Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Issue 121 Feb. 22, 2013

‘Warhorse’ arrives at PinonStory and photos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch 2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

PINON CANYON MANUEVER SITE, Colo. – High intensity

combat training began for Soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, after they moved to Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Feb. 19 - 23 in preparation for a month-long field training exercise.

As Soldiers arrived, their vehicles were staged in a marshalling area, they were assigned sleeping tents, additional vehicles were off-loaded from railcars and they received mandatory classes before moving to their assigned training site.

“As the brigade arrives at Pinon Canyon, we are replicating the procedures that we would follow as we enter a combatant theater using reception, staging, onward movement and integration training,” said Master Sgt. Phillip Cornell, brigade master gunner, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd BCT.

Units will have time, resources and personnel to conduct a variety of training ranging from offensive and defensive maneuvers to stability operations during the month-long training.

“The units are in a crawling, walk stage,” said Capt. Luke Bowers, deputy current operations officer, HHT. “When they leave they should be at a brisk walk or a nearly running phase. Companies should be effective in connecting their

Soldiers of 2nd BCT off load M1A1 Abrams Tanks, M3A3 Bradley fighting vehicles and M113 armored personnel carriers off rail carts at the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Feb. 21. Soldiers from across the brigade worked together to safely move one hundred and four vehicles in under four hours.

Sgt. Danielle Dye, multichannel transmission systems operator maintainer and Spc. Reynold Studler, cable system installer, both from Company B, 2STB, pound grounding stakes for a satellite terminal at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Feb. 19.

operations and mission essential task list.”

Bowers said he knows the units will have obstacles to overcome.

“Units will have to be self-sustaining and have a general understanding of the mission, the intent and be able to accomplish that within the boundaries provided,” said Bowers.

Communicating orders quickly and concisely to convey the intent and not be reliant on always having the means or robust communications systems is essential, said Bowers.

For many of the junior leaders, this is the first time operating away from counter insurgency operations, which have been used to fight the war on terror for the past ten years.

“A lot of junior leaders

have not done many of these tactical tasks,” said Cornell. “The only time they have done them was during initial training, basic officer and noncommissioned officer courses or a professional school. This is an opportunity for leaders to actually get down on the ground, execute these tactical

tasks, take away lessons learned and go back to Fort Carson with knowledge that will drive our onward training into the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. and preparation to enter the central command area of operations.”

Warhorse PridePage 2 Issue 121 Feb. 22, 2013

Story and photos by Sgt. Matt Waymire2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

‘Lonestar’ engages communityTRINIDAD, Colo. – The air was

cold but spirits were warm when Soldiers from the 2nd STB met

with Trinidad city council members to strengthen the relationship between Fort Carson and Southern Colorado at Trinidad City Hall, Feb. 20.

“Warhorse” Brigade is conducting a month-long training exercise at nearby Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site and meeting with local coucilmen is one of many engagements planned.

“Councilmen and other elected officials in Trinidad have a desire for increased partnership and to really know what Fort Carson does and how they can assist in our mission,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Mouer, commander, 2nd STB. “It’s invaluable for the American community to see their soldiers and to see their investment dollars going into their military.”

A common point throughout the discussions was the amount of patriotism in the local area.

“Trinidad and Las Animas County are very patriotic,” said retired Marine Col. Louis Simpleman, city council member. “We have over 1,700 veterans just within the county and it’s over 10 percent of our population and they support all of the

military.”The council members told Soldiers why

they thought it was important for them to give back.

“People understand the need to train our Soldiers,” said Simpleman. “We owe them that much, to give them opportunity when they go to war to come back alive.”

Mouer spoke with Simpleman about the importance of Trinidad and Fort Carson’s future efforts.

“He’s very interested in gaining further insight on that progress and where Trinidad

can help Fort Carson with its readiness and training,” said Mouer.

With increased visits, both parties hope to further build the good neighbor initiative.

“I think these are the kind of opportunities that are important,” said Mouer.

Through mid-March, the “Warhorse” Brigade plans to engage the local population by visiting schools and hosting a community day that includes a viewing of training and static displays.

Lt. Col. Joseph Mouer, commander, 2nd STB, speaks with retired Marine Col. Louis Simpleman, city council member, during a meet and greet at Trinidad City Hall, Feb. 20. “Lonestar” Soldiers are working to foster a better relationship with the city of Trinidad.

‘Comanche’ Company trains for Pinon

Soldiers of “Comanche” Company, 2STB conduct manual breaching operations in preperation for future training at Pinon Canyon on Fort Carson, Feb. 7.

Photos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Warhorse PridePage 3 Issue 121 Feb. 22, 2013

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Sgt. Kyle Iverson, combat engineer, Compnay C, 2nd STB, releases an RQ-11B Raven during certifications on Fort Carson, Colo., Feb. 7. Raven operators relayed information to engineers conducting breach operations.

Spc. Eric Robinson, infantryman, Company B, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., tightens a screw on the tail section of a RQ-11B Raven on Fort Carson, Feb. 7. Before launching an RQ-11B for flight, all sections must be verified and visually checked that they are functioning properly.

From left, Sgt. Malcolm Evans, armor crewman, Company C, 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., Sgt. Luis Pellot, infantryman, Company A, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., and Sgt. Kyle Iverson, combat engineer, Company C, 2nd STB, look on as Spc. Eric Robinson, infantryman, Company B, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., verifies the calibrations are correct between a computer system and an RQ-11B Raven, on Fort Carson, Colo., Feb. 7.

‘Raven’ certifications are a ‘GO’

Soaring through the air, an RQ-11B Raven, operated by soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, gathers video

and snapshot photos of training, to provide a different perspective of breaching operations to the commander of Company C, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd BCT.

Soldiers from across the brigade, with the help of “Comanche” soldiers, conducted Raven recertification training using the small unmanned aircraft system on Fort Carson, Colo., Feb. 7.

“The purpose of the training was to take our already qualified Raven controllers, and get them current on the system so they can fly down in Pinon Canyon,” said Staff Sgt. Bryon Conkling, air traffic controller, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd STB.

For many of the soldiers, this is the first time flying the Raven in the states.

The operators recently installed the mod-two chip, said Conkling. This new chip is designed to allow controllers the opportunity to fly in the states, where the mod-one chip only allowed flights overseas.

Working the Raven system takes teamwork.“Two people make up a Raven team,” said

Spc. Ryan Zanni, water treatment specialist, Company A, 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd BCT. “One person throws the Raven and operates the laptop, which tracks the position,

speed, altitude and battery life. The other person operates the ground control station.”

The system plays a key part during training and on the battlefield.

“I believe it is very essential to commanders,” said Conkling. “It gives them an overall perspective of what is going on around them. It’s a recon tool; it’s a training

tool.”The soldiers conducting the training knew

the training helped them improve.“I enjoy using the Ravens,” said Zanni. “It

is something that is challenging and it makes you push yourself to stay current and always do better.”

With the training coming right before a major field training exercise, the instructors made it clear what the intent of the training was.

“We want them familiarized with the equipment, so when it comes time to actually throw (the Ravens) and do missions they are ready to go at any time,” said Conkling.

When asked what Zanni wanted to take away from the training, he said “I want to make sure I am always current in the training, the best I can be at my job and prepared for future operations.”

Spc. Ryan Zanni, water treatment specialist, Company A, 204th BSB, installs a computer chip for an RQ-11B Raven during certifications on Fort Carson, Colo., Feb 7.

Warhorse PridePage 4 Issue 121 Feb. 22, 2013

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:ruth.a.pagan2.mil@mail.mil

Col. Omar Jones IV........................2nd BCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen....2nd BCT CSMMaj. Chris Maestas.................................................PAO OICStaff Sgt. Andrew Porch..................................PAO NCOICStaff Sgt. Ruth Pagan.........................Layout and DesignStaff Sgt. Andrew Porch............................................Editor

Warhorse Pride

Capt. Scott Krasko (above), outgoing commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Compnay, 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg. relinquishes command to Capt. Nicholas Barwikowski during a change of command ceremony on Fort Carson, Feb. 13.

Change of commands across the brigade

Capt. Nathan White (above and below) outgoing commander, Forward Support Company, 1st Bn, 67th Armor Reg., relinquishes command to Capt. Michael Bunch on Fort Carson, Colo., Feb 13.

Capt. John Taylor (above and right), outgoing commander, Company A, 204th BSB, relinquishes command to Capt. Jonathan Nagle, during a change of command ceremony on Fort Carson, Feb. 14.

Photos by Staff Sgt. Ruth Pagan2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

3-16 FARDyanne Beckman.........................................................526-1635dyanne.m.beckman.civ@mail.mil

1-67 ARValerie Mansapit...........................................................524-1476valerie.j.mansapit.civ@mail.mil

204th BSBBarbara Young...............................................................526-4172barbara.a.young.civ@mail.mil

2-8 INUrsula Pittman...........................................................526-0727ursula.t.pittman.civ@mail.mil 2 STBSpc. Morgan Madrick..............................................503-2602morgan.a.madrick.mil@mail.mil

Find us on Facebook at:http://www.facebook.com/2bct4id

2nd BCTValarie Adams............................................................524-4797valarie.a.adams.civ@mail.mil

1-10 CAVFrancy Avizu...............................................................526-1946francy.avizu.civ@mail.mil

FRSA Information

Family Readiness GroupPage 5 Issue 121 Feb. 22, 2013

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23 24 25 26 27 28“Stand up or Shut Open Mic Comedy Night” @ Thunders & Buttons II8:30 p.m.

The RIP Improv @ The Milibo Art Theater8:00 p.m.

Spring Fling @ The Citidel Mall1:00 p.m.

Cartooning for Kid @ Sand Creek Library Branch1:30 p.m.

Chef’s Gala and Silent Auc-tion @ Antlers Hilton5:00 p.m.

Wine and Cheese Dinner @ The Margarita at Pinecreek6:30 p.m.

Feedinf Fest Tour @ The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center4:00 p.m.

Blood Drive @ East Library10:00 a.m.

Stay and Play Storytime Chrildren’s Program @Fountain Library Branch10:30 a.m.

Lunch & A Look at the Gardens @ The Garden of the Gods11:30 a.m.

Sumerian Records Battle of the Bands @ The Black Sheep5:00 p.m.

Kids Karaoke @ Zodiac Venue and Bar2:00 p.m.

Mother-Daughter Book Club @ East Library4:00 p.m.

R&R Military & Veterans Monthky Music Jam @ Stargazers Theater and Event Center7:00 p.m.

Snuggle-up Storytime @ East Library7:00 p.m.

Youth Job Fair @ Double-Tree Hotel 11:00 a.m.

Mad Scientist: Dinosaurs and Fossils @ Fountain Library Branch3:00 p.m.

Better Opportunities for Single SoldiersPage 6 Issue 121 Feb. 22, 2013