Download - DEC frg letter
1st BSTB - 1st BCT Camp Ar Ramadi Iraq
CONTACT INFORMATION
REAR DETACHMENT
CPT MIKE RICCITIELLO
SSG ANTONIO ESPARZA
FRG LEADERS
Family Readiness Support Assistant
Crystal Cavalier
Office: 910-396-5812
HHC FRG LDR: JESSICA BURT
A CO FRG LDR: ROCHELLE HALL
B CO FRG LDR: LAURA FUSZ
C CO FRG LDR: ANNA GARDEL
Devil Strike Dispatch
Warmest holiday greetings from Al Anbar! Another newsletter brings one another month of tremendous accomplishment and achievement by your Paratrooper here in Al Anbar. We are in the midst of partnering at every level across every function in this bat-talion with our counterpart units from the 1st and 7th Iraqi Army units. To say that your Paratrooper is busy is an understatement. We split time between Camps Fallujah and Mejiid and our units are moving beyond con-ducting training to actu-ally participating in combined operations. A Company taught engi-neers from the 7th Iraqi Army on the proper techniques and proce-dures to construct vehi-cle checkpoints. SSG Polk, SGT Walker, SGT Johnson and crew did a superb job and now 2nd Platoon is conduct-ing a partnered opera-tion with the 7th IA En-gineers to build 3 more vehicle checkpoints. Our S2 section of SFC Marshall, SSG Sanderson and SGT Ensor recently completed training with the 1st Iraqi Army intelligence battalion, Sapper 1, under 1LT Curley and SFC Johnson is partnered with the 1st Iraqi Engineer Regiment and Sapper 2, under 2LT Pennell and SFC Graves is partnered with the 7th Iraqi Engi-neer Regiment. Our weapons intelligence teams, under CPT Jenkins and SSG Kelly recently completed training with Iraqi police forces. Maintainers, under the guidance of SGT Lesperance are hard at work with the Maintenance Regiment of the 1st Iraqi Army and keeping us together at Camp Fallujah is our Battalion TAC, under the guidance of CPT Yerkey and SFC Widhalm from the 18th EOD.
This news letter brings me to a bitter-sweet aspect this month and that was the change of command ceremonies we con-ducted for Alpha Company and Charlie Com-pany. Captain Brandon Perdue relinquished the Sapper guidon to CPT Kurt Zortman on 16 December 2009 here on FOB Ramadi and Captain Rodney Lipscomb transitioned command to Captain Jason Gardel at FOB Ramadi on 18 December 2009. I want to personally thank Captains Perdue and
Lipscomb for their su-perb leadership, dedica-tion and devotion to their Paratroopers and their stellar contribu-tions to our mission success here in Al An-bar. Best of luck to both of you and your families! We welcome Captains Kurt Zortman and Jason Gardel to the Devil Strike team and know that their transition to Sapper 6 and Coyote 6 will be a challenging and rewarding experience.
I close by thanking you to allow your Paratroopers to spend the holiday season here with his/her deployed family. Your sac-rifice, dedication and commitment to our mis-sion is a huge reason behind our each and every success and I sincerely thank you. Please know that families, friends, and loved ones are always in our thoughts and we truly wish you all the best during this holiday sea-son. Thank you again for all that you do. ATW! LTC Douglas Stitt DS6
From the Commander’s Desk
"The DEVIL STRIKE FRG is for the benefit of the FRG members only and is established exclusively for charitable purposes and to provide support to Sol-diers and family member as the Soldiers and families adapt to Army life. It is not a business and is not being run to generate profits. It is not an instrumentality of the United States Government." "The inclusion of some unofficial information in this FRG newsletter has not increased the costs to the Government, in accordance with DOD 4525.8-M."
1 8 D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 9 V O L U M E 3 , I S S U E 6
INSIDE
THE ISSUE
Command Team 1-2
Headquarters Co 2-3
Alpha Company 3-4
Bravo Company 5-6
Charlie Company 6-7
Miscellaneous
Pictures
8
SPC Bolmer and the maintence platoon instruct their Iraqi counterparts on Military vehicles. As you can see, it is work that requires
great skill and focus.
HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Iraq. The past month has been an extremely busy one for the Para-troopers of HHC and the run up to New Years promises no respite from the workload, but in true Airborne fashion the Troopers are not only accomplishing all their missions, but are excelling in all they do. In the past 30 days the company has established partnered operations with disparate elements from across the battalion with the 1
st Iraqi Army Division
at Camp Fallujah. The team at Fallujah, which fluctuates in size from 10-40 on any given day, is living in more austere conditions (although the food is better) and are working alongside their Iraqi counterparts every day. SGT Douglas Lesperance, SPC Nicholas Bolmer, SPC Brian Topolski, SPC Matthew Syverson and SPC William Fleming have been lending a hand to the 1
st Iraqi Maintenance Battalion
in repairing dozens of vehicles that have been out of com-mission for months. SGT Nicole Wadlington and PFC Ed-
gar Rodriguez are ensuring that the team at Fallujah is able to communicate with the battalion. This past month we had six outstanding Soldiers join the ranks of the Non-Commissioned Officer Corps: SGT
Nicole Wadlington from the S6, SGT Martin Delaney and SGT Daniel Burt from the Personal Security Detachment, and SGT Jared Rupe and SGT Karl Killerud from the Special Weapons Ex-ploitation Team. Congratulations to these excellent Troopers and their fami-lies we expect more great things from them in the future. The First Sergeant and I would like to thank all the families for the amazing support that the Paratroopers receive every day. We are truly grateful for all
that you do in support of the company and the Paratroop-ers of HHC. ATW! CPT Bob Yerkey HHC Commander
P A G E 2 V O L U M E 3 , I S S U E 6
SPC Hager takes his reenlistment oath given by LT Nicole Corum
HHC “From the Foxhole” Article—Strike Operations (S3 Shop) My name is SPC Lampke. I am currently serving as the 1BSTB TOC RTO. My main job is to ensure the communication flow between the command element and the different units that travel around the area of Operations. It is a busy job, tracking as units go from FOB to FOB, carrying supplies or conducting training with our partnered Iraqi army brothers. I am part of a team that is focused on training and ensuring that the Iraqi army, our allies in this on War on Terror and Counter-Insurgency, are ready to face the challenge of developing them-selves into a self-sufficient, professional and dedicated military service. It is my mission to assist and coordinate this effort for the Soldiers tasked with providing this training. I have been in the
Outgoing Commanders: Brandon Perdue (A) and Rodney Lipscomb (C) Incoming Commanders: Kurt Zortman (A) and Jason Gardel (C)
Alpha and Charlie Company Commanders
P A G E 3 V O L U M E 3 , I S S U E 6
The soldiers of Alpha Company continue to stay mis-sion focused throughout the holiday season. All three route clearance platoons are on the road and supporting the Brigade by paving the way through the night for ma-neuver Battalions and logistics convoys to have safe travel to their destinations. We have continued to move towards pushing out our route clearance pack-ages to Al Asad and other locations to cover down as the Marines continue to leave Iraq. 2
nd Platoon will
soon move to Al Asad and 1
st has run missions out of
Fallujah spreading our sol-diers throughout Al Anbar province. Additionally, the route clearance platoons have been conducting street level engagements at Iraqi Police and Army stations on their routes, checking on manning, training, equipment and morale of the Iraqi sol-
diers and police officers to see how we can help them ac-complish their mission. Aside from conducting route clearance the platoons have started to move more towards partnership with their Iraqi counterparts. Recently SSG Polk, SGT Walker, SGT
Johnson and SPC Baker went to Al Asad to give a class on constructing, sup-porting and running a traffic control point to soldiers of the 7
th Iraqi Army Division.
This was a rewarding experi-ence for the 4 soldiers and a great partnering event for us and our Iraqi counterparts. Being deployed over the holidays is hard but morale is still up! 1
st Platoon and 3
rd
Platoon both played in the Thanksgiving Turkey bowl, beating the other Company’s teams and playing each other for the championship.
1st Platoon claimed the Turkey bowl championship barely
ALPHA COMPANY NEWSLETTER— “ROCK STEADY!”
1BSTB for a short period of time, since I was moved over from 2-504 Para-chute Infantry Regiment. As an Infantryman, I understand the hardship of training and the importance of teamwork and pride. I see it everyday, here in the 1BSTB. I watch as elements go to various locations and teach the Iraqi Army different skills that they will need to carry on when we are gone. Skills such as communications, maintenance and analysis that will help them shoot, move and communicate while defending their country. I am proud to know that the job I perform, while seemingly small, al-lows this training to be conducted. If someone needs to get to the flight line with equipment, I and my fellow RTO’s get them there. If someone needs to be picked up, it is us that provides the means to do so. We strive every-day to improve the quality of support and professionalism that is necessary to achieve mission success. Here in Ramadi, life is pretty good. We have a good dining facility, 2
gyms and very nice MWR facility. Our unit has even gone to the lengths of providing us with an internet café type room where the Soldiers can use the internet or call home using the phones. Everything is within walking distance here on this post, but even still, we have a shuttle service to get Soldiers from point A to B. I am proud to be a member of this organization and proud to see this unit going about it’s business. It is the work of people dedicated to their country and to their fellow Soldiers. It is fulfilling to know that I am part of a unit that takes pride in it’s mission. In closing, I would like to say that being a member of the 1BSTB and the 1BCT is an honor. I feel that we are doing something that will help this world be a better place. We could not do this without the support of the FRG. You have been the heart and soul of these Soldiers over here and have done everything to ensure that we are loved. From the various care packages to the letters from children we have never met, everything that is sent is a token that reminds us that there are people that love us and that we have a home to get back to. Thank you very much. ATW! SPC David Lampke S3 Shop
The platoons of Alpha Company are truly a band of brothers. Here, our first platoon have
gathered together to pose for a picture.
SPC David Lampke
etching out 3rd
platoon…I hear a rematch is already in the works though. Alpha Com-pany was also proud to promote 5 soldiers, 1
st Lieutenant Nathan Curley, SSG Mi-
chael Hamilton, Specialist Lee Fobes, Specialist Christopher Kazar and Specialist Andrew Sperling. We look forward to the road ahead and appreciate everyone’s sup-port, especially during the holiday season. Please keep the care packages coming and please keep our Soldiers in your thoughts and prayers as you celebrate the holi-days. We would like to Welcome CPT Zortman to the company. He accepted com-mand of Alpha Company on 16 December and now carries the title as the new Sap-per 6.
Finally, in closing I would like to thank each and every one of you for the love and support ya’ll have shown Alpha
Company over the past 14 months during my command. I’ve enjoyed getting to know each of you and I wish you good
luck and God speed.
“Sappers lead the way, all the way!”
CPT Brandon Perdue
A Co Commanding
P A G E 4 V O L U M E 3 , I S S U E 6
Bravo Company: The Black Dagger Bulletin 15 DEC 09: Ar Ramadi, Iraq. B Company’s fourth month in Iraq saw us celebrate the Thanksgiving holidays at bases flung across Al Anbar, without our families back home but here with our Army family. The holi-days, while difficult away from friends and family, are also a reminder to us of how quickly the time is passing and just how much the company has accomplished since we arrived here in Iraq. This month alone has been very busy for the company. The TUAS platoon moved bases, requiring an incredible amount of coordination, planning, and work from the entire pla-toon, from platoon leader and platoon sergeant to the most junior para-trooper. They did a great job with it, though, minimizing down time and maximizing their flight support to the Brigade Combat Team. As Marines SIGINT elements here decrease, out SIGINT platoon just gets busier in supporting the battalion and BCT. The HUMINT platoon’s leadership had the opportunity to conduct battlefield circulation this month as well, getting out to see all of their teams at the various outposts from which they sup-port battalions within the BCT. The last month has seen a lot of exciting moments for our paratroop-ers, personally and professionally. SSG Vasquez and SGT Shumsky were both promoted and are to be congratulated. SGT Bauer and SPC Atchison each decided to reenlist and continue their service in the Army. We also welcomed a new
trooper, PV2 Christopher Morgan, to the B Company team, where he will be serving as an unmanned aerial vehicle operator. Finally, CW3 Eric Eberlein and his wife Kate welcomed a baby boy, Matthias, into their family. From the commander and 1SG, thank you once again to the friends and family of Bravo Company back home, and thanks for the support that you provide our paratroopers every day. Whether by mail, email, or phone, we see every day how much that support means to them, and know that they are missed and loved back there. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays from all of us here at Ramadi. ATW! CPT Bill Fusz and 1SG Dallas Thomas Bravo Company Command Team
Greetings and Happy Holidays from Camp Ramadi. With a third of the deployment already under our belts, operations have been running smoothly around here. Time continues to rapidly pass us by as we remain fo-cused on delivering mission critical information to the bri-gade. Headquarters platoon is comprised of soldiers with a diverse skill set which collectively coordinate and maintain Military Intelligence operations. The staff that works in Op-erations ensures troops get to where their mission leads them and informs the command team of daily activities while Supply keeps the company stocked with critical items needed to carry out the mission. Inter-Service coop-eration proves beneficial as we have been able to inte-grate our own skills with their missions. As for my own duties as a 35T (Military Intelligence Systems Maintainer/Integrator), I work in the maintenance shop preparing and fixing electronic equipment used to carry out mission critical operations. We also get exposure to new equipment used by Marines and assist them in troubleshooting their systems. Weekly training keeps us
proficient on the systems we maintain and up to date on new technology. Additionally, w e a r e tasked to support op-erations in mainta in ing 24 hour com-munications at the com-mand post. When we are not working on a mission, off-duty hours are spent taking full advantage of the recreational activities available to us. We stay physically fit by working out at one of the two gyms or running the roads that circle the camp. Raven field gets put to use on the weekends
BRAVO COMPANY—HEADQUARTERS PLATOON UPDATE
P A G E 5 V O L U M E 3 , I S S U E 6
Headquarters, Bravo Company occasionally makes time for sports related physical fitness. This morning’s sport was dodge ball
Members of our Unmanned Ariel Surveillance
Platoon hard at work
SSG Sanderson communicates with Iraqi leaders during a break from training
Malo (Samoan for Hello), well this is a bitter sweet month for me and the Coyotes. This month I say good-bye as the Charlie Company Commander and the Coyotes welcome a new face as their Company Commander. Your Troopers have been extremely busy over the past month. We began this past 30 days by partnering with our Iraqi Army brethren; we trained with them on high frequency radio systems. We were able to live with them, eat with them, and work side by side on a radio system that we do not use that often but are very prevalent here in the Iraqi Army. It was a great training event. Over the past month our main focus has been the change of command. The change of command is a very busy time. Being in Iraq and having only about two weeks (half the time you normally get) to conduct the entire thing only adds more stress and pressure. We have to layout and account for EVERY BIT of our equipment, not once but twice. Once for the new commander coming through and
the second time for the new commander to see. This takes a while considering we have so much equipment- about 60 million dollars worth. Once he sees all the equipment, he signs for it and takes “ownership” then signs it down to the user level. It is a very time consum-ing. Then comes the hard part for me; that is handing the company over and saying goodbye. This is a very chal-lenging time for the company and I; I could not have done it without help and dedication of the troopers. There are
two key people who worked ex-tra hard during this past month, SGT Hiatt and PFC Dixon, I want to give them my most sincere thanks, I could not have done it without them. These two troopers put in so many extra
P A G E 6 V O L U M E 3 , I S S U E 6
Charlie Company— “Coyote Chronicles”
SGT Crouch and PFC Casey posing with their Iraqi comrade after training and living with the
Iraqi Army for a couple of weeks.
with organized sporting events such as ultimate frisbee, flag football, and dodgeball. This is followed up in the eve-ning with a cookout of hot dogs and hamburgers. I can bring the movie theater to my laptop with new release mov-ies purchased from the Friends Shop. Of course the day would not be complete without spending time at the SPAWAR facility making phone calls or utilizing the com-puters to stay in touch with friends and family back home. With the holidays upon us, camp events help to pass the time. From the holiday feast at Thanksgiving to the meeting of the New England Patriots cheerleaders, there is always something going on to boost morale. Attending
karaoke night under the stars, playing ping pong and bil-liards at the MWR, or just drinking coffee at Green Beans improves cohesion amongst the platoon. Seeing soldiers come and go, R&R is also on our minds and a key motiva-tional force in our daily tasks. Mail day is always looked forward to as well. With that said, we remain ready for what lies ahead and will continue to provide the brigade vital intelligence throughout the deployment. Also, on behalf of the HQ pla-toon I would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season! ATW! SPC Bob Summers
Birthdays PFC Haddix (11 Dec)
Congratulations
To SPC Charpentier for winning the BN Trooper of the month board!
Welcome new Charlie Company Paratroopers
PV2 Lockett and PV2 Shelton
Promotions
PFC Herrera to SPC SPC Negron to SGT SGT Spivey to SSG 2LT Oglesbee to 1LT
Re-enlisted SSG Spivey
A rare picture of the company in formation, you can almost see 1SG
Bellomy with a hint of a smile. I will miss him!
V O L U M E 3 , I S S U E 6 P A G E 7
long hours and it paid off. Thank you so much. This change of command is bitter sweet for Charlie
Company and me. On one hand they are getting an out-standing incoming command team with CPT Jason Gardel and his wife, Anna. On the other hand I must say goodbye and move on. My time as Coyote 6 is up and it has been an amazing ride. My wife, Rhea and I can't thank you enough for entrusting us with these outstanding paratroopers over the past two years. The best part of this job is working with these fine Americans, they are the definition of professional and dedicated. The sacrifices you all make as military families do not go unnoticed. You all are always in our prayers and thoughts. Jason and Anna I wish you the best.
Airborne! All The Way CPT Rodney Lipscomb and 1SG Bill Bellomy Charlie Company Commander and First Sergeant
LTC Stitt, 1LT Pope, SGT Greene, SGT Crouch, and PFC Hudson handing out certificates of training for
our Iraqi Army training event. Good job guys!
Charlie Company “From the Foxhole” Article Written by SGT Crouch
Conversation rules the nation. Iraq has come a long way since the beginning of the global war on terrorism; they are more independent, safer, and professional. The American Forces plays a significant role in prepar-ing them to lead the way for the future. I, along with a few other members from Charlie Company and the Battalion have been asked by the Marine MiTT TEAM to train the 7
th Division and
the 1st Division Iraqi Army
units. The teams are made up of about five Sol-diers who have the knowl-edge on different communi-cation equipment. The training for the Iraqi soldiers last for about ten days. The first day of training consist of theory of High Frequency Radios which was the focal point of the exer-cise, the second day was wave propagation, the third day was going over the many different types of antenna that
are most commonly used and their characteristics. At the start of day four was the introduction to the Harris 5800
HF radio. The Soldiers had this radio for some time but was unaware of how to op-erate them because they came without manuals. So that’s where the American Forces took the initiative to train the Iraqi Army thor-oughly by showing them how to enter different pre-sets into the radio, take safety precautions, and pro-gram the radios with the computer software. By the end of this training the Iraqi Army was very impressed with the training they re-ceived. To thank us for our kind ways the cooks of the IA prepared a nice meal which consisted of fish,
chicken, rice, bread and chai.
SGT Crouch working with the Iraqi Army on the Harris Radio system
P A G E 8 V O L U M E 3 , I S S U E 6
