Warhorse Brigade Moves to Basra Contents Warhorse Sends: Warhorse Brigade Assumes Command Warhorse Brigade Relocation to Basra of Basra
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
wARHORSE RIDER Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Vol. 1, Issue 8 May 2009 Warhorse Brigade moves to Basra COntEntS Warhorse Sends: Warhorse Brigade assumes command Warhorse Brigade Relocation to Basra of Basra .......................................page 3 their infancy state here. 1-10 CAV patrols streets of Tunis ......... While the quality of life for our Soldiers has de- .......................................................page 4 creased at COB Basra, we will continue to focus on making significant improvements for our Warhorse 204th Gym fully restored, open for Soldiers in Iraq. Each Battalion is located on their business........................................page 5 own self-sustaining camp within the COB. Many of the soldiers are further located in patrol 2-8IN, IA EOD detonate weapons cache bases all around the Basra Province. These patrol in Basra.........................................page 6 bases are closer to, or located with the Iraqi Security Forces that we partner with. We will continue to 793d Soldiers, IP drop school supplies strive to improve their quality of life every day. All in Basra ........................................page 8 the patrol bases will be rebuilt over the next 45 days to ensure environmentally controlled locations to Warhorse Brigade moves to Basra eat and sleep, shower facilities, gym equipment, and Province .....................................page 10 access to internet and phones. This week SPAWARS was opened on each camp. Around AO Warhorse................page 12 This should facilitate our Soldiers ability to maintain contact with their Families. Mail is now arriving 3-16FA, IA fights smuggling in Babil..... to COB Basra; please ensure to use the new Basra .....................................................page 14 mailing addresses to include the unit number when you are sending mail to your Soldiers. Ensuring Army training gives new future to The Warhorse Brigade minus 1-67 Armor and that we continue every day to improve the Warhorse 204th BSB Soldier......................page 16 3-16 Field Artillery Battalions have completed its Soldier’s quality of life is one of my top priorities. relocation to Combat Operating Base Basra. The I appreciate your continued support to all our Buffalo Soldiers settle in at Camp Al- 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery will remain at Soldiers and Families. You make a difference every pha ..............................................page 17 Convoy Support Center Scania and the 1st Combined day for your Soldiers who are winning the war Arms Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment will remain that a year ago; the Nation, though could never be in Mosul. As always, our Soldiers did a remarkable won. As we enter the final stages of our deployment job getting their equipment and personnel relocated here, please ensure that you do not get caught up in without loss or injury. rumors. I believe we have demonstrated throughout CSM Thompson and I appreciate the team’s hard this deployment that we tell you the truth and we do work and focus during this very busy and changing not hide information. Remember if you do not hear time in Iraq. We also greatly appreciate the support of the information through the chain of command, then our Warhorse Families during this transition to a new it is just a rumor. mission set in support of the people of Basra. I appreciate your participation in the last month- The Warhorse Brigade was selected to replace ly Town Hall when I was home on EML. I encourage the United Kingdom Soldiers in Basra to replicate you to attend our next Town Hall currently scheduled the outstanding work we did in Diwaniyah and for May 19, 2009 at 1800 in the McMahon Theater. Najaf with the Iraqi Security Forces. This mission If you have questions that you would like for me to is an exciting new challenge for our brigade. While answer, please e-mail them to connie.kallerson@co- our physical location has changed, our mission nus.army.mil. Please continue to visit the Warhorse will remain the same. The Brigade will continue to vFRG website to get the latest information. provide training, mentorship and resources through On the Cover: partnership with the Iraqi Security Forces in order to We are Warhorse! A stream of Warhorse Soldiers exit an Air continue their progress as they provide security to the Force C-130 Hercules military transport Iraqi population in the Basra province. HENRY A. KIEVENAAR, III aircraft at COB Basra April 25. Combat Operating Base Basra is much larger COL, AR photo by Sgt. Rodney Foliente then FOB Echo or Kalsu. Many of the life support Commander 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. PAO systems that were set-up at our last locations are in The Warhorse Rider is produced in the Rider is prepared, edited, provided and wARHORSE interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade approved by the 2nd Brigade Combat- Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. Team Public Affairs Office. The Warhorse Rider is an Army-funded Do you have a story to share? The newsletter authorized under provision of Warhorse Rider welcomes articles, com- AR 360-1. mentary, and photos from readers. Contents of The Warhorse Rider are The Warhorse Rider reserves the RIDER not necessarily the views of, nor endorsed right to edit submissions selected for the Col. Butch Kievenaar...............2BCT Commander by the, U.S. government, Department of paper. Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Fredrick Thompson...2BCT CSM Defense, Department of the Army or the Submissions and requests for further Maj. Tanya Bradsher............................2BCT PAO Staff Sgt. Carlos M. Burger II......................Editor 4th Infantry Division. information should be emailed to the Sgt. Rodney Foliente...........................Staff Writer All editorial content of The Warhorse editor: [email protected]. 2 Col. Butch Kievenaar, commander, 2nd BCT and Brig. Gen. Tom Beckett, commander 20th Armd. Bde. salute the 2nd BCT colors during a transfer of authority ceremony between the 2nd BCT and 20th Armd. Bde, April 30. The 20th Armd. Bde. transferred authority of the Basra operations area to the 2nd BCT. Warhorse Brigade assumes command of Basra By Sgt. Brandon LeFlore The 2nd BCT will pick up where to support the Iraqi Security forces MND-S PAO the 20th Armd. Bde. left off in train- with enablers and training so they The British 20th Armoured Brigade ing the Iraqi Security Forces, build- can continue to grow while main- transferred authority of the Basra ing relationships and supporting the taining the safe and secure envi- area of operations to the 2nd Brigade provincial government here. ronment that the citizens of Basra Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, “The Iraqi Security Forces have enjoy today, added Kievenaar. April 30. demonstrated repeatedly in the last six “This smooth transition will en- The transfer of authority ceremony months that they are an effective force, able us to continue to move forward marks the end of the 20th Armd. providing the necessary security to al- without any loss of momentum,” he Bde.’s combat mission in support of low economic development in Basra,” continued. the Government of Iraq. said Kievenaar to a mixed audience of Although the 20th Armd. Bde. The ceremony kicked off with the British, American and Iraqi dignitaries has completed its mission in Basra, playing of the bagpipes followed by and military attendees. they intend to continue to contribute the entrance of the official party which The 2nd BCT successfully trained to the Coalition’s ongoing mission include Maj. Gen. Michael Oates, and supported the ISF in the Diwani- in Iraq, said Beckett. Multi-National Division – South com- yah, Najaf and Babil provinces for During the 20th Armd Bde.’s 2nd. Bde., 4th Inf. Div. mander, Col. Butch Kievenaar, 2nd eight months prior to taking command tour, there have been two critical BCT commander, Brig. Gen. Tom of the Basra area of operations. changes for the people in this area; Beckett, 20th Armd. Bde. commander, The “Warhorse” Brigade intends to the Iraqi security forces have taken Abdul Qadir, Iraqi Minister of Defense see the same success while in com- the lead for security in Iraq and and John Hutton, British Secretary of mand of the Basra operational area. new provincial councils have been Defense. The Warhorse Brigade will continue seated throughout the country. 3 Photos by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. JoAnn S. Makinano, Combat Camera An Iraqi soldier from 1st Battalion, 7th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, hands out food to a woman during a humanitarian aid mission in the Al Intisar neighborhood of Mosul, Iraq. 1-67 AR, 2nd IA conduct aid drop By Staff Sgt. Carlos M. Burger II 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. PAO oldiers from 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd SBrigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, provided security for Iraqi soldiers from 1st Bn., 7th Bde., 2nd IA Div., conducting a humanitarian aid mission in the Al Intisar neighborhood of Mosul.. During the patrol, the Soldiers and handed out food and supplies to the local populace. The unit has been attached to the Multi-National Division - North for the past eight months and operate in Photos by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. JoAnn S. Makinano, Combat Camera the Kirkuk Province. Pfc. Jontae Greer, 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Divi- sion, provides security for Iraqi soldiers from 1st Bn., 7th Bde, 2nd IA Div., conducting a humanitarian 1st Bn., 67th AR. Regt. 1st Bn., 67th aid mission in the Al Intisar neighborhood of Mosul. 4 “Warhorse” Soldiers from the 204th BSB work out at the newly restored and fully functional gym at Camp Bravo, May 5. The battalion recently brought in more than $70,000 worth of new equipment to meet the fitness needs of the Soldiers here. 204th Gym fully restored, open for business By Sgt. Brandon LeFlore 204th gym.