Special troopS battalion, 1Sb baGraM airFielD, aFGHaniStan

BATTALION COMMANDER

reliable newSletter DeceMber 2012 – voluMe iii

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STB

RELIABLE 6 Dear Reliable Soldiers and Family Members, Let me start off by saying that your Soldiers are safe and making us proud each and every day. Everyone’s contributions help make the mission here in Afghanistan a successful one. We have been in country for approximately 90 days and time has gone by quickly. We ended November with a Thanksgiving Day feast, serving meals to Soldiers alongside other command teams from the Company up to the Theater Support Command to thank our Soldiers. December started with a bang as Officers, NCOs, and Jr. Enlisted Soldier were promoted and recognized for various achievements across the Battalion. We continued marching forward and presented four outgoing units with their end of tour awards. The 33rd Financial Management Support Unit, C/106th Finance Detachment, 215th Military Police Detachment and our Air Force Medics did an outstanding job while they were here. We wish them the best, but at the same time we welcomed the 230th Financial Management Support Unit, A/230th Financial Detachment, 396th Military Police Detachment, and a new group of Air Force Medics to our Family. We are proud to have them join our Task Force Reliable. Each one of the new units brings with them a wealth of experience, knowledge and history. I’m very excited that we get to write a new chapter of history together. We started getting a few snow flurries here in Afghanistan and we couldn’t help but think about Fort Riley and the holidays. In an effort to celebrate the holidays, we put together a Toy March here in Afghanistan. In Fort Riley tradition, Soldiers ruck marched from the Brigade Headquarters to the Bagram PX. Soldiers wore festive hats and decorated their ruck sacks with ornaments and lights. On our march we sang carols, laughed, listened to holiday music, and waved to Santa as he drove by. Once we arrived at the PX, Soldiers were afforded the opportunity to donate money which was placed on a gift card. Our Reliable Soldiers donated $1,500 which was sent to Fort Riley and we also raised approximately $200 to send to Fort Bragg. These gift cards will be used to buy toys for the annual Toy Donations on Fort Riley and Fort Bragg. Thank you all for your support and I extend to you my wishes for a safe and happy holiday season and a very prosperous New Year!

Respectfully, LTC Charles A. Stamm

“Reliable 6”

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Brigade Commander and Staff march towards the PX.

The Battalion Staff laughs and sings carols on their way to donate.

BATTALION COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR

REQUEST FOR THE NEWSLETTER BY EMAIL: jimmy.plata@afghan.swa.army.mil

RELIABLE 7

Dear Reliable Soldiers and Family Members, First and foremost, congratulations to every member of the Reliable Battalion as each of you were critical to the success of this battalion during the past month. Our Postmasters pushed 1,319,914 pounds of mail, the Riggers air dropped a combined weight of 282,095 pounds of supplies, and our paymasters conducted numerous rodeos in support of Soldiers who are in need of money and pay concerns. The Black Nights issued orders, guidance, and even served delicious turkey last month, while the Warlords are always on the road conducting Convoy support missions. It is a great honor to serve alongside each member of our diverse team, who continuously put the needs of others before themselves.

Recently, we conducted a Toy March and the altruistic behavior of our Soldiers was evident in their generous giving to the deserving children within the Fort Riley community. Benevolence is defined as an act of kindness or to give out of selflessness. It's that personification of our Soldiers that made the Toy March a huge success.

It is especially inspiring to see the motivation and commitment of our Soldiers as their current performance trends point to continued excellence in unit cohesion, communications, training and mission accomplishment. Your Soldiers have excelled at everything we have asked them to do. Every Soldier of this Battalion has the right to be proud of their accomplishments.

To our friends and families back home, the amount of packages we receive is remarkable, the outpouring support that continues to provide that smile, that hint of home right here in the midst of Afghanistan. As tragedies around the world and within our own country happen, it is our resilience that will move us forward.

It is my pleasure and honor to serve as your Battalion Command Sergeant Major, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

“Always Reliable”

CSM Thomas R. Moore “Reliable 7”

STB marches proudly to the PX in order to donate for the toy march.

Brigade and Battalion Command Sergeants Major ask Santa for gifts.

Happy Holidays! It’s been another great month and your Soldiers continue to do great things every day. The Durable Troop Medical Clinic (TMC) has been tasked with the Force Health Protection of all Soldiers within the 1st Sustainment Brigade. Not only do they provide much needed care to our troops here on Bagram Air Field but also those assigned to other outlying locations. This last month our medics have provided medical support for more than 20 convoy missions throughout the Brigade’s area of responsibility; traveling an accumulated 8,000 miles. In addition to the medics assigned to HHC, we have 11 United States Air Force Medics attached to the unit to help augment their mission. In the last month our eleven Air Force Medics returned home and were replaced by a new group which will continue to assist and provide medical support to the Brigade.

For Thanksgiving our Soldiers who provide oversight and contract management at Bagram Air Field’s Koele Dining Facility put on a world class feast for more than 2,800 patrons. Food preparations began 72 hours prior as the staff began baking a wide variety of cakes, pies and other pastry items. In keeping with Army Tradition, leadership from all levels participated in serving the fine meal which consisted of the traditional holiday turkey, ham, beef roast, stuffing, real mashed potatoes, and plenty of assorted fruits and vegetables. Truly a great meal for the holiday away from home! Early in December we welcomed our new Company Executive Officer, First Lieutenant Jeremy Mc Kee. 1LT McKee is a native of Minnesota and a graduate of The University of Kansas. He comes to us from the 24th Transportation Company back at Fort Riley where he served as a Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer. We look forward to having him on board as part of the HHC Team.

On the first of December we again held our monthly Awards and Promotion Ceremony. We were honored to present each of our 11 outgoing United States Air Force Medics with The Army Commendation Medal. Private First Class Pearce received The Army Achievement Medal and two Soldiers received Certificates of Achievement for their contributions to the organization in building much needed signs and other items for the unit. Three Soldiers received Good Conduct Medals and nine junior enlisted Soldiers were promoted. Additionally this month we had the honor of promoting Windy Ramel to Master Sergeant, Joseph Harrington to Sergeant First Class, Hein Tran to Chief Warrant Officer Three, Benjamin Greiner to First Lieutenant and Jimmy Plata & Derek Schuler to Captain. Finally, in the last 30 days we re-enlisted four more Soldiers bringing us up to a total of 29 Soldiers that have re-enlisted since arriving here in Afghanistan.

Best Regards, “VAN” “TOP”

C.P. VAN DELIST ROBERT P. MCELYEA Captain, Logistics First Sergeant, U.S. Army COMMANDING FIRST SERGEANT

HHC, STB

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CPT Van Delist presents SPC Huey with the Army Good Conduct Medal.

HHC Soldiers pose for a quick photo while serving dinner to the troops on Thanksgiving.

Nov 1, 2012 promotion of SPC Cross, SPC Guice, SPC Korte, SPC Meyers, and PFC Harrington.

Approximately thirty-four days ago we set boots on ground with an uneasy feeling of what to expect.

At this time we began our RIP/TOA process with our fellow Riggers from the 11th Quartermaster Detachment. Our Soldiers began receiving training almost immediately from their counterparts in every aspect of the current aerial delivery mission. Over the next few weeks our Soldiers settled into their living quarters by putting their own personal touches up throughout their rooms. Of course they had some help from SPC Addie who was more than willing to build shelves, desk spaces, and a multitude of other furniture. With all that was going on we were also trained in theater specific tasks. We received C-IED training, flight line driver training, and escort training to name a few. Now that we have been in country for over a month our Soldiers and NCOs have settled into their roles and shown they understand what their responsibilities are.

Being on post has become second nature to myself as well as the Soldiers and NCOs of the

Detachment. We have had individuals participate in events such as the National Guard “BAF Birthday Bash” where PFC Price won the male push-up competition and SPC Contreras won the female push-up competition. PFC Hernandez also competed in the 5K and finished in just over 19 minutes placing him in the top twenty. SPC Hall was selected to take part in the TF Reliable and TF Sword NCO Induction ceremony in which he played a key role in its success. Several Soldiers have already started to take advantage of the educational opportunities and have enrolled in college classes. We are also sending one NCO to the Promotion Board at the end of December who will undoubtedly be recommended for promotion to Staff Sergeant. PFC Seitz and SGT Cook will be competing for top honors at the Soldier and NCO of Quarter Board where I have the utmost confidence they will do outstanding. I have had the honor and pleasure to reenlist one Soldier, SPC Winter and one NCO, SSG Skogen in our short time here in Bagram. I always take pride when one of my own decides to continue their service to our great nation.

Our FRG back home has made the process of missing family and friends just a little less painful by

sending care packages with Christmas stockings inside. It didn’t take long for a Christmas tree and holiday lights to find their way inside our rigger shed. In just a few days we will be walking up and down our main road “Disney” with decorated ruck sacks and Christmas hats for a charity event called “Operation Santa Clause.” The truth is, every one of us wishes we could be home with our family and friends during this Christmas season. But overall, it’s not so bad being together as the 647th Quartermaster Detachment.

“ALL THE WAY” 1LT Shane Covert Detachment Commander

647TH QUARTERMASTER COMPANY

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On 1 December 2012, the 33rd and 230th FMSUs completed a Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority (RIP/TOA) in Bagram, Afghanistan. The 230th FMSU assumes responsibility for Regional Commands East, North and Capital for USFOR-A. The command team of MAJ Cegledi, SGM La Fond and 1SG Combs are excited and honored to be entrusted with such enormous responsibility and give credit to the works of MAJ Wilson, SGM Cosby and 1SG Baxter for a seamless transition with mission command of five Financial Management Detachments. In addition to the RIP/TOA, the 230th had the pleasure of promoting Cory Perkey to the rank of SGT and Tasha Martinez to the rank of CPT.

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230TH FMSU

MAJ Wilson and MAJ Cegledi shake hands as they transfer authority and accountability.

Soldiers in formation during the 33rd FMSU and 230th FMSU TOA.

SSG Smith pins SGT rank on SGT Perkey

MAJ Cegledi pins CPT rank on CPT Martinez

Bagram Air Field, <Afghanistan> - SPC Jordan Goslin spends her days supporting the warfighters of Bagram Airfield by counting, pulling, and preparing local issues for resident units. To date SPC Goslin and her issue team have pulled over 719 documents for issue; an average of just under 300,000 rounds per day. Since taking over the Ammunition Supply Point in June her section has issued over $41 million in ammunition. In addition to working as a member of the issue team SPC Goslin serves as an assistant to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team on missions to destroy code H (unserviceable) ammunition. SPC Goslin attended Basic Training at Fort Jackson graduating in December of 2010 and went on to AIT as an Ammunition Specialist at Red Stone Arsenal. She inprocessed to 60th Ordnance Company in February of 2011 and this is her first combat deployment. SPC Goslin’s goals for the future are to continue her Army career and become a warrant officer, begin a family with her husband and obtain a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice.

1LT David Carmichael 60th OD

60TH ORDNANCE COMPANY

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Getting Ready for EOD Mission

On East River Demolition Range

From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Bagram, Afghanistan, the 444th Human Resources Company (Postal) has hit the ground running since they arrived in November. Taking over at the beginning of the Holiday Mail Season is a challenge that they have accepted graciously and have performed amazingly. They are responsible for postal operations in RC-North, RC-East, and RC-Capital. This venture takes a joint team effort, with emphasis on the word joint. The 444th HR Company (Postal) is made up of a Headquarters which is an Army Reserves Unit, the 376th Army Reserve Postal Platoon, the 909th Army Reserve Postal Platoon, a United States Navy Postal Platoon, the 22nd Human Resources Company Postal Platoon and the 350th Army Reserve Plans and Operations section. Pushing mail to Service Members during this holiday season is a great morale booster to those far away from loved ones. The operation could not be complete without the headquarters section overseeing all aspects and providing life support for the Soldiers and Sailors of the 444th HR Company. The headquarters section oversees all administrative, logistical, and training tasks required to be completed. They monitor the status of all equipment to keep everything fully mission capable. They are the lifeline to all of the Soldiers and Sailors who are ensuring that mail is being processed properly and moving efficiently.

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444TH HUMAN RESOURCES COMMAND

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444th HR Company (Postal) guidon symbolizing official transfer of authority and responsibility.

1SG Baker salutes MAJ Burke during Transfer of Authority Ceremony at STB Headquarters.

Our new home in Afghanistan is anything but normal. We live in connexes. They are large shipping containers that the army uses for everything. On the outside they are stacked one to three high and about six to twenty wide. They have connected two connexes on the sides to form one room. There are eight people in each room. Four sets of bunk beds. The bathrooms are in the center of all the connexes, one for males and one for females. Our rooms on the outside are tan colored. As you walk in the door you see a set of bunk beds and on the other side is a set of shelves. You keep walking back and you see three homemade doors, which are just pieces of plywood. Each door leads to another room with a set of bunk beds. All of our rooms have heating and air conditioning. They are all equipped with lights for each "room" and they have outlets. There are some shelves and some lockers also. All the soldiers agree its way better than tents. It's pretty much like living in a college dorm. We all go to work every day and we have chow nearby. According to one soldier it is above expected standards. Soon we will be decorating and making these places our own. We have all the comforts of home on a smaller scale.

On my first day here I wrote a few words about our new home: The neighbor plays guitar softly as the sun sets. He plays a song of hope and faith. People gather outside on the porch to converse. The wind blows softly. Laughter echoes through the corridor. As it gets dark, the porch lights buzz and the air conditioners purr. The rocks shift and move as you walk by. Cars drive by and whisk away the day.

396TH MILITARY POLICE

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The 304th MP BN DET 5 has been on ground for two months and has already made its mark at the Transit Center at Manas. For the last month, DET 5 has been very busy with Customs Operations, VIP visits, involvement in the community and just all around clean fun. The missions have been heavy and the numbers have been rather substantial for those redeploying home. During the last month over 17,700 personnel have been inspected and cleared making it nearly 35,000 personnel cleared since DET 5 took over in October. Along with the personnel, over 25,000 bags have been cleared by the various agents that are dedicated to ensuring no contraband/drugs or potentially harmful materials reach U.S. soil.

All of this has been driven with guidance I from the man behind the curtains and at the the controls, SSG Michael Dalton the

Operations NCOIC. He keeps the well-oiled customs machine running by setting Customs Clearance procedures that are currently being adopted at other Customs operating locations. The leaders on the floor, “where the baggage meets the rollers and the X-ray machine”… Staff Sergeants Timothy Young and Donald Royce and their night shift counterparts both from Mo-Town Detroit Staff Sergeants Carolann Seever and SSG John Phoenix, enforce the standards that have made DET 5 very successful in

the performance of their mission so far. During the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visit, SPC David Elola treated him and his staff to an excellent tour of the Customs operations. SPC Elola was presented with coins from General Dempsey, SGM Battaglia and the head of the USO tour for his outstanding presentation. Not only is DET 5 setting the bar high for customs operations, DET 5 performed very well during the last two base wide basketball tournaments. The team managed to attain 3rd Place in both tournaments with hard, gritty performances from the following outstanding athletes: SGT Jason Hulse, SPC Caleb Rozet, SPC Skylar Lopp and SPC David Farrell. Along with great athletic talent, DET 5’s SPC Avis Greenhill volunteers his time to serve as the D.J. for service members at Pete’s Place. He manages Karaoke nights and also plays our country music favorites. DET 5 works hard and plays hard. We are a team in all we do. We are proud and honored to perform a mission that allows service members to return home safely to their loved ones.

304TH MILITARY POLICE

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Greetings from 267 Signal Company. The focus for this article will be on the 20 November PT Challenge. The origins of the event stemmed from the Leadership’s desire to challenge the Soldiers with PT. We do a monthly diagnostic APFT to keep tabs on the Soldier’s level of fitness, but we wanted to do more. My guidance was to create an event to push the Soldiers physically and mentally, incorporate some teamwork elements, yet be fun and give everyone a sense of accomplishment. After tasking out one of the Platoon Leaders, we came up with the PT Challenge. The PT Challenge consisted of several stations of body weight and sandbag exercises spread throughout the COP perimeter ranging from burpees, pull-ups, sandbag presses to the plank. Soldiers were paired up randomly with one other Soldier to complete two rotations around the perimeter for time. The team with the fastest time was exempt from a guard tower shift of their choice and had bragging rights over everyone else. From the Command Team perspective it was a tough course. We did our exercises with some pauses between repetitions, but we worked our way through the first lap. It wasn’t until the second lap that the lactic acid burn kicked in and I saw many buddy teams help their partners with the harder exercises. After about 28 minutes, we finally finished, tired, and sweaty. The winning team was SPC Ronald Cash and SPC Timothy Gardner with a time of 21:28. Overall, I was pleased with amount of teamwork exhibited and that everyone was giving it their best effort. It’s during challenging events such as this that I remember one of my bosses from years back saying, “A difficult task once started must be completed” and I’m proud to say everyone, including the cooks from 1034th CSSB, finished the event intact. Many Soldiers were exhausted from the event and happy it was over. One Soldier claimed that he would rather do a PT test any day of the week then do this again. But, many more appreciated the challenge and were already asking about the next PT Challenge. Sincerley, Oliver B. Highley “Warbird 6”

Push-ups: Soldiers knock out push-ups Plank: The Soldiers here are almost at this station. complete with the PT Challenge and finish off with the plank.

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267TH SIGNAL COMPANY