geronimo journal

PFC Dudley of 1st Platoon, Comanche Company pulls se- curity along a Kalat Wall while on patrol in Province. Task Force 1-501 Family and Friends,

We are at the hump, or maybe just over it, in terms of our deployment length, but there is still much to be done. We’re continuing to make progress in terms of Afghan forces being able to provide security; and these gains are opening the doors for significantly larger gains, progress begets progress. The willingness of our Afghan partners to take initiative in the planning and execution of operations is continually increasing. At the lower (Company/ PLT equivalent) level, our Afghan partner forces remain strong and competent. At the Kandak (Battalion equiva- lent) level and up they still face challenges, particularly in the area of logistic support. It is not for a lack of will, sometimes they’re just not sure how their own systems are supposed to work (a problem that can be found in our own Army). We have created some of this problem on our own over the past 10 years - supplying Afghan forces with whatever they need, as opposed to forcing their system to work. Our Security Force Assistance (SFA) Team (“Team Salakar”) is critical in helping our Afghan partners build their ability to supply themselves, communicate and synchronize operations across . Team Salakar, in conjunction with our Companies, works con- stantly at various level to assist our Afghan partners in finding “Afghan solutions to Afghan problems.”

We have completed the transition of Company Commanders in Easy and Blackfoot Companies, with CPT Adam Jones now at the helm of the FSC and CPT Matt Mobley leading Blackfoot Company at JCOP Chergowtah. This month we will say good bye to CPT Tyler Rund, who will be replaced by CPT Joel Franceschi as Comanche 6 at COP Terezayi.

Another transition that has taken place is the Division Headquarters the Brigade Combat Team works for now. The 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters has redeployed to Fort Hood, Texas and been replaced the 1st Infantry Division Headquarters from Fort Riley, Kansas. This change in headquarters has also resulted in the Battalion going back to being referred to as Task Force 1-501, as opposed to Task Force Blue Geronimo.

Geronimos continue to return refreshed from R&R, over 400 Paratroopers have taken R&R since we’ve started back in January. While there are only a small number of Geronimos remaining that will deploy forward, others will continue to redeploy and transition to civilian life as their ETS dates are nearing. We would like to say thank you to these men and women and wish them the best as they transition from the military.

You can continue to be proud of what your Geronimo is doing here in as part of TF 1-501. We’ve made progress, but there is still plenty left to be done. To steal from a decorated former Army Officer, “Be proud, but don’t be satisfied.”

On behalf of our Geronimo Soldiers I’d like to thank you for your continued support of the Task Force and each other in Alaska, or wherever you may be reading this newsletter from. There are still many challenges that lie ahead of us. But the strength of the fami- lies and friends on the home front will remain critical to our ability to maintain focus on the tasks that lie ahead.

GERONIMO!

LTC Patrick Ellis

SGT Hale and SPC Bair learn IED making techniques during a class on FOB Salerno, AF. Family and Friends of TF 1-501,

Another month is upon us and the month of May marks the halfway point. The Battalion has accom- plished so much and yet we have a ways to go. Everyone looks forward to the turn- around point but we will continue to re- mind our Soldiers to stay focused on the task at hand, and to make sure that we make every day count. You, the support net- A Geronimo shares an afternoon snack with some Afghan children while on patrol in . work, are always a big part of that and help en- sure our Soldiers stay focused by holding down the fort and continuing with your outstanding support of our unit, our mission, and our Soldiers.

Our Soldiers are keeping a very fast paced schedule. In addition to the patrol schedule, Companies have been improving the work and living conditions at every location. Some leaders and Soldiers within the Battalion have started to switch out. This is a natural part of Army growth and transition. It keeps an organization fresh with ideas, new perspectives on how to solve problems and sometimes it helps keep us from get- ting complacent. Some are getting ready to re-deploy early for follow on schooling and others are just moving to another job within the Battalion and Brigade. We bid them a farewell and best of luck on all of their fu- ture endeavors.

I am keeping my comments short this month and making room for some Compa- ny Commanders to brag about all the won- derful things their Soldiers are doing. As al- ways, to the volunteers and the supporting cast at JBER and around the Country, we are at the turn around point. Thank you again for your support, and encouragement, it is with your help that we are successful.

Sincerely,

CSM Kirk Johnson A Paratrooper walks through some trees while on patrol in . Security Force Assistance Team 1 - Team “Salakar” (Advisor in )

As the members of Team Salakar, here in Afghanistan and our families back home, eagerly approach the mid-point of our de- ployment, we continue to develop the capabilities of our Afghan partners. Our primary focus is to help the Afghan Soldiers and Police provide a secure and safe environment for the local peo- ple to work, go to school, and just live their lives in peace. Our five man team is still working with two Afghan National Army (ANA) Kandaks (Battalions), two Afghan Border Police Kanda- ks, and we also supervise and assist with the development of the CPT Rund discusses an upcoming mission with his Af- Afghan Police in our assigned districts within Khost Province. ghan counterparts after eating an authentic Afghan meal. Yes, if you are wondering, it keeps us very busy.

The last 30 days have been spent mainly on the continued effort to transition responsibility, for the safety of the Afghan people, from US or Coalition Forces, to the Afghan Na- tional Security Forces. This basically means two simple things. It is now Afghan men and women (looking for “bad guys”, illegal weapons, or equipment) who conduct searches of homes and vehicles. It also means it is the Afghan Security Forces patrolling the streets, conducting check points along the road, and providing safety for children at the local schools.

The most difficult aspects of the transition are not what you might think. The Afghan Soldiers are tough and are willing to fight to keep the people safe, but they lack any of the technologies and amenities that make the US Army function so well. Our team focuses on the fight tomorrow. We teach the Afghan Commanders how to forecast necessary items to feed, house, and equip their Soldiers out in the field. We teach the importance of maintenance to help keep their vehicles and weapons from breaking, and to order parts to have available when equipment does break. The list goes on and on. Just know that each member of our team has areas of expertise that he learned dur- ing his unique experience within our Army. We as individuals teach the areas we know best, and as a consolidated team teach what they need to win today and tomorrow.

Team Salakar is very lucky to be working with 1/501st (Geronimo). Their team is a group of professional leaders and Soldiers who support us in every way. They provide our food, housing, security, and even our mail. We would not be able to accomplish our mission without their continued dedication to us.

For the moment, SFC Revies, MSG Chapman, and MAJ Parshad are still partnered with 2/1/203rd ANA in southern Khost. MAJ David is working with the 3/1/203rd ANA in northern Khost, and LTC Slider is the team headquarters based our of Salerno.

This past month MSG Chapman took Rest and Relaxation (R&R) in South Carolina so he could be with his family there. MAJ David took his R&R and visited South Africa.

Our team wishes to send a special and loving thank you to our families. Without your love , support, strength, and sacrifice we would not be able to accomplish this vital mission. We are one day closer to mission com- plete and returning home to you! LTC Slider and Maj Parshad pose for a picture with To be continued... an ANA and AUP Commander in Tani District. Friends and Family of Apache Company:

Apache Company has found its stride. Having just passed the halfway point in the deployment, men are surprised at how fast it’s going and excited to be over the hump and headed for the finish. Having safely captured bomb builders, IED emplacers, and insur- gent fighters, we’re seeing a great effect on our area of operations. The men continue to take enemy men, weapons, and equipment off the battlefield nearly ev- ery day we go on patrol. As the Summer comes into full swing, we’re seeing more and more opportunities to take everything from the insurgent networks and give them nothing back. As the men gain an intimate familiarity with the area, it gets much more difficult for the enemy to maneuver unnoticed.

Several promotion orders came in to some very de- serving Soldiers to include SPC Castor, SPC Harvey, SPC Jackson, and SPC Burton. SPC Ramirez passed the E5 board and is waiting to be promoted from Spe- cialist to Sergeant while SGT Edwards earned a pro- A Geronimo Female Engagement Team member and interpreter motion to Staff Sergeant after the board in March. All patrol through a traffic control point in . of these men have earned the right to advance in rank and have the experience to go with it. There’s not a single man in our Company whom I don’t trust to do the right thing regardless of who is watching. These six soldiers execute their duties with pride and professionalism everyday and continually take on more responsibility without skipping a beat. We continue to set the example for our ANA partners.

The Afghan National Army and Afghan Uniformed Police get a little better everyday. The cultural and language boundaries have fallen over the last few months and the men have built strong relations with the Afghans. There’s still plenty of work to be done, but the men in Apache Company have set a good exam- ple and make corrections everyday that will eventually become habit for the young mili- tary force.

As we get further into the deployment, we get more and more excited to hear the “jingle birds” that bring the supplies to the JCOP. Nobody cares what’s on the helicopter unless it comes out in a white kicker box labeled “Sabari Mail”. The continued support of the families back home, more than anything, makes the time pass quickly. No matter how high the operational tempo, everybody wel- comes the packages and letters you send. Thank you for your prayers and support. SGT William Burns of 1st Platoon, Delaware Company sets up a traffic control point in Bak District with an Afghan Counterpart. Family and Friends of Blackfoot Company:

Thank you for your continued love and support to your Soldiers who have been incredibly busy these past 145 days since leaving JBER. Since leaving, they have accomplished more than we could have ever imagined, and are continually going above and beyond.

We have safely deployed a 160 man Company team across two continents without injury; we moved a Company’s worth of equipment and personal gear without losing a single item; we have moved to a new area of operations due to your Soldiers’ stabi- lizing Bak far sooner than anyone could have imag- ined; and now we are bringing the fight to the en- A Geronimo from Team Blackfoot pulls security emy in Chergowtah like he has never seen before. while on patrol outside of JCOP Chergowtah. Through this all, your Soldiers have maintained a focus, dedication, and commitment that is second to none.

As of today, we have pushed out 15 R&R cycles to get your Soldiers a much needed break and time back in the United States with loved ones. It is hard to imagine, but we are already looking at the half way mark and keeping focus on finishing this deployment strong. Living conditions are steadily improving everyday here in Chergowtah. Through the hard work and dedication of SSG Wheeler and SGT Cappuccio, our “Mayors”, we have taken Cher- gowtah from a Platoon hang out, to a Company home. In the past week we have gotten the chow hall up and run- ning and now we are enjoying two hot meals a day instead of MREs. We continue to work on improving electricity and water for showers.

The men of Blackfoot have been doing what In- fantrymen do best; in the most rugged of ter- rains, with a ridiculous amount of equipment on their backs, they are climbing mountains, walking through valleys, hunting the enemies of our country and taking territory back that they used to claim as their own. While doing this, they are partnering with Afghan forces to empower their future and building relation- ships with the communities around us. Daily the Soldiers of Blackfoot Company amaze CPT Mobley and me with their dedication and pro- fessionalism.

Keep the letters and packages coming; stay in touch with your Soldiers; keep the support to them coming and know that they are giving 100% for their country everyday. Thank you for being part of the Blackfoot family and your con- tributions to what makes us all Blackfoot. SPC Escobar and PFC Vawter from Blackfoot Company conduct crater analysis in Terezayi District. 1SG Erick Ochs Dear Comanche Friends and Family,

The month of April has been the first month we have operated with all of TM Comanche present here at COP Terezayi. In mid March we were able to move all of the Soldiers to COP Terezayi as TM Blackfoot took charge of COP Chergowtah. The growing pains of COP Terezayi having an additional 40 members is complete and our success continues grow.

The paratroopers of TM Comanche and their ANSF counterparts have been increasing the pressure on the enemy throughout the dis- trict while moving in a positive direction with the local population. TM Comanche works Members of 3rd Platoon, Comanche Company take closely with the Afghan Uniformed Police (AUP) and Afghan Border a break on top of an Afghan Border Checkpoint. Patrol (ABP) and saw additional support from the Afghan National Army (ANA). The eventual goal of the partnership is to build an effective enough force to provide a stable district after the 2014 withdraw of US Forces. These forces are working to be able to provide civil stability (AUP), a more defined and controlled border (ABP), and provide security against foreign and domestic terrorist organizations (ANA).

We continued our partnership with AUP and ABP by attempting to move forward with additional checkpoints in our area of operations. The first checkpoint we established had a tremendous effect with population and provided much welcome security on routes our vehicles travel during patrols. The local population has approached many Soldiers and asked for even more checkpoints to be built and to thank them for the additional security.

This Month we also had the ANA on COP Terezayi for about eight days of operations. This was a very busy time but very successful. Our counterparts began the eight day operation unable to support or plan their operations and finished by planning the last days of the operation, conducting patrols without US Forces, and investigating and solving murder cases in the local area.

The month of April has seen wonderful events happen however it was a bittersweet month for TM Comanche. The month of April is also the first month we have lost a Comanche dur- ing this deployment. SPC Jeffrey White was killed as a result of an improvised explosive device on April 3rd. It was a very difficult and sad time for TM Co- manche. SPC Jeffrey White was an out- standing Soldier and he is missed here. However, TM Comanche is a strong family, a close family, and we will move forward in honor of our fallen.

We thank you for your continued sup- port. Members of 3rd Platoon, Comanche Company patrol CPT Tyler Rund through Terezayi District as the sun sets in the background. Team Delaware Family and Friends,

This month has flown by rather quickly. We have been very busy this month with the final stages of Afghan led transition. The Afghan Border Police (ABP) moved to the new complex just South of the COP, which has opened more room for the ANA that has recently moved in. Things are rolling along and soon this district will be the first in RC-East to transition control to Afghan control with US as advisors.

3/B has been working well with the Embedded Police Mentors to build the district Police force. They are coming along but they need to get past the years of being treated like a military force or not being trained to do anything other than get paid to sit around. It takes a good deal of patience on their part. Their other partner, ABP, just changed their Company here. Now 3/B is starting all over with this Company, They are getting better by the day and have now surpassed the abilities of the ABP Company they replaced only a month ago. They will learn fast though, just like the last Company did. 2/D has done some great training with ANA, and there is a noticeable improvement with the ANA. The ANA are forming up and marching to training, there is accountability at the fire team level, basic patrolling skills, and they are currently working on their marksmanship. SGT Griffith taught ANA basic formations, security, hand and arm signals with other basic patrolling skills. SGT Wiley instructed ANA on reacting to IEDs and current TTPs in our district and the BN AO. SGT Thomas is the current instructor of marksmanship.

Not to leave HQ out, Doc Riley and Cornejo are still training the ANSF medics, and have done such a good job that last week they flew to FOB Salerno for a Khost Province Medical Shura. The most recent training was ANA practicing marksmanship then a simulated casualty happens that the ANA medic has to move to cover then treat as the ANA still continue to fire (this was conducted on our 25m range). A few days before that Doc Riley and Cornejo mentored the ANA medic through extracting a shotgun pellet from another ANA Soldier’s hand. SPC Casey and Parson have been trying to beat SGT Lee at Monopoly, but are unsuccessful in their attempts. They have been manning the TOC during the day and have done an excellent job to the point that I would trust them to make a Company level decision if they had to. At times it is a tedious and boring job but I think they now have a good understanding of how things are run and how Commanders command and control elements. This month we changed out our long time Fire Support Officer, 1LT Eric Lain. He has been with us for the last 18 months and has played an integral role in mission success for Team Delaware. 1LT Lain is switching places with 1LT Frank Worsham who is coming to us from 2/377 Parachute Field Artillery Regiment. He will be a healthy addition to Team Delaware and all that we are doing here in Tani District.

Thank you all for your love and support for all we are doing here in Khost Province.

Very Respectfully,

CPT Dovie

1LT Eric Lain looks on as 3rd Platoon, Blackfoot Company con- ducts a Key Leader Engagement in Tani District. Family and Friends of Team Hatchet,

Team Hatchet is continuing to have great success in Afghanistan. We had lots of outstanding accomplishments in the month of April. The company team in Gorbuz (Headquarters, 1/Comanche and the MPs) are constantly patrolling and lead the Battalion in biometric enrollments thus far in the deployment. The Scouts are going ev- erywhere in the area and being requested multiple times to get hard jobs done that they make look easy. The Hatchet staff personnel are continuing to provide lessons learned to others in the Brigade and around Afghanistan. Soldiers are flying on helicopters, walking over mountains, and driving through water to do what is needed for Af- ghanistan and America. Hatchet Soldiers and leaders are training and mentoring their Afghan counterparts, helping them build ca- pacity and capabilities needed to be effective in the future. Across the ranks in Team Hatchet, we are coaching, teaching, and mentor- ing the Afghan Army, Police, and Government officials in order to help them be the leaders needed for a successful Afghanistan. The Afghans are motivated and skilled and we have a great working re- lationship together. As they say over here, “Shona ba Shona” (shoul- der to shoulder) is how we work together for a common good. PFC Dudley of 1st Platoon, Comanche Company strikes a pose while on patrol in Gorbuz District. I know the temperature in Alaska, and other parts of the U.S., is beginning to warm up now, and I can only say the same for Khost Province as well. It frequently reaches 85 degrees and we expect to see triple digits by the end of the month. We appre- ciate your care packages and letters as they warm our spirits up every time there is mail call. Some of you have seen your loved ones recently due to deployment leave, and others will see loved ones soon. I encourage you to have a great time during RnR wherever it may be; relax and enjoy the time to- gether, it probably won’t seem long enough, but before you know it we’ll be redeployed and back in Alaska. We enjoy our Combat Outpost and make it more of our home away from home every day with the pictures and mementos that we re- ceive. Turns out, some parts of Khost look remarkably like some parts of Alaska. Thank you all for being an inspiration to Team Hatchet and a FRG family back in Alaska and other places in the United States. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email my wife, the Hatchet FRG Leader. Have a blessed day and know that we are always thinking of you and putting our best foot forward in Afghanistan to do what we need to do. The Hatchet Paratroopers are doing an OUTSTANDING service. You should be very proud of your loved ones over here. I am extremely proud of all of them! Hatchet, Geronimo, Sparta Lives, Airborne!

Sincerely, A Female Engagement Team member stands on a hillside 1LT Mike Tax while on Patrol with Team Hatchet in Gorbuz District. Greetings Family and Friends of Easy Company,

Easy Company has continued to have great success in Afghanistan supporting the 1-501st Infantry Battalion. The month of April flew by and we had several highlights from the month. First, we conducted a Change of Command Ceremony on April 13th, welcoming Captain Adam W. Jones and his family to the Easy Company and Geronimo family. Captain Adam Jones comes to us from 725th Brigade Support Battalion after serving as the Officer in Charge of the Transportation Section of Support Operations. The transition has been smooth as he is extremely excited to come into Command and has jumped into the role of Company Commander quite well. Sadly, we said goodbye to Captain Jared G. Speaks after spending four years in Easy Company, serving in each officer role. Cap- tain Speaks moved on to be the Deputy Support Operations Officer of the 725th Brigade Support Battalion.

Another highlight from April is the set up of three fuel points in the 1-501st Geronimo area of operation. Now, all seven 1-501st Joint Combat Operation Posts have permanent fuel points which help make their daily fuel opera- tions run more quickly with the advanced fueling capabilities. After months of ordering the different supplies and working with BSB Fuel Support Operations, SS Blue, the Easy Company Fuel NCOIC, was able to piece together parts in order to establish the fuel points. It is a great logistical progress for our Battalion.

The Maintenance Platoon continues to go above and beyond at repairing our Battalion’s equipment. They recov- ered seven vehicles, repaired 29 vehicles, 3 generators, and many radios in the month of April. SSG Houghtaling also completed the gauging of 976 weapons systems in our Battalion. Maintenance has certainly proved their hard work this month.

Our Distribution Platoon completed numerous Combat Logistics Patrols to the JCOPs in the 1-501st AO to sup- port their combat missions. This included two large, overnight CLPs to Team Blackfoot to deliver supplies, such as construction materials and refrigerator containers, to establish and expand their developing JCOP. SGT Mowbraw, the head cook with Team Blackfoot, has done an excellent job setting up the remote field feeding site at his location and making sure his Soldiers don’t go hungry. It’s great to see a JCOP operate more effectively due to the supplies that we deliver them.

Easy Company is doing an outstanding job here in Af- ghanistan and you should be very proud of your Soldiers. This month we promoted two Soldiers, SSG Phillips and PFC Medina, and re- enlisted two Soldiers, SGT Allen and SPC Sutton. We appreciate all the support we are getting from friends and family back at home from emails and letters, to packag- es and gifts. It certainly keeps the morale high here on FOB Salerno. Thank you!

Sincerely,

1LT Laura Condyles Incoming Commander CPT Jones stands next to LTC Ellis, and outgoing Commander CPT Speaks during there change of Command Ceremony. LIVING THE DREAM

As I sit here in front of the computer, wondering what to write, I reflect upon these past 5-months. I remember the early mornings to catch flights, the missions of the Paratroopers, the chow, the waiting; but the thing that brings a smile to my face is remembering the time spent with your Paratroopers. Listening to SGT Acosta jam out on his guitar, singing about his wife and his adventure up to The sun shines through the clouds over the flight line at FOB Salerno after a rainstorm. Alaska; playing washers with SGT Ar- cher against SSG Chaffman and CH Britton and winning, a lot; unwinding with SSG Reid at Chergowtah as he lays down beats and lyrics, pouring his heart out to God; talking food and recipes with SPC Brockett at Bak; listening to SGT Wiley tell stories over a warming fire at Narizah; sharing the pain and grief with 2nd Platoon Comanche as the mourn the loss of SPC Jeffrey White Jr.

I love my job!!! As we travel around and around, I ask people how they are doing, I often hear the response: “Living the dream.” I hear that a lot and not only from the Paratroopers of Task Force 1-501, but from aviation Soldiers, civilians contractors, and anybody else that I chat up. Everybody is “Living the dream.” Some days, I think our Paratroopers did not “dream” they would win the war by scanning eyes and taking fingerprints, as they collect end- less biometrics. Other days, they live out their “dreams” by jumping off a helicopter, assaulting an objective, and capturing the enemy. It is these dreams that keep Paratroopers motivated and focused. There are other “dreams” than just professional. Do you have personal “dreams”? What are your emotional “dreams”? How do you “dream” spiritually?

In Philippians 1:21, Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” I believe Paul constantly dreamed about the day he would be in heaven, praising and worshiping Jesus Christ with all the saints and angels. If you caught that, for Paul’s dream to come to pass, he would have to die. Hebrews 9:27-28 says, “And in- asmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of any, will ap- pear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” Paul was prepared for his appointed day, are you? How will your spiritual dreams compare to the spiritual re- ality of eternity? Our prayer for you is that your spiritual dreams compare to the spiritual reality of eternity? Our prayer for you is that your spiritual dreams are the same as Paul’s. Keep dreaming until we meet again.

Grace from Above Members of 1st Platoon, Blackfoot Company pose for a SSG Chris Patchen picture after a long day of patrolling in Terezayi District.