T A S K F O R C E C R E E K | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 1 - J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2

WITH THE HOLIDAY SEASON BEHIND US, TASK FORCE CREEK PACKED UP AND LEFT PAKTIYA PROVINCE IN JANUARY, 2012. 1-279 SOLDIERS

MOVED TO NEARBY GHAZNI PROVINCE IN ORDER TO SIMULTANEOUSLY FACILITATE SUCCESSFUL FUTURE OPERATIONS OF UNITS TO FOLLOW

US INTO THIS KEY STRATEGIC REGION, AS WELL AS TO CONTINUE TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR OUR RETURN HOME TO FAMILY AND LOVED

ONES. THE SOLDIERS OF TASK FORCE CREEK HAVE TAKEN ON OUR NEW MISSION IN OUR NEW HOME WITH THE SAME EFFORT AND FORTITUDE

AS WE HAVE SHOWN THROUGHOUT THIS DEPLOYMENT. OUR SOLDIERS KNOW THAT THE END IS NEAR - BUT CONTINUE THE GOOD FIGHT

UNTIL OUR LAST SOLDIER IS ON THE PLANE, HEADED HOME

tf creek COMMANDER December and January were extremely busy months for the Soldiers of Task Force Creek as the Battalion conducted Relief in Place and Transfer of Authority with members of the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry from Alaska and departed Paktiya province for a new mission. The Task Force leaves behind many Afghan friends and counterparts who assisted us in making Paktiya a safer and more prosperous place. We wish them the best as they continue their efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan.

The Task Force is now operating in Ghazni Province and has been assigned to Task Force White Eagle, a Polish Mechanized Brigade securing the province. We are very fortunate and honored to have an opportunity to serve with our Coalition brothers from Poland who are under the very capable leadership of Brigadier General Piotr Blazeusz. BG Blazeusz is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and has readily taken in our soldiers as part of his team.

Currently our soldiers are living in and operating in some pretty austere conditions in Ghazni where the snow and low temperatures are ever present. You can be proud of the commitment and accomplishments our soldiers are making as they execute area security operations throughout the province. It will not be long before our soldiers begin to turn over this responsibility and move back to Oklahoma.

“At this time the very first soldiers from Task Force Creek have already made the trip back and are reuniting with their friends and families.”Despite Coalition Force achievements throughout Paktiya province during the month of December three Military Policemen engaged in combat operations with Task Force Creek soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation. I would ask that you pray for the families of SGT Noah Korte, SPC Kurt Kern, and PFC Justin Whitmire, all from the 720th MP Battalion out of Fort Hood TX, who lost their lives in service to their country on December 27th, 2011 in the Ahmadabad District of Paktiya Province. Please keep our soldiers in your thoughts and prayers as we finish this mission and begin our return home.

Movin’ On!Chuck BoozeLTC, INCommanding

csm’sCORNER

The soldiers of Task Force Creek handled themselves like true professionals during this time of transition to their new areas of operation. I am very proud and appreciative of how each company in Task Force Creek came together, put in the long hours, and got the job done. As we move into our last thirty days in Afghanistan, I will be traveling around to each remote build sight the Task Force will be securing, and emphasizing the importance of keeping their focus on the mission in front of them.

Task Force Creek is spread throughout the Ghazni Province, securing COP’s, FOB’s and fire bases as engineer groups work to build living quarters and operation centers for the incom-ing 82nd Airborne arriving at the end of February. This is an important mission for Task Force Creek. The more produc-tive the engineers can be, the better set units from the 82nd Airborne will be to get in the fight.

When we return to Oklahoma in March, I want Task Force Creek to go home with a sense of pride and accomplishment. For the last 8 months Task Force Creek has worked without hesitation, to extinguish insurgent activity in Paktiya Province, and I expect nothing less in Ghazni Province.

CSM Christopher MillerTask Force Creek CSM

tf creek CHAPLAIN

The recent months have marked drastic changes for our task force. As we handed combat operations over to 3-509th in Paktiya, we transitioned to a new mission in Ghazni Province. Add to that, TF Creek conducted the move during harsh Afghanistan winter. Yet even through the unique challenges, TF Creek soldiers did what they do best and drove on. We also celebrated the holidays as best we could, being scattered in so many different locations, knowing that the next holiday season will be with our own families back in the States. At the same time we continue to pray for the families of our fallen heroes. We still miss them as much as ever, but we strive in their memory.

But here we are on the verge of coming home; balancing daily duties with the excitement of the redeployment. For our soldiers and the families back home, now is not the time to let up or drop our guard. Staying productively occupied will provide benefit for us here and our folks back on the home front. However, be sure to help your soldier plan for the homecoming. Make it special. Use the preparations for the homecoming as a means to pass the time.

As your soldier transitions back into life back home, bepatient. Be flexible. Be understanding. The readjustment time does not have to be a negative experience. Talk it out. Let patience win the day. By doing so you create an environment that fosters trust, which in turn will allow your soldier to reclaim a life worth living in light of an often

difficult deployment. You too need to readjust. Be patient with yourself and acknowledge the changes, both good and bad, since your soldier has been gone.

But most importantly, get ready for an awesome homecom-ing! The thought of reuniting with my clan almost makes me euphoric. I appreciate them in ways unimaginable before. While changes have taken place, I am excited to see how my children have grown. I also can’t wait to show my wife how much I appreciate her efforts with the kids, the house, and so many other tasks. But there is still a job to do. “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” ( Colossians 1:11)

And finally, please know that I will continue to be your chap-lain after we come home. If you, your soldier, or your family should need anything, please let me know. You are my mission and I look forward to the privilege of continuing to serveyou. May the Lord bless you and keep you until we meet face to face.

PRO DEO ET PATRIA!

CH (CPT) David Jordan

team LAKOTA CPT CALEB EMDE

1SG WILLIAM UMPHREY

As the deployment in support of Operation Enduring Free-dom draws nearer to a close, Team Lakota has not stopped contributing to the fight. Since Team Lakota transferred authority in Zormat to Team Dog 3-509 PIR we have moved to JCOP Red Hill in Parwan Province. We are currently work-ing for Task Force Maverick (HHBN 1 CD) in the Bagram Security Zone as the Division Reserve. This is a high honor for Team Lakota, to be selected for the Division Reserve, it show CJTF-1 confidence in our abilities to contribute to the fight anywhere, anytime. We will continue this mission as the Divi-sion Reserve until our redeployment.

Over the course of the deployment Team Lakota soldiers have earned many accolades. These accolades come from a hard fought deployment in Paktiya and the relationships that fos-tered a more aggressive and competent ANSF partnered force. Along with those accolades come badges that these soldiers have earned. Team Lakota soldiers were fortunate enough to have the Brigade commander, COL Joel Ward, make the trip from FOB Gamberi to JCOP Red Hill to present and pin these badges on the deserving soldiers chests. Team Lakota had Combat Infantrymen’s Badges, Combat Action Badges, and Combat Medical Badges awarded to soldiers. COL Ward spoke to the soldiers and handed out TF Thunderbird coins to soldiers as well. He conferred what everyone else in CJTF-1 already knows; Team Lakota has done an outstanding job and will return home with their heads held high!

As mentioned earlier, this deployment is drawing closer and closer to being over. Everyone in Team Lakota grows anxious to get home and see their loved ones. That time will come, but until then we must remain vigilant. Team Lakota will con-tinue to maintain a ready status and continue to contribute to the fight here in RC-East.

“Team Lakota has donean outstanding job and will return home with their heads held high!”- COL Joel Ward

COLONEL JOEL WARD [THUNDERBIRD 6] PRESENTS SPC JEREMY RODRIGUEZ WITH A COMBAT ACTION BADGE.

COP security to allow the 668th Engineer’s to build the new COP. 3rd Platoon Bravo Company moved out to COP Qarabagh, not long after 2nd platoon. 3rd Platoon moved along with Task Force MAD DOG, 661st Engineers, to provide security and work with local Afghanistan National Army Soldiers in building up the sight and training the ANA soldiers for future operations. Both platoons moved into sights that had nothing there. Team Buffalo soldiers have been working diligently and aggressively on building up the sights to allow soldiers to move from living out of trucks to force provider tents. These sights are going to be used as Polish and American bases for future operations in Ghazni Province.

Soldiers of Team Buffalo are working long days and nights trying to finish the deployment strong and setting the follow on unit up for success. Team Buffalo has been going strong for the last nine months of the deployment and knows the end is near. Soldiers are working hard and staying focused to make sure that the job is done correctly and everyone makes it home safely.

teamBUFFALO 1LT JOSHUA STARKS

1SG ROBERT HUGGINS

As Team Buffalo starts to close out their deployment in RC-EAST, it is crucial for soldiers to focus and keep working hard to assist the new units coming in. Over the last couple months Team Buffalo soldiers packed their bags and moved to Ghazni Province from their previous location at AFCOP Rahman Kheyl in Paktya Province. At first, Team Buffalo’s mission in the new location was to provide security for the RCP units out of FOB Ghazni. Bravo Company received a mission change and packed their bags and moved out to provide security at two different locations in the Ghazni Province. Preparing the new sights for future operations and units to move in and occupy to continue future operations out of.

“Team Buffalo has been going strong for the last nine months of the deployment and knows the end is near.”Team Buffalo arrived at FOB Ghazni and had to start to prepare for missions right away. Soldiers were up in the morning and working till dark to make sure that the trucks were fully mission capable, before leaving the FOB. 2nd Platoon Bravo Company was the first platoon to move out to their new location. 2nd Platoon moved into COP Waghez along with Task Force Yankee, 668th Engineer’s, to provide

TEAM BUFFALO CONDUCTS A KEY LEADER ENGAGEMENT WITH VILLAGE ELDERS IN THE RAHMAN KHEYL AREA.

teamCRAZYHORSE CPT LUKE KIMBREL

1SG JOE DAY

Team Crazyhorse has played a significant role in the Paktiya Province over the past 8 months. Along with securing COP Herrera, the mission was to provide a combat presence while patrolling the villages in the surrounding areas and minimize threats from insurgents. Team Crazyhorse worked alongside Afghan National Army and Afghan Uniformed Police to complete these missions. Team Crazyhorse and their ISAF partners worked every day to make the Jaji District a safer place for the units to follow.

When Team Crazyhorse found out that they were moving to another site the initial reaction was what you would expect from a group of soldiers that had successfully fought the enemy in one of the most kinetic area of operations in Eastern Afghanistan, they were ready to go home and be with their loved ones. Instead they dug deep and found the strength to continue on and finish strong. During the months of December and January, Team Crazyhorse was in a transition period while the 3-509th IN Battalion moved in a took over operations in and around COP Herrera.

At FOB Ghazni the soldiers ended up having some down time due to the drawn out process of drawing vehicles and equipment for the company. They used this time to get in a few workouts, enjoy the chow hall and do some shopping at the stores that were there. All in all Ghazni was a good experience, but the soldiers of Team Crazyhorse were ready to get back to work.

Most recently Team Crazyhorse was tasked with the mission of providing security for the 10-22nd Engineers while they built up COPS to support operations out of FOB Arian. Here at Arian it is a combined effort with the engineers to erect living quarters, latrines, laundry facilities and basically every-thing needed to sustain operations and improve the quality of life. Since we’ve been here, a much needed chow hall has been built to replace the previous insufficient one and FLOUR has taken over the cooking duties.

Team Crazyhorse is on their final month in country and are working just as hard as the day they go here. The critical work Team Crazyhorse does in their new area of operation will help the incoming 82nd Airborne be better prepared to diminish the insurgent presence in the Ghazni Province.

team OSAGE CPT TRENT DAVENPORT

1SG JAMES BOYER

Team Osage left Dand Patan, Paktiya Province and prepared for a new mission in the Ghazni Province. Logistically this move for a company element can prove to be challenging, but for Team Osage the move was successfully completed and convoy security missions are currently being conducted.

The task of moving Team Osage came with many challenges including a hurdle referred to as “red air”, which restricts movement on the LZ (landing zone). We depend on air sup-port for many aspects of day to day mission tasks that include movement of soldiers, equipment and supplies. The winter months in Afghanistan can bring many days of “red air” and the snow can be measured by the foot. Team Osage soldiers worked countless hours to become operational and conduct convoy security missions in the Ghazni Province.

As we signed for vehicles to conduct missions it was impera-tive our equipment was inspected to ensure the vehicles are safe and without any deficiencies that would put a soldier at risk. Communication equipment for each vehicle had to be inspected and repaired, “It was a tough job to say the least, every truck required key communication components and extensive troubleshooting hours were logged to ensure our vehicle’s communications were operational and reliable” stated Spc. Niklas Frenz of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Soldiers from each platoon would spend every day inspecting our vehicles to ensure we had no key equipment missing and all the Basic Issue Items (BII) were accounted for. BII is the minimum essential items required to place vehicles in operation. If one

item is missing or not operational from the BII list it prevents the vehicle from being used during missions. All the soldiers of Team Osage gave 100% effort in order to get all of these stripped vehicles back to a mission ready status.

As Team Osage prepares to complete their mission here at FOB Ghazni and return to their families, all the hard work performed here will be a great asset to the incoming unit. The new unit will utilize the equipment that Team Osage has prepared for them also the facilities here on FOB Ghazni that our soldiers helped build, maintain and utilize like shower tents, gym and a new chow hall that will be opening on the 1st of March.

We have made countless moves since we began our train up for deployment to include a move to Fort Polk, Louisiana, for a month long training. Team Osage returned to Camp Shelby and prepared for their move to COP Dand Patan in Paktiya Province and our remission to FOB Ghazni in December.

“Team Osage has come together and completed the mission put before them despite any of the challenges or hurdles we faced”, stated 1st Lt. Fargo Woody of Elliot, OK. Our final mission will be the reward for all our hard work and time away from our families. That mission is to make our final move to Oklahoma with a great feeling of accomplishment and a job well done for Team Osage.

TEAM OSAGE ON DISMOUNTED PATROLS AROUND DAND PATAN.

teamSAVAGE MAJ ADAM HEADRICK

1SG BRUCE NICHOLLS

As the 3-509th Infantry Battalion from Ft Richardson, Alaska started moving into FOB Gardez, the soldiers of Team Savage were busy readying themselves for their next mission. They worked tirelessly during the month of December to make sure everything was in order for the move, along with running crucial clearing missions and presence patrols in and around Gardez. Team Savage made numerous connections with locals and gained the trust of their ISAF counterparts in Paktiya, but was ready to take their proud heritage to a new area of operation.

Christmas found Team Savage in good spirits as the mail from family, friends and support organization came in by the truck load. Items included presents, cookies, games and many other luxuries Team Savage hadn’t enjoyed during much of the deployment. By the time the New Year arrive, most of the soldier were in transit and used their time inside the wire to re-connect with their families and treat themselves to some much needed down time.

Team Savage arrived at FOB Ghazni in mid-January and im-mediately went back to work. They worked for weeks receiv-ing equipment and planning out their next mission to COP Arian, in the Ghazni Province. The soldiers of Team Savage along with their new Polish allies are being used as a security element for the 642 Engineers out of Louisiana. The Engineer unit is working to improve the security and living conditions of Forward Operating Bases and Combat Outposts through-out Ghazni Province. Team Savage is working alongside the

engineers to put up tent, dining facilities, and anything else needed to make COP Arian a secure, working home for over 400 soldiers.

The soldiers are working hard and preparing to enter their last month here in Afghanistan. The anticipation of returning home to loved ones can be felt throughout Team Savage, but the mission is still at the forefront of their minds.

SPC JASON BARROW [TEAM SAVAGE MORTAR] PERFORMING FINAL CHECKS AND CALIBRATIONS ON THE 120MM MORTAR SYSTEM.

“Team Savage made numerous connections with locals and gained the trust of their ISAF counterparts in Paktiya, but was ready to take their proud heritage to a new area of operation.”

Operating Base to Forward Operating Base so that other units can begin to improve both the living and working condi-tions for future units, including the Afghan National Army.

Anxious to get home to awaiting family and friends makes everyday a little bit harder than the last. Team Firewalker and everyone here from the Oklahoma National Guard has found their own way to make the days go by as fast as possible. For Team Firewalker, working on trucks for future missions, whether by choice or tasking, has proven to be a universal way to stay occupied. Everyone here knows that soon enough we will be home and back to the lives they left behind nearly a year ago.

teamFIREWALKERAs Team Firewalker closes out their nine-month deployment to Eastern Afghanistan, it is crucial to stay focused. Through the month of December 2011 Team Firewalker soldiers packed their bags and moved west to Ghazni Province from their previous home in Paktiya Province. Our mission in the Ghazni Province was unclear at first but now that our mission is under-way, the importance is very clear. Preparing the new area of operations for future missions and units is the small part that we play in the overall mission to eliminate the insurgent threat in Eastern Afghanistan.

Team Firewalker consists of primarily truck drivers and wheeled vehicle mechanics. With this composition of personnel, we are responsible for the inspection of both new and old vehicles and the parts and equipment needed to ensure the safety of future passengers. Team Firewalker inspects everything from radio cables to screws that hold headlights in place. If any part of a vehicle is not up to mission standards, ineffective or missing, higher commandis informed and the new parts are ordered. Upon the arrival of new parts, they are installed in order to make the vehicle fully mission capable. When everything in the vehicle is determined to be in its proper working order, the vehicle has to be signed for and tested on the routes. These trucks are used to move soldiers of Task Force Creek from Forward

CPT DAVID CLINTON1SG HERBERT TATE

PFC COOK [TEAM FIREWALKER] ENJOYING A PIECE OF PECAN PIE ON THANKSGIVING.SOLDIERS FROM TEAM FIREWALKER GIVING ASSISTANCE TO TEAM SAVAGE IN GARDEZ CITY.

sPC. kIRBY

SPC SMITH [TEAM SAVAGE SNIPER] SHOWS OFF HIS SNIPER RIFLE TO AN AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY SOLDIER BEFORE CLEARING OPERATION.

TEAM SAVAGE COMMANDER MAJOR ADAM HEADRICK CONVERSING WITH AN AFGHAN NATION ARMY SOLDIER AND FRANK [TEAM SAVAGE INTERPRETER].

THE MONTH OF DECEMBER BROUGHT PLENTY OF SNOW IN THE PAKTIYA PROVINCE.

CHILDREN THOUGHOUT THE VILLAGES IN PAKTIYA PROVINCE COME OUT TO GREET TEAM OSAGE WITH SMILES ON THEIR FACES.

THE BEAUTY OF PAKTIYA PROVINCE WAS A WELCOME VIEW FOR SOLDIERS AS THEY WORKED TO MAKE AFGANISTAN A SAFER PLACE.

TEAM CRAZYHORSE SOLDIER PROVIDES OVERWATCH SECURITY DURING RECENT CLEARING OPERATIONS IN THE JAJI DISTRICTS NEAR COP HERRERA.