1. Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div.
Firing from the hip
Vol. 2, Issue 3 January 31, 2014
“Assassins” display their
anti-tank capabilities
Photos by Sgt. Marcus Fichtl
2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
A Bradley Fighting Vehicle from Company A, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., fires a tube launched optically wired missile during a live fire at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 22.
A Soldier from Company A, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., fires an M136 AT4-Anti Tank
Weapon during a live fire at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 22.
A Soldier from Company A, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., carries a pair of empty
tube launched optically wired missile tubes during a live fire at Camp Buehring,
Kuwait, Jan. 22.
2. Page 2
Warhorse Pride
Vol. 2, Issue 3 January 31, 2014
Pfc. Sean Stroop, combat engineer, Company C, 2nd STB, prepares to throw his grappling hook during engineer qualification tables at Udairi Range Complex, near Camp Buehring,
Kuwait, Jan. 14.
Engineers Grapple For Best Squad
Story and photo by Sgt. Matt Waymire
2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
C
AMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Combat engineers from
Company C, 2nd STB, competed in a 24-hour squad level
engineer qualification tables contest at Udairi Range
Complex, near Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 14.
The event started with a timed twelve-mile road march followed by
five training lanes that included route reconnaissance, clear and mark
an obstacle, establish an eleven-row wire obstacle, build a triplestrand wire obstacle and finished with a demolitions testing lane.
The unit’s command wanted to test all the squads in the company
to see which one had the best teamwork and leadership abilities.
“Everyone’s getting training value, but the squad leaders are the
ones being evaluated,” said1st Lt. Timothy Dwyer, executive officer,
Company C, 2nd STB.
Squads tactically navigated to each point while reacting to enemy
contact, and provided first aid and conducted medical evacuation
procedures when necessary.
“It’s the extenuating circumstances that they’re mostly being
evaluated on,” said Dwyer. “It’s being under stress, having to react to
contact, and then carry out the mission all in a three hour timeframe,
and then move to the next lane that’s really the challenge.”
The engineers went out to the lanes already knowing how
to complete them; determining how to accomplish them together
would determine victory.
“This will help us learn about teamwork because in order
to complete these tasks, we had to finish as a team,” said Pfc. Cortez
Jackson, combat engineer, Company C, 2nd STB. “You’re only as
strong as your weakest link. Once you get him through, then it
brings up the morale and gets everybody through.”
Some of the rigors of the training included a lack of sleep,
traveling long distances in full battle uniform, and operating with
constant harassment from simulated enemies.
The winning team was the 2nd squad of the 4th platoon.
They received a ceremonial plaque for the squad as a whole that
will pass down to the next winning squad, but all the individual
squad members received Army Achievement Medals for their
contributions.
3. Page 3
Warhorse Pride
Vol. 2, Issue 3 January 31, 2014
‘Cherokee’ gets new commander
Newly inducted Noncommissioned officers, 204th BSB, swear into the NCO Corps during the 204th BSB’s NCO Induction Ceremony at the post theater, Jan. 23.
204th BSB inducts new Noncommissioned Officers
Story and photo by Sgt. Marcus Fichtl
2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
C
AMP BEUHRING, Kuwait – “No one is more professional
than I, I am a noncommissioned officer, a leader of Soldiers,”
19 noncommissioned officers from the 204th BSB, proclaimed
during the 204th BSB’s NCO Induction Ceremony at Camp Buehring’s
theater, Jan. 23.
Presided by Command Sgt. Maj, Robert Lehtonen, senior enlisted
leader 2nd ABCT, and Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Burney, senior enlisted
leader, 204th BSB, the ceremony signified the transition from follower
to leader.
“The journey from a junior enlisted Soldier to a junior NCO is
complex,” said Lehtonen. “You must transition from one who was
cared for, to one who cares for others, and from one who was taught, to
the one who teaches, prepares and supervises the task. You will do the
job you are trained to do, which is to lead Soldiers.”
The 19 NCOs walked under an arch with the light shown on them
as their sergeant declared to the theater who they are and why they
deserved to join the NCO Corps.
Sgt. Tristan Meredith, information technology specialist,
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 204th BSB, the most
junior of the NCOs being inducted, lead his fellow inductees during
their transition.
With just under a month with stripes on his chest, Meredith was
undaunted.
“We’re all NCOs regardless of how long we’ve had our ranks pinned
on,” said Meredith. “You have to have perspective, you have to realize
you are in charge of people, you have to work as a team. What you and
those you lead do reflects upon you as a leader.”
Of the seven Army values, respect drove Meredith to become an
NCO.
“Respect goes a long way, if it’s not given, if it’s not there, its going
be hard to work together,” said Meredith. “When I was in Korea, I had
a first sergeant who respected us, she still laid down the law when she
had to, but how she treated us, why I wanted to strive for bigger things
in the Army.”
Lehtonen ended his speech by having the newly inducted NCOs
take out a notepad and a pen, one that they’ll never put back into their
pockets.
“You have just begun a test, this test will never end, you will always
be somebody’s sergeant even after you hang up the boots for good.
4. Page 4
Warhorse Pride
Vol. 2, Issue 3 January 31, 2014
Female soldiers from the 2nd ABCT, attend the inaugural Sisters-in-arms meeting at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 21. Sixty-seven female soldiers attended the event.
Warhorse Sisters in Arms Kicks Off
Story and photo by Sgt. Jarrad Spinner
2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
C
AMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Female soldiers from the 2nd
ABCT, conducted the inaugural meeting for the Sisters-inArms program at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 21.
The event allowed female Soldiers from across the brigade to
interact and get to know a little about each other, while promoting
development and mentorship.
“The intent was a meet and greet to familiarize the ladies with
the program,” said Maj. Tara Smith, Brigade Logistics Support Team
Chief, 407th Army Field Support Brigade and event planner. “The next
events will be more in-depth and topic based.”
The first Sister-in-Arms meeting in Brigade history started with an
explanation of how the program will work followed by each Soldier
introducing herself and what her job is.
Spc. Abbie Hunt, multichannel transmission system operator,
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 204th BSB, took advantage
of the informal setting of the group.
“I like how we introduced ourselves; we got to found out who’s been
in for 17 years, like sergeant Martin, that’s someone I can look up to,
she seems really successful,” said Hunt.
Hunt also valued the incredible knowledge of her fellow female
Soldiers.
“I think it will help because it has all ranks and grades of females
in the brigade so you can get mentorship from prior enlisted, non
commissioned officers, who have been in army for a long time,” said
Hunt. “They’ve seen a lot, they know what were going to go through
and they can also tell their stories and teach us how they progressed.”
The sister in arms program will continue throughout 2nd ABCT,
deployment as the brigade helps female soldiers share insights, build
relationships, create career success, and maintain positive moral.
“It seems like a very good program to go in the Brigade, something
positive and productive. It’s going to provide structure to a lot of
people,” said Hunt.
The program will have a meeting every month that will be geared
towards building confident, resilient female soldiers performing at
their best as individuals and members of their units.
1st Lt. Megan Juliana(left), 1st Lt. Christel Carmody, 2nd Lt. Rebecca Fry,
attendees of the inaugural 2nd ABCT Sisters-in-Arms meeting flash big smiles
during the event on Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 21.
5. Page 5
Warhorse Pride
Vol. 2, Issue 3 January 31, 2014
Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Ilerne, left, 2nd STB equal opportunity advisor, leads a round of applause during the 2nd ABCT’s observance of the Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Camp
Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 20. The “Warhorse” brigade invited all units to attend its celebration of King’s birthday and to watch his “I Have a Dream” speech in its entirety.
Day on, not day off for MLK observence
Story and photo by Sgt. Matt Waymire
C
2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
AMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – “I am happy to join with
you today in what will go down in history as the greatest
demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation,” said
Martin Luther King Jr., African-American Civil Rights leader, at
the beginning of his “I Have a Dream” speech that was shown in its
entirety to a packed crowd in the MWR theater at Camp Buehring,
Kuwait, Jan. 20.
The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
hosted the MLK Jr. Observance which included a moment of silence,
three guest speakers, and the full viewing of King’s speech.
Spc. Melvin Dockett, power-generation equipment repairer,
Company A, 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, thought that
watching the whole speech gave the audience something to strive for.
“A lot of people haven’t actually seen it in its entirety,” said Dockett.
“To see so many people of all different races get together like that,
especially during that time period, it gives me hope for today.”
Dockett, one of three guest speakers, gave his views on the impact
of King’s speech to the world, the Army, and themselves.
Other participants thought the event taught valuable lessons of
tolerance and acceptance within the military ranks.
“The military’s just a big melting pot, we have all races,”
said Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Ilerne, event coordinator and battalion equal
opportunity representative, 2nd STB. “If anyone might feel a certain
way, they can learn that they should just embrace their brothers and
sisters in arms.”
The “Warhorse” Brigade showed its embracement of King’s message
by allowing all units on Camp Buehring to attend its ceremony.
“It was really nice to see that we had such a big impact on the camp,”
said Staff Sgt. Ryan Fry, assistant event coordinator, Headquarters
and Headquarters Company, 2nd STB. “If we did something like this
on just a small camp, the sky’s the limit once we get back to the big
division on Fort Carson.”
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a way to turn King’s life and teachings
into action to help solve social problems. The service may help with
tangible or spiritual needs.
It’s an American federal holiday that occurs on the third Monday
of every January.
6. Page 6
Warhorse Pride
Vol. 2, Issue 3 January 31, 2014
2-8 Bradley Night Gunnery
Crews light up the night with beams of fire
Photos by Sgt. Marcus Fichtl
2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Crew members inside a Bradley Fighting Vehicle from Company A, 2nd Bn., 8th Reg. fires its 7.62mm coaxial machine gun during a night
fire at Udairi range complex, Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 26.
Staff Sgt. Eric Armes, master gunner, HHC, 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg. surveys the
gunnery range during Company A’s night fire at Udairi range complex, Camp
Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 26.
Warhorse Pride
Col. Omar Jones IV......................2nd ABCT Commander
Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen 2nd ABCT CSM
Maj. Chris Maestas.................................................PAO OIC
Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch..................................PAO NCOIC
Sgt. Marcus Fichtl...............................Layout and Design
Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch............................................Editor
Crew members inside a Bradley Fighting Vehicle from Company A, 2nd Bn., 8th
Inf. Reg., fires its 25mm cannon during a night fire at Udairi range complex, Camp
Buehring, Kuwait, Jan. 26.
The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the
Soldiers of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team,
4th Infantry Division. The Warhorse Pide is an Armyfunded news-letter authorized under provision of AR
360-1.
Contents of the Warhorse Pride are not necessarily
the view of, nor endorsed by the U.S. government,
Department of Defense, Department of the Army
or the 4th Infantry Division. All editorial content of
The Warhorse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and
approved by the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team
Public Affairs Office.
The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles, commentary
and photos from readers. The Warhorse Pride
reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the
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All issues of The Warhorse Pride can be viewed
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Submissions should be e-mailed to the editor:
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