’s Corner

Page 3

Company News

Aloha! As April brings

warmer weather it also brings

us to the realization that we're

almost home. In less than two

short months Able's Soldiers

will be stepping off the plane

and begin our transition back

to "normal" life. Until then

Able Company will continue

to succeed and accomplish

every mission given to us.

Since the last newsletter, First

and Third Platoons stayed

busy with securing the Police

Transition and Provincial Re-

construction Teams. Their

efforts directly resulted in bet-

ter training for Iraqi security

forces and improved the local

infrastructure. Second Platoon

is gradually closing out their

Iraqi Army Training mission

at KMTB and we’re anxiously

awaiting their return to unite

the Able Team. They con-

tinue to build a strong and

proud reputation across the

Brigade. Lastly Fourth Platoon is still primarily focused on

executing the key leader engagements with our Iraqi security

partners. It’s becoming more apparent every month that our

Iraqi partners are completely capable of handling all the secu-

rity concerns that they are faced with.

As always we thank those Fami-

lies and friends back home that

continue to support us while

we’re deployed. We also wish

everyone back home the very

best. Check out Able’s Face-

book Page for weekly photo

updates.

- CPT Gardner

Red 6 and Red 7 Save the Day

3rd PLT always ready for a photo op.

Able opens an electrical substation for

the people of Tikrit

2nd PLT taking a break from

training the Iraqi Army

Long Lost Brothers?

1SG MALCOLM

COMPANY FIRST SERGEANT

CPT GARDNER

COMPANY COMMANDER

Page 4: 1-27 IN Wolfhound April Newsletter

Aloha!

The end of March brings closure to another month here in

Iraq...only three more to go!!! Change of command inventories and

daily operations kept us busy for the most part. CPT Defiori officially

handed control of the company over to CPT Gillick on the 21st. We

would like to thank CPT Defiori for his hard work and leadership. We

are also in the final stages of closing down FOB Dagger and re-uniting

4th Platoon with the rest of the company on April 1st. This is a much

anticipated day and we cannot thank 4th Platoon enough for their sacri-

fice and hard work at FOB Dagger.

However, Borzoi Company’s most significant achievement this

month was taking first place in the Brigade Squad Competition. SSG

Shackleford, SGT Buonya, SGT O’Dell, SPC Gordon, SPC Hernandez,

SPC Sandoval, SPC Wells, SPC Wickens and PFC Walker flew down

to FOB Warhorse and competed in a day-long competition designed to

test their physical fitness, teamwork and ability to perform common

combat related tasks. SSG Shackleford’s squad outperformed the top

two squads from each Battalion across the Brigade, and their overall

score left no doubt of which squad was the best in the Brigade. We

would like to congratulate and thank them for the credit they have

brought to Borzoi Company.

We wish all the friends and families of Borzoi Company our

very best and we thank you for your continued support. We will con-

tinue to post our accomplishments on the Borzoi Company Facebook

Page to keep everyone back home abreast of the great things your Sol-

diers are doing here in Iraq.

Page 4

Company News Commander’s Corner

Check out our Company & Platoon

Facebook Pages!!!

Borzoi Company, 1-27 IN, 2 SBCT

1st Platoon, Borzoi Company, 1-27 IN

2nd Platoon, Borzoi Company, 1-27 IN

3rd Platoon, Borzoi Company, 1-27 IN

MGS & HQ still have not joined the

Facebook revolution...

We will never forget. . .

Page 5: 1-27 IN Wolfhound April Newsletter

Commander’s Corner

Page 5

Aloha to all Coldsteel Family members from the Bayji Oil Refinery!

This month has presented Coldsteel with its own set of unique challenges as

we near the end of our mission here at the Bayji Oil Refinery (BOR). There was

some unrest at the end of February as an attack at the Refinery brought it into the

limelight. The men of Coldsteel worked hand-in-hand with their Iraqi Security Force

counterparts to quickly bring the

situation under control. Coldsteel

gained a newfound respect and a

high level of confidence in the

Iraqi Security Forces’ (ISF) ability

to react quickly under pressure and

utilize their resources. Working

together as a team, Coldsteel and

the ISF put a swift end to any

threat posed to the security of the

Bayji Oil Refinery and set condi-

tions to allow refinery activities to

return to almost full productivity.

Amidst the excitement, the men of Coldsteel still managed to find the energy to cele-

brate several promotions and additions to the Coldsteel Family. Additions to the

Coldsteel ranks include the new births to the Family of SGT Toribio Gurrola. Con-

gratulations to the proud new father and

his Family! Special congratulations go out

to SSG Vasquez for being selected for

promotion to Sergeant First Class. As we

welcome new members of Coldsteel to the

Family, we also say a fond farewell to our

XO, 1LT John Bockstanz, as he leaves for

Hawaii. 1LT Bockstanz will be traveling

back to Hawaii in order to set our battalion

up for success when we return. 1LT Bock-

stanz served a critical role as the Executive

Officer with honor and also as the Com-

mander when the time came. 1LT Bock-

stanz leaves behind a large role to fill as he was involved in virtually every aspect of

daily activities here at the BOR. With that in mind, Coldsteel welcomes his replace-

ment, 1LT Allen Rooney, as a new member of the esteemed Coldsteel Family. He is

highly motivated and ready to start work up here at the BOR to give our loved ones

the best support possible.

As activity starts to pick up here in

anticipation of our incoming part-

ners, we’ll keep all of you back

home updated with our plans. For

now, our concentration remains on

setting up our replacements for suc-

cess so that they can close out Iraq

with honor and dignity. We miss

you all and will be home soon. It

has been and will continue to be my

greatest honor to serve with your

loved ones. I look forward to meet-

ing you in a few months.

CPT Morinaga

Coldsteel 6

2ND PLATOON PREBRIEFS BEFORE A PATROL

JOINT SECURITY WITH THE IRAQI ARMY

GROUP PHOTO AFTER ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL MISSION

THE OIL PROTECTION FORCE BRIEFS ARMY

LEADERS ON PLANS TO INCREASE SECURITY AT

THE BAYJI OIL REFINERY

Page 6: 1-27 IN Wolfhound April Newsletter

Page 6

Watch for Upcoming Issues:

May 2011– S4

June 2011– S6

Commander’s Corner

An integral part of the Wolfhounds, the

Battalion Medical Platoon has done a

great job supporting the Soldiers of 1-27

IN during combat and other day-to-day

operations. The hard-working medics

and officers run the Battalion Aid Station,

diagnose and treat Soldiers during sick

call, and have provided care to the casual-

ties the Battalion has sustained in combat

during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Op-

eration New Dawn. In addition, the Bat-

talion Medical Platoon has taught a num-

ber of Combat Lifesaver Courses to the

Soldiers of 1-27 IN, spreading their

wealth of knowledge to the Battalion at

large to ensure combat casualties receive

prompt and proper care. The hard-

working medics of 1-27 IN have made

sure the members of the battalion remain

medically fit for duty and their hard work

is appreciated by all as the Battalion

looks forward to the end of its deploy-

ment.

COL Gunther Hsue— Battalion Medical Provider

MAJ Timothy Hoover— Battalion Physician’s Assistant

SFC George Koranyi— Medical Platoon Sergeant

SGT Luis Barrionuevo— Health Care Sergeant

SGT Steven Pham— Health Care Sergeant

SGT Benjamin Dang— TAC Medic

SGT Yasir Ortiz— Line Company Medic

SGT Adam Costello— Line Company Medic

SPC Joseph Shcumacher— Health Care Specialist

PFC Stephen Harrell— Mortar Platoon Medic

PFC Alan Newcomer— Scout Platoon Medic

PFC Joshua Souders— Health Care Specialist

PFC Lucas Gabriel— Line Company Medic

SPC Robert Kinne— Line Company Medic

PFC Michael Devries— Line Company Medic

SPC Matthew Stanley— Line Company Medic

SPC Christopher Horton— Line Company Medic

SPC Christopher Page— Line Company Medic

PV2 Shawn McCarthy— Line Company Medic

SPC Jordan Vigus— Line Company Medic

PFC Brian Guzman— Line Company Medic

SGT Keith Severin— Line Company Medic

SPC Michael Skirikanich— Line Company Medic

SPC Joe Lorenz— Line Company Medic

Above: The 1-27 IN Battalion Aid Station on

COB Speicher.

Above: PFC Joshua Souders examines a pa-

tient during routine sick call.

Left: SGT Keith

Severin prior to going

on a mission with C

Company, 1-27 IN.

Above: SGT Luis Barrionuevo with a simulated casualty

during medical training outside the Battalion Aid Station.

Life in the Medical Platoon