Vol. 69 No. 37 Sept. 16, 2011 Word of the month: Prevention Photo by Antonio Francis Remembering 9/11 Fort Carson Soldiers, Families and community members unfurl the “Super Flag” Sept. service to the nation since. It took 650 people to unfurl the 255 foot by 505 foot stars 9 at Ironhorse Park to conclude the 2011 Freedom Walk and Run to honor those killed and stripes, the world’s largest American flag. About 1,800 people united in Ironhorse in the 9/11 attacks and the servicemembers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in Park for the commemorative ceremony. For more on the event, see pages 24-25. 204th BSB pays tribute to fallen Story and photo by Infantry Division, stationed at Forward Operating FOB Walton in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in the early Spc. April York Base Walton commemorated the 10th anniversary of morning hours Sunday. The flags — received from 2nd Brigade Combat Sept. 11 with a ceremony to remember the fallen different organizations around the United States — Team Public Affairs Office, heroes of the ill-fated day. were raised and saluted by the deployed Soldiers and 4th Infantry Division “These guys deserve it,” said Command Sgt. will be returned to each organization with a certificate Maj. Troy Tuten, 204th BSB. “They were fighting commemorating that the flags were flown over FORWARD OPERATING BASE WALTON, on the front lines that day and this is just our way Afghanistan on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Afghanistan — Soldiers from the 204th Brigade to say thanks and remember them.” See Tribute on Page 4 Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th More than 200 American flags were raised over II News Military Community NN SS II DD EE Page 3 Page 8 Page 16 2 MOUNTAINEER — Sept. 16, 2011 MOUNTAINEER Commanding General: Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins New CSA offers initial thoughts Garrison Commander: Col. Robert F. McLaughlin Editor’s note: Gen. Raymond T. Odierno became the of nuclear weapons and Fort Carson Public Affairs Officer: 38th Army chief of staff during a change of responsibility challenges of rising powers. Dee McNutt ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 7. All of this is underpinned Chief, Print and Web Communications: by fiscal constraint. Rick Emert by Gen. Raymond T. Odierno Despite the challenges, Editor: Devin Fisher Chief of staff of the Army we confront the future from Staff writers: Andrea Sutherland a position of great strength. Dustin Senger I am honored and humbled to be your 38th chief of staff. Our Army will continue to Kerstin Lopez Over the last 10 years our Army has proven itself in be the best equipped, best Staff Sgt. Wayne Barnett arguably the most difficult environment we have ever trained and best led force in Happenings: Nel Lampe faced. Our leaders at every level have displayed the world. The strength of Sports writer: Walt Johnson unparalleled ingenuity, flexibility and adaptability. Our our nation is our Army; Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall Soldiers have displayed mental and physical toughness the strength of our Army is This commercial enterprise newspaper is and courage under fire. They have transformed the Army our Soldiers; the strength Odierno an authorized publication for members of the into the most versatile, agile, rapidly deployable and of our Soldiers is our Department of Defense. Contents of the sustainable strategic land force in the world. Families. This is what makes us Army Strong. Mountaineer are not necessarily the official view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or Our Army is the nation’s force of decisive action, Along with the secretary of the Army, in the coming the Department of the Army. Printed circulation extremely relevant and highly effective for a wide range weeks I will share thoughts on our way forward. This is 12,000 copies. of missions. Trust is the bedrock of our honored includes sustaining our all-volunteer Army, providing The editorial content of the Mountaineer is the respon sibility of the Public Affairs profession — trust between each other, trust between depth and versatility to the joint force and ensuring Office, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, Tel.: Soldiers and leaders, trust between Soldiers and their flexibility for defense of our interests at home and abroad. 526-4144. The e-mail address is Families and the Army and trust with the American people. I am proud to serve in your ranks, filled by great men and [email protected]. The Mountaineer is posted on the Today is like no other time in our history. We remain women that willingly serve our country. You are courageous, Internet at http://csmng.com. at war, and our top priority is to win the current fight. It is confident, competent and compassionate. You live our Army The Mountaineer is an unofficial also a time of uncertainty and historic change. We face a Values 24/7 in all you do. Discipline, high standards and publication authorized by AR 360-1. The multitude of security challenges, such as transnational and fitness are your watch words. You are the best our country Mountaineer is printed by Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in regional terrorism in places like Yemen, Somalia, North has to offer. I look forward to seeing you as I visit your no way connected with the Department of the Africa and Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas. camps, posts, stations and operating bases. Thank you for Army, under exclusive written contract with We have the uncertainty of the Arab Spring, the proliferation your steadfast dedication and loyal service to our nation. Fort Carson. It is published 49 times per year. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the D6 sends Department of the Army or Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, of the products or services advertised. The printer reserves the right to reject advertisements. Everything advertised in this publication Watch out for each other shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, by Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch Community Service’s Financial Readiness Program, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital Commander, U.S. Army Installation Management the Family Advocacy Program, military and family life status, physical handicap, political affiliation consultants, Behavioral Health, Soldier and Family or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, Command and assistant chief of staff for user or patron. If a violation or rejection of Installation Management Assistance Centers and unit and garrison chaplains. this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser Looking at the bigger picture, the Army has expanded is confirmed, the printer shall refuse to print When I talk with garrison professionals who work in the resources aimed at strengthening the overall resilience advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. For display advertising call suicide prevention, they all have stories about the person who and well-being of our Army Family. More training is 634-5905. really made them realize the importance of what they do. now available through the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness All correspondence or queries regarding There was the Soldier who seemed to have it all together, Program, which focuses on physical, emotional, social, advertising and subscriptions should be directed to Colorado Springs Military Newspaper until one day he asked a course instructor, “When you’re Family and spiritual strength. Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, driving home, do you think about wrapping your car around The Army’s commitment to suicide prevention has resulted Colorado Springs, CO 80903, phone 634-5905. a tree?” And the civilian supervisor with a stressful, in some real policy and program changes that have reduced the The Mountaineer’s editorial content is high-visibility job who did not want to attend number of people at risk. But as long as any edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office, building 1430, room 265, Fort the mandatory suicide prevention training member of the Army Family views suicide Carson, CO 80913-5119, phone 526-4144. because he did not want to admit to himself as a viable option, we still have work to do. Releases from outside sources are so his own thoughts about suicide. And the From the Installation Management side we are indicated. The deadline for submissions to the Mountaineer is close of business the week Family member who felt desperately alone strengthening programs that provide critical before the next issue is published. The and overwhelmed during another deployment. support. This includes hiring more ASAP Mountaineer staff reserves the right to edit Most of the stories have happy endings counselors and Suicide Prevention Program submissions for newspaper style, clarity and typographical errors. — the people received the help they needed. managers for installations worldwide, and Policies and statements reflected in the When they didn’t, it was a hard, hard loss. revising the Total Army Sponsorship news and editorial columns represent views Losing someone to suicide is doubly painful Program to help transitioning Soldiers, of the individual writers and under no circumstances are to be considered those of and confusing, as those left behind not only civilians and Families build stronger the Department of the Army. deal with the absence of their friend, loved connections with their new communities. Reproduction of editorial material is one or co-worker, but also with guilt and One key component to successful authorized. Please credit accordingly. questions of what could have been done. Army prevention efforts is fully engaged, September is Army Suicide Prevention Lynch committed leadership from top to bottom. Month, coinciding with National Suicide Prevention Great leaders create a culture in which people observe Week Sept.