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Greetings From Gardez, Afghanistan! From 1LT Goltz, HHD Commander
Task Force Sheriff Monthly:
Welcome to this first Issue of the
Task Force Sheriff Monthly: Your
Connection to the Wild West! This
publication aims to keep the Sol-
diers, Families, & Friends of the
―Rough Riders‖ connected with all
that is going on throughout our
deployment to Afghanistan. Your
feedback, comments, questions
and concerns are important . Feel
free to ―Contact the Commander‖
Inside this issue:
HHD Commander’s Message /
709th & 95th Transfer of Authority
1
Sheriff Miller’s Page / CSM
Stearns & SFC Moss’s Page
2—3
Combat Patches / Rear-D News /
“Mail Call!”
4– 5
Chaplain’s Corner 6
Embedded Writer’s Join the 95th 7
Useful Info For Family & Friends 7
Photos From the Soldiers 8 –11
TF Gunsmoke Transfers Authority to TF
Sheriff:
On March 3rd, 2010, The 709th MP BN officially
transferred all authority to the 95th MP BN, Task
Force Sheriff. At a ceremony conducted at Ba-
gram Air Field, LTC Dillon, Commander of Task
Force Gunsmoke, along with CSM Chambers
cased their unit colors and passed the torch on to
LTC Miller and CSM Stearns, Command Team for
Task Force Sheriff. The 709th MP BN arrived in
Afghanistan in 2009 and did an outstanding job
during their deployment. The 95th will strive to
continue their many successes. This transfer of
authority is unique in that, both Battalions fall
under the 18th Military Police Brigade, and are
both stationed in Germany. Replacing our ―sister‖
Battalion, which is stationed in Grafenwoehr, Ger-
many, gave Soldiers from both units plenty to
relate to, and plenty to talk about. As 95th Sol-
diers deploying from Germany were eager to learn
the ins-and-outs of Afghanistan, Soldiers from the
709th were certainly much more eager to hear
about our shared ―home‖ in Germany.
Your Connection To The Wild West...
March / April 2010
Issue 1
Task Force Sheriff Monthly HHD 95th MP BN
Greetings to all the Soldiers, Families, and
Friends of Task Force Sheriff!
The last time I had the opportunity to talk to many
of you was a chilly February day back in Mann-
heim, and it was a quite sad to say goodbye. The
good news is, the Soldiers of the 95th are up and
running and doing great things for Afghanistan.
We are currently split-up at four locations in East-
ern Afghanistan—Bagram Air Field, FOB Lightning,
FOB Salerno, and the Gardez Regional Training
Center (RTC). Our guys at BAF ensure your Sol-
dier gets the equipment they need, coordinates
flights, and makes sure those all important care
packages make it to their final destination. The
dedicated Soldiers at the RTC are responsible for
partnering with and mentoring the Afghan Na-
tional Police (ANP), which is no small task. The
team at FOB Lightning is responsible for com-
mand and control, administration, and logistics,
to support not just the HHD, but all the other units
assigned to TF Sheriff. Our Personnel Security
Detachment (PSD) Team, based out of FOB Light-
ning, has done an absolutely outstanding job
acting as the muscle for the Detachment, moving
personnel, equipment, and mail throughout the
Area of Operations. It has truly been a whirlwind
of new challenges, encounters, and experiences
so far, but each and every Soldier has made me
extremely proud and I am confident that HHD
95th will make a significant and lasting impact in
our time here in Afghanistan. I am thankful for the
great support of our Rough Rider families and
friends– Your impact is immeasurable.
- 1LT Goltz ―Rough Rider 6‖
The FOB Lightning Team outside the TOC.
LTC Miller & CSM Stearns Unfurl the 95th Colors.
Family members, Soldiers, Civilians of the Superstar Battalion, greetings from
Afghanistan, the Command Sergeant Major and I couldn‘t be any more proud
of not only the Soldiers performing their missions here, but also those who
stand watch back in Germany; especially the family members. We are so
proud of the family members and what they do every day to support their de-
ployed Soldiers or those Soldiers training and securing our German military
communities; we can‘t do it without you. MAJ Harvill and MSG Stogner, 1LT
(P) Benton, MSG Negron, thank you for your leadership in support of the Sol-
diers… you are making a difference. Heidi and I are sad to see to critical
members of our team move on, Maegan Henrichs, our Family Readiness Sup-
port Advisor and Ruth Banks our FRG Leader, we wish them all the best in
their next assignments, for me, both will always hold a special place in my
heart—they worked tirelessly serving our families. Good news---Alicia Kunz
has volunteered to be the new leader of the Detachment FRG, on top of all
else you do, Mother, full time employment and taking care of Matt (for that
alone, you deserve a medal), we are so grateful and blessed to have you as
our leader.
So, what are your Soldiers doing? Seven days a week, 15-20 hours on aver-
age, they work to either support the Soldier who is building, mentoring and
partnering with the Afghan National Police, across four of the most challeng-
ing provinces in all of Afghanistan. So many of our Soldiers are making a
difference every day in a huge way, like SPC Branch who makes sure the
leaders of this Battalion have accurate intelligence and assessments of what
the enemy is doing. Or PFC Richardson, a Soldier from our communications
section who mans the night shift operations center making sure we are kept
aware of what is happening in Eastern Afghanistan, always with a smile and a
can-do attitude. SPC Petaway from the S1 section, ―Cobra Strike‖, who not
only takes care of our personnel actions but also is there to make sure we get
our mail---one of the many highlights in the day of a Soldier.
Soldiers of this TF and this Headquarters work at several locations, some
Soldiers we don‘t get to see every day but whose role is critical to our suc-
cess, in particular, Sergeants Lierly and Douglas. These leaders work at Ba-
gram Air Field, about a 50 minutes helicopter ride from the rest of the unit,
every day they make sure we have the supplies to keep us running, or they
look after as we move in and out of Afghanistan, from R&R, emergency leave
or just returning back to Germany or the US for whatever reason. It‘s a treat
to see them when we can, but if SGT Lierly ever offers to drive you somewhere
and it‘s a manual transmission, take my advice, don‘t get in the car!
Near and dear to all of us is our security Squad, led by Sergeants Olszewski,
Villalobos, Nesbit, Strickland and Corporal Kimball…every day that we are
outside of the base, this team of leaders and their Soldiers keeps us
Sheriff Miller’s Page
Page 2 Issue 1
LTC Miller Sporting the Latest Afghan Fashions &
Presenting Combat Patches to the Staff.
safe when we are traveling on the roads or flying in air-
craft.
All said, the TEAM is rolling up their sleeves… getting after
the tasks assigned and making a difference to people of
Afghanistan, by bringing security, a friendly embrace…
always ―Shoulder-to-shoulder‖! We share the joys, disap-
pointments, sorrows and the many successes….always
―Shoulder to shoulder‖! The path forward is clear, the
intensity and desire to make it work is present…ever pre-
sent in the eyes of every Soldier. It‘s not an easy mission
but it‘s a worthy mission—we will make a difference.
God Bless all our Soldiers, Families and Civilians. From all
of us, thank you. Superstars!
- LTC D.R. Miller
We have been here for approximately 60 days, and I
could not be more proud of the Soldiers of Task Force
Sheriff. They serve their country and the people of
Afghanistan everyday with no thought of their personal
sacrifice. The Soldiers of HHD are training and mentor-
ing the 505th Zone Headquarters staff, which is respon-
sible for the training, resourcing, and command and
control of all Afghan police throughout four provinces.
Their efforts are responsible for the remarkable pro-
gress the Afghan Police have made over the last 60
days. HHD simultaneously supports two subordinate
units and operates split operations from four separate
locations. This would be impossible to accomplish if it
were not for the dedication of every Soldier of the HHD.
From 1LT Kesselem mentoring an Afghan Colonel in
the art of personnel management, to SFC Fabian work-
ing endless hours to ensure that Soldiers of the subor-
dinate units are getting their much deserved awards
prior to their end of tour. From CPT Harris coaching an
Afghan Colonel on how to resource his police officers
over four provinces, to SFC Ortiz ensuring that the Sol-
diers of TF Sheriff have the resources they require to
perform their mission. From LTC Miller coaching and
mentoring Major General Fatah and how to best com-
mand his Zone, to PVT Mitchell ensuring the Chaplain
Arrington is secure when he is attending his flock,
every Soldier of TF Sheriff has made me extremely
proud. I know they will continue to serve their country
and the people of Afghanistan giving the Afghan people
a chance of a free and secure life that they would not
get without the dedication and hard work of your Sol-
diers.
- CSM Stearns
A Word From The Sergeant Major, By CSM Stearns
Page 3 Issue 1
First Sergeant’s Corner
Hello from FOB Lightning, Rough Rider, Superstar, and
Sheriff families. Since we‘ve been on ground everyone is
settling into the groove of business here, there and every-
where. With Soldiers scattered from the chaos of Dodge
City (BAF) to those living in the Tombstone (FOB Lightning)
and the select few living in the OK Corral (RTC) has made
for interest challenges as far a staying connected and in-
formed on day-to-day business.
As everyone settles into their jobs and the OPTEMPO here,
the Security Squad has been earning their collective weight
daily assisting other organizations here on Lightning to com-
plete their mission by moving them around to other FOBs.
They‘ve also been a primary source for keeping up morale
by performing duties as The Pony Express. Packages and
letters from home for everyone on Lightning reach their
destination because of them.
For us the snow is mostly off the mountains and the
weather is warming rather rapidly. As the weather has
made a rapid transition, so have the Soldiers constantly
seeking out ways to improve their surroundings and them-
selves while still maintaining focus on the mission at hand. I
could not be prouder of the organization and Soldiers that I
get to serve with.
- SFC Moss, ―Rough Rider 7‖
Command Sergeant Major Stearns “bonds” with SFC Moss during the
Combat Patch Ceremony at FOB Lightning.
SFC Moss Standing Tall at FOB Gardez
For well over half of the Soldiers of HHD 95th, this was their
first combat deployment. The combat patch represents a
Soldiers dedication to their Unit, and demonstrates the will-
ingness to sacrifice their personal safety and the comforts of
home to serve their country at war. The combat patch, worn
directly under the US Flag on the right shoulder, signifies that
the bearer has achieved the experience of serving in a com-
bat environment.
For many of the Soldiers, getting rid of the ―slick
sleeve‖ (army slang for someone without a combat patch)
was a big deal. For others, like MSG Chesser, with 11-
deployments, it‘s just another one for the collection. How-
ever, every Soldier in HHD 95th MP BN, is now authorized to
wear the patch of the 18th MP Brigade, and can do so with
pride.
At three separate ceremonies (due to HHD being dispersed
throughout Afghanistan) conducted roughly 30-days into the
deployment, the Battalion Commander, the Executive Officer,
and the HHD Commander all had the privilege to put the
patch of the 18th MP BDE on the shoulders of the Soldiers of
HHD 95th.
HHD Medics reported that at least 3 Soldiers were treated for
right arm and shoulder cramps after extensive flexing as they
showed off the new patch.
Congratulations to all the Soldiers of HHD 95th MP BN for
your dedicated service to the 18th MP BDE. You have all
truly earned what you‘re wearing, and I am extremely proud
to serve alongside each and every one of you.
-1LT Goltz, HHD Commander
HHD Soldiers Earn Their Combat Patches
Page 4 Issue 1
The 18th MP BDE is the most highly decorated Military
Police Unit in the United States Army. It was originally
activated in September of 1966 and deployed to Viet-
nam. The brigade has since taken part in ten cam-
paigns, and has been awarded four Meritorious Unit
Commendations throughout it‘s history. The 95th‘s
deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation En-
during Freedom is yet another milestone for an already
highly honored Brigade. A combat patch from the 18th is
a highly respected and sought-after accomplishment.
Symbolism:
Green & yellow are the colors of the Military Police
Corps. The fasces, an ancient symbol of the magis-
trate’s authority, and the sword for the military are com-
bined to symbolize military law and order.
“Ever Vigilant”
Symbolism of the 18th Military Police Brigade Combat Patch
Full Color Patch, Worn On The
Dress Uniform
Subdued Patch, Worn On The
Duty (ACU) Uniform
The Rough Riders Family Readiness Group has
been busy this spring. We hold monthly meetings
with a potluck dinner, which will now be held at
1800 on the third Thursday of every month so
that parents can take advantage of the CDC‘s
childcare that evening. At our March FRG meet-
ing, Jennifer Goltz gave a brief on educational op-
portunities for spouses. 1LT Benton provided a
class on sexual assault prevention and reporting
(SAPR) in order to inform spouses of new
USAREUR CG policies for civilian restricted and
unrestricted reporting options. The FRG also be-
gan planning for the Rough Riders Spring Fest on
1 April. The Spring Fest will include an Easter Egg
hunt, crafts, coloring, face-painting, a cupcake
walk, and a potluck. Both single Soldiers and
families are participating.
The Rough Riders FRG has also been training on
skills important for military families. In February
we invited Army Community Services to conduct
CARE Team training to certify spouses and Sol-
diers to serve as members of the unit‘s CARE
Team as needed. We are scheduling FRG Leader
and Key Caller training for April for all of our vol-
unteers. The FRG is looking for more volunteers
to serve as alternate treasurer, secretary, histo-
rian, and key callers.
- 1LT Diana Benton, Rear Detachment CDR
Holding Down The Fort — Rear Detachment News: By 1LT Benton, Rear-D Commander
Page 5 Issue 1
A Trip Down Memory Lane—The HHD Christmas Party was a Tremendous
Success. The FRG has Many More Great Events Planned for our Families- So
Stay In Touch!
―Peanut Butter M& M‘s and Hershey Kisses‖
―Energy Drinks: Red Bull, Monster, & Rock Star‖
―Quality Hair Products, Conditioner (for Females)‖
―Magazines & Books‖
―AA & AAA Batteries‖
―Healthy Snacks: Dried Fruit, Trail Mix, Granola, etc.‖
―Homemade Cookies & Snacks‖
MAIL CALL! Care Package Suggestions, From The Soldiers:
Staying in touch and connected with loved ones
during a deployment can be difficult. However
staying relationally fit is a different matter. In all
future newsletters, this space will feature tools,
thoughts, and ideas on how to maintain your key
relationships. Each new issue will feature a sug-
gestion on how you can keep your relationships
strong while physically separated from your loved
ones.
As for this month, reading can provide an excel-
lent way to stay ‗Relationally Fit.‘ Reading can
work on several levels. First, reading books about
relationships increases knowledge and enhances
skills that will improve interactions with your loved
ones. Second, when you read the same books as
the other important people in your life, you can
add more dimensions and depth to your phone
conversations, emails, and letters.
To aid in this process, the chaplain has set aside
books both in Mannheim and in Afghanistan for
this purpose. Contact him
([email protected]) for a list
of titles that can help you and your loved ones
stay - ‗Relationally Fit.‘
-Chaplain Arrington
―Relationally Fit‖: By Chaplain Arrington
Page 6 Issue 1
Sheppard's Thought: Balance
Chaplain Arrington & PVT Mitchell on mission in the Khowst Prov-
ince. (Below) Chaplain‘s Assistant PVT Mitchell looking excited to
enjoy some local cuisine with the Afghan National Police (ANP).
‘Most of our conflicts and difficulties come from trying to deal with the spiri-
tual and practical aspects of our life separately instead of realizing them as
pairs of one whole.’
A remarkable woman of many talents, Evelyn Underhill lived from 1875-1941. Born in England she began writing at
the age of 16, was a first-class bookbinder, traveled frequently to France and Italy, designed wood and metal works
that her husband created, was a formal student of a well known Christian mystic, conducted spiritual retreats, and
severed in the Africa naval intelligence department during WWI. In her book entitled The Spiritual Life, she makes
the following observation about the balance between the practical and spiritual aspects of our reality.
We are more than just physical being with practical issues. We are all spiritual beings whether we admit it or not. As
such, we cannot effectively handle daily, practical life without addressing the spiritual dimension of our being. Not
addressing the spiritual aspect of life will cause imbalance in our nature and result in failure and dismay. To be
complete and content people we must not neglect either the physical or the spiritual aspects our existence.
Seek to be a balanced individual, developing both the physical and spiritual aspects of your being.
Important Contact Information:
MARCH & APRIL BIRTHDAYS:
SFC Jean “BO” Jacquet March 2nd
PFC Shambria Richardson March 5th
PFC Jacob Branch April 2nd
SFC Timothy McKay April 2nd
1LT Timothy Kesselem April 4th
SPC Ryan Killoran April 5th
MSG Andrew Chesser April 13th
CPT Claudia Harris April 13th
PFC Paul White April 13th
CPT (CH) Andrew Arrington April 17th
SGT Dustin Lierly April 19th
1LT Ryan Goltz April 20th
SGT Lelovi Slosser April 23rd
Task Force Sheriff Monthly: Your Connection to the Wild West...
out to be coincidental that he embedded this time with the
Superstars, he says it is great to see familiar faces from Iraq.
Both Gordon and Johnson are eagerly looking forward to learn-
ing more about MPs in action and are currently reporting their
experiences on a running blog at www.warrior-
police.blogspot.com and on Gordon‘s Facebook page.
Arriving at FOB Lightning this week, two writers are now em-
bedded with the 95th MP Battalion. They are writing a book
about Military Police in the war and intend to stay approxi-
mately two months with us in order to finalize their research.
The scope of the book – to be titled Warrior Police and pub-
lished by St Martin‘s Press in January 2011 – includes MP
operations in Iraq, Guantanamo, and Afghanistan. Having al-
ready been to the first two, Afghanistan is the only missing
piece of their research.
The two writers – Gordon Cucullu and Companion (who writes
under the name Avery Johnson) – are eager to relate to the
American public the story of the Military Police Corps in mod-
ern war. Gordon is a retired Special Forces lieutenant colonel,
having served from 1967-87 including combat tours in Viet-
nam and El Salvador. Johnson was a domestic terrorism ex-
pert for more than a decade.
Interestingly, Gordon was embedded with the 18th MP Brigade
in Iraq in April-May 2008 and spent more than a week at FOB
Rustimayah with the 95th MP Battalion, then commanded by
LTC John Bogdan and CSM Brenda Curfman. While it turned
Writers Embedded with the Superstars
Cucullu and Johnson at FOB Lightning.
HHD 95th MP BN Mailing Address:
―Soldier Rank & Name‖
HHD 95th MP BN
Task Force Sheriff
FOB Lightning (or BAF)
APO AE, 09354
Useful Resources:
FRG Leader (Alicia Kunz):
H: 0621-724-91999
C: 0151-5174-9902
BN Senior Spouses:
Heidi Miller:
H: 0621-3288-6689
Mimi Harvill:
H: 0621-724-7145
H
A
P
P
Y
B
I
R
T
H
D
A
Y
Rear-D Commander:
(1LT Benton)
C: 0151-5758-5301
Det. Senior Spouse:
Jennifer Goltz:
H: 0621-410-78876
―A Picture Says A Thousand Words…‖
Page 8 Issue 1
―A Picture Says A Thousand Words…‖
Page 9 Issue 1
―A Picture Says A Thousand Words…‖
Page 10 Issue 1
―A Picture Says A Thousand Words…‖
Page 11 Issue 1