Family and Friends of the Legion, The last few months have been exceptionally tumultuous for the Legion, but the professionalism and dedication that your Soldiers display everyday has made it appear as if it was business as usual. Many of you have already learned that the Brigade is no longer on orders to deploy to Afghanistan next spring. The change in plans is a result of shifting priorities at the Department of Defense, and changes to conditions in the strategic environment. While the deployment order may have changed, the mission of the Legion has not. We remain prepared to deploy and win our Nation’s wars whenever and wherever we are needed, and I am certain that our training plan will ensure success regardless of the mission. This summer will be a busy time for the Legion. After we complete platoon live fire training and Stryker qualification the Brigade will conduct both Expert Infantryman’s Badge and Expert Field Medical Badge testing. These tests are critical events in the professional development of our Soldiers, and I’m looking forward to presenting these awards to our Legionnaires. At the end of these training events, we will take some well earned block leave prior to the start of the next round of training events. As the snow finally begins its retreat for the summer, I once again encourage you to take advantage of all that summer in Alaska has to offer. The outdoor opportunities are limitless, and there are numerous sports programs for children of all ages and interests. Equipment and training for several summer sports are available through MWR and Outdoor Recreation. And if the outdoors aren’t calling your name, there are a variety of organizations that would welcome you to volunteer your time and support our Soldiers. I appreciate the dedication and support that you show in support of your Soldier and to the Legion he serves, especially in these times of rapidly changing missions and requirements. I’m well aware of the stress that these changes can cause, and I want you to know that your support is critical to his performance. The Leaders and Soldiers of the Legion are fully prepared for whatever mission is assigned to us, and CSM Sims and I are both certain that the readiness and desire of the Legion to win is without equal. Volume 2 Issue 2 1st Battalion 24th Infantry Fort Wainwright, Alaska May 2013 This Newsletter Contains Official Information. Notes From the Command Team
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Transcript
Family and Friends of the Legion,
The last few months have been exceptionally tumultuous for the Legion, but the professionalism and dedication that
your Soldiers display everyday has made it appear as if it was business as usual.
Many of you have already learned that the Brigade is no longer on orders to deploy to Afghanistan next spring. The
change in plans is a result of shifting priorities at the Department of Defense, and changes to conditions in the strategic
environment. While the deployment order may have changed, the mission of the Legion has not. We remain prepared to
deploy and win our Nation’s wars whenever and wherever we are needed, and I am certain that our training plan will ensure
success regardless of the mission.
This summer will be a busy time for the Legion. After we complete platoon live fire training and Stryker qualification
the Brigade will conduct both Expert Infantryman’s Badge and Expert Field Medical Badge testing. These tests are critical
events in the professional development of our Soldiers, and I’m looking forward to presenting these awards to our
Legionnaires. At the end of these training events, we will take some well earned block leave prior to the start of the next
round of training events.
As the snow finally begins its retreat for the summer, I once again encourage you to take advantage of all that
summer in Alaska has to offer. The outdoor opportunities are limitless, and there are numerous sports programs for children
of all ages and interests. Equipment and training for several summer sports are available through MWR and Outdoor
Recreation. And if the outdoors aren’t calling your name, there are a variety of organizations that would welcome you to
volunteer your time and support our Soldiers.
I appreciate the dedication and support that you show in support of your Soldier and to the Legion he serves,
especially in these times of rapidly changing missions and requirements. I’m well aware of the stress that these changes can
cause, and I want you to know that your support is critical to his performance. The Leaders and Soldiers of the Legion are
fully prepared for whatever mission is assigned to us, and CSM Sims and I are both certain that the readiness and desire of
the Legion to win is without equal.
Volume 2 Issue 2 1st Battalion 24th Infantry Fort Wainwright, Alaska May 2013
This Newsletter Contains Official Information.
Notes From the Command Team
Page 2 Volume 2 Issue 2 Deuce Four
Headquarters & Headquarters Company
Havoc Company Friends and Family,
HHC battled the harsh Alaskan winter and we now stand on the cusp of the best time of year in the North Country….Summer. Currently our Soldiers are preparing for the summer training cycle with EIB and EFMB being the two highlights for most. The last couple of months have been business as usual for our fighting men and women, we have executed Squad Live Fire, Long Range marksmanship, Forward Observer training, Mortar Live Fire, Small Arms range density, and Medical refresher training to name a few. In all aspects of training the mighty Legionnaires of HHC continue to set the standard for others to follow.
Havoc Company’s Scout Platoon has had quite a few changes since the last newsletter. 1LT Parker Olsen and SFC Christopher Mayo took the place of 1LT Newell and now-1SG Feldt as the new Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant in February. Scout Platoon tryouts were conducted in March, which resulted in new faces in the Platoon. We eagerly accepted SSG Joshua Oden, SGT Andrew Mesker, SGT Ryan Steinberg, PFC Jalan Pugh, SPC Logan Logsdon, PFC Gevantae Marshall, PFC Joseph Yanarella, PFC Mark Fountain, and PFC Joseph Fescina into the Platoon. The Platoon has stepped up training in the recent months, conducting reconnaissance practical exercises, long range marksmanship training, individual skills training, and reorganizing the platoon into 9-man
Infantry Squads in order to conduct the Battalion Squad live fire range. In the near future, our focus will be shifting into Platoon level reconnaissance exercises, and EIB fo-cused training for testing in June. We would like to con-gratulate SGT Noah Nowell and SGT Tracy Stevens for their recent promotions to E-5. Congratulations also go out to SGT Nowell and SSG Matthew Moody on their newborn babies.
The HHC Mortar Platoon has remained busy throughout the winter months into the warm days ahead and the midnight sun just around the corner. We eagerly welcome the spring and some new and future faces to the platoon family. Cain and Damaris Schuler are expecting Ellery Rose, Chance and Dana Thomas are expecting Keith, and Cameron and Alison Cushman had a beautiful baby girl named Savannah Rae. Sadly, with all the new additions to the platoon we will be losing one of our own, SFC James Keene will be headed to NWTC as an Operations NCO in May. He will be missed and we wish you luck in your new endeavors at Black Rapids. SGT Joshua Crawford’s hard work and dedication to his profession have paid off and he has been promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Brand new PV2s Christian Franclemont, Tyler Harris, and Jack Fracek also joined the ranks and are proving to be a valuable asset to the platoon. The mortar platoon has many exciting events in the near term, middle of April we conduct our Mortar Live Fire that will show the results of our efforts over the past few months. We are also beginning preparation for the Expert Infantryman’s Badge (EIB) testing in June. This event is a test of our major Infantry skills and is the gold standard by which all Soldiers are held. All of this training will eventually lead to a JRTC rotation in October 2013. In closing, I want you to know that your boys have been working extremely hard and you should be very proud of them.
Havoc Medical Platoon is focusing on expanding the skills of the combat medics and increasing medical readiness across the Battalion. SPC Johnson and PV2 Amell are working at Bassett Army Community Hospital as part of the Medical Skills Readiness program where medics work in several specialties to gain a broader understanding of medicine. We recently had 12 medics certify in Advanced Cardiac Life Support under the American Heart Association standards. Several members of the platoon recently went through Table VIII training which is required of medics annually to certify their medical expertise. Congratulations go out to SPC Amaral for being selected as Soldier of the Month for 1-25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) and US Army Alaska (USARAK). The Platoon continues to support the Battalion during field training exercises in the YTA and at
local training areas. In June, Medics will have the opportunity to compete for the Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB). This coveted badge demonstrates a mastery of medical skills and Soldier skills. Soldier will have to perform life-saving actions on casualties in multiple environments, conduct land navigation, and complete a 12 mile foot march. In the weeks preceding EFMB, the Platoon will focus on individual training and EFMB tasks in preparation for testing. The Medical Platoon would like to thank you for all the support we receive.
The Fire Support (FIST) platoon has been experiencing some significant changes these last few months. From January to April the FIST has been sharpening our skills and core competencies in preparation for major field exercises that are coming up in the summer. There have been several farewells as SPC Williams and SPC Allen exited active service from the Army and are headed to new obligations as civilians. Captain Escobedo has departed in order to take over as Battery Commander of HHB (Higher Headquarters Battery) at 2-8 Field Artillery Battalion. 1LT Dane Royal and 1LT Alan Cox also moved over to 2-8 FA to inherit their new duties as Fire Direction Officers (FDO). Even with the turnover all the new Soldiers have been training rigorously for upcoming events this summer. April 15th through April 26th FIST will be conducting a Fire Support Certification in conjunction with the Mortar Live Fire Exercise from April 22nd through April 26th. Upon completion of these exercises the Platoon is expecting to release their Soldiers back to the Companies to begin preparation for JRTC. Thank you for your support of the Fire Support Platoon.
1SG Fischer and I have the utmost confidence in this formation and look forward to our robust summer training that will surely make our Soldiers even more lethal than they already are. This Company has so many outstanding Soldiers and I couldn’t be prouder of our accomplishments, it is an absolute honor to work side by side with the Soldiers of Havoc Company.
Just a reminder, you can stay current with our Company by checking the HHC 1-24 FRG website and again, thank you for your unwavering support and dedication.
Fear the LEGION,
CPT Jeremy Teter and 1SG Bryan Fischer
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SPC Colton Amaral
Soldier of the Month for 1-25 Stryker Brigade Combat
During the last couple of months, the men of Ares Company have trained hard in the Arctic and have achieved much during the training events. In January, we made an attempt to execute Stryker Qualification for our Stryker Crews. We were met with challenges by extreme Alaska weather conditions that prevented us from accomplishing all of our tasks, but the time spent in the Donnelly Training Area was not a loss. We spent our time honing the skills on all the systems required for Stryker Qualification. We also executed our Squad Live Fire (LFX), certifying our Rifle Squads in their collective tasks. After a high-tempo January, February was a chance to catch our breath and focus on future training events. We were able to conduct some much needed maintenance and recovery on our equipment and ourselves before we executed another Squad LFX and Platoon Situation Training Exercise (STX) in March. We are very pleased and proud of the performance by the Rifle Squads in the Yukon Training Area during the LFX. It was very obvious that the Squad Leaders, Team Leaders, and Soldiers spent plenty of time conducting rehearsals and refining their knowledge and execution of their combat tasks. Equally
impressive was the execution of the Platoon STX. We are confident in the abilities of our squads and platoons and look forward to how they will perform at the Platoon LFX in May.
We are pleased to announce that we have had several promotions in the last couple of months and would like to highlight the Soldiers on their well-deserved promotion. Congratulations to the following individuals: SGT William Blandin, SGT Troy Curtis, SGT John Shipman, SGT Jordan Syracuse, SGT Robert Peterson, and SGT Harrison Johnson. Additionally, we’d like to make a special congratulations to SSG(P) Allen Frazier for making the Sergeant First Class list. Well done!
We also want to congratulate the following cou-ples on the new additions to their families: SFC Christo-pher and Emily Nehl and their baby girl Emmalynn, SSG Wes and Vicky Thomas and their baby girl Jennavieve, SPC Ryan and Janice Winkelbauer and their baby boy Liam, SPC Reuben and Raibin Quiterio and their baby girl Nathalia, SPC Sergio and Desiree Perezarreguin and their baby boy Zander, SPC Joshua and Britney Miller and their baby boy Weston, and SPC Donald and Saman-tha Long and their baby girl Alexis.
On a personal note, my wife Susan and I would like to thank every one of my Soldiers and their families for all the support during our time with Ares Company. It has been such a blessing to get to know everyone. We would like to welcome CPT Tadd Lahnert to the com-pany as my replacement and know that the Company will continue to do great things under his command. As al-ways, thank you for your support and taking such good care of our Soldiers. Take Care!
CPT Chip Kruger
HHC Photos
Ares Company Family,
It is an honor to be taking command of Ares Company. During my inventories during the last month I have been impressed with the quality of Soldiers and leaders throughout the company, and I am excited to serve with all of them. We are pushing into a heavy training cycle, with Stryker Qualification, Platoon Live Fire Exercises, and Expert Infantry Badge Training and Testing all happening in the next two months. I anticipate great things from Ares Company during May and June before we take a well-deserved rest during Block Leave in July. I hope that you all enjoy the (slowly approaching) Spring and Summer here in Alaska, and I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming months!
Warlord Platoon Conducts an After Action Review following
their Raid on OBJ Queen
2nd Platoon has had a busy month following the Barbarian Company Change of Command. Train-ing focus has progressed from fire-team to Squad maneuver training, which culminated with at the Infantry Platoon Battle course with a Squad Live Fire Exercise at the end of March.
Following the completion of the Squad live fire Platoons began to rehearse operations as a full platoon. For the first time in an entire year, the entire platoon began to practice as a unit. Platoon leadership exercised its planning mus-cles in preparation for two attack missions: One mission consisted in a deliberate attack on an “urban enemy out-post” which contained eight buildings and a full enemy Squad. The second mission was a Platoon attack to destroy an enemy communications site in the woods of Ft. Wainwright.
During the planning, Squads conducted preparation and rehearsals under the guidance of their Team-leaders, while the Squad-leaders and Platoon leadership planned for the mission. After the receipt of the order, Squad leaders conducted final preparations and briefings before the platoon rehearsed the mission as a whole. Sec-ond platoon led the way by breaking the ice on the Urban lane and demonstrated fluid execution while clearing the enemy outpost of fighters. The platoon
Page 12 Volume 2 Issue 2 Deuce Four
Bravo Company 2nd Platoon
Warlord Platoon’s Skeet Shooters
Warlord PLT Clears Objective
Queen during Platoon STX
Warlord PLT Clears Objective Queen during Pla-
toon STX
Recreation/Family Life:
Several families have children on the way which are due within the next month: The Valles, Kozaks, Yazzies, all
are expecting new arrivals in the April to May time frame. The Germanys are also expecting as of the past month,
their child is due around January of next year.
Following the return from the Squad Live Fire the Commander released the company early in order to participate in Birch Hill’s March Maddness Family Fun
Festival. 2nd Platoon entered two teams in the Skeet shooting competition. One Warlord Platoon team took
second place in the competition behind a team of aviators that sported their semi-professional shooting uniforms. Warlord’s other team took 4th place in the competition.
Page 13 Volume 2 Issue 2 Deuce Four
3rd platoon is on the fast track with training as we finished squad live fire in March and just recently completed our first platoon level training event with platoon STX. We are now preparing for Stryker Gunnery and Platoon LFX.
SSG Buthmann conducts a radio
check with a remainder of the element before moving to the support by fire
position.
Alpha team 1st squad se-cures the first building on the urban lane during PLT
Page 14 Volume 2 Issue 2 Deuce Four
Bravo Company 3rd Platoon
2nd squad reacts to contact
while conducting
movement to the objective
on the urban PLT STX
lane.
The platoon conducts rehearsals
of actions on the objective prior to
PLT STX.
3rd Platoon congratulates the following soldiers on their recent promotions: Team leader SPC Gregory promoted to SGT,
SPC Morton and SPC Gardella were laterally promoted to CPL and our PSG, SSG Gonzalez made the E7 list and will be
promoted in May. We also welcomed PFC Boyd, PVT Perry and PVT Ogle to the ranks of 3rd Platoon
Don’t forget to visit our BN Facebook Page for
the most current and up to date information.
1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment
http://www.facebook.com/pages/1st-Battalion-
24th-Infantry-Regiment/459819984038977?ref=hl
Page 15 Volume 2 Issue 2 Deuce Four
SSG Johnson and SFC Sink
operating the AGTS at the MTC for
Since the last newsletter, the 4th Platoon OUTLAWS have been busy training on a variety of tasks. A few weeks ago, the
tankers began an 8-week MGS training course, increasing their technical and tactical knowledge of the vehicle. The aim of
this 8-week course is to prepare the armor section within 4th platoon for future training events, gunneries, and operations on
the battlefield.
The mortar section has been exemplary in all tasks assigned to them. During their support of platoon STX, Bravo Company mortars have shown expertise in their ability to quickly support infantry operations in a simulated combat environment. With their professional leadership and highly competent soldiers, I am confident that our mortars will remain the best mortar section within the battalion.
SPC Clarke, SPC Lopez and SPC Horne prepare to provide mor-
tar support to 3rd PLT during PLT STX
Volume 2 Issue 2 Deuce Four Page 16
Bravo Company 4th Platoon
The sniper section, led by Sergeant Dailey, continues to train its team members for the upcoming possibility of sniper school. In addition to maintaining their training in an independent environment, the snipers have been supporting company operations during the Squad LFX and Platoon STX. During Platoon STX, the snipers made recommendations to platoon leadership on how to best employ the sniper asset within an urban environment.
Finally, congratulations is in order for Specialist Ethan Hotz and his wife, Jenna, for entering into the world of parenthood. A few days ago, they gave birth to their daughter, Lyla Marie Hotz
2LT Zaradich and SGT Guest
practicing emergency evacuation drills
in the MGS at the VMF
Bravo Company HQ Platoon
HQ platoon’s Arctic Tent
during Squad Live Fire at YTA.
During the month of March, HQ PLT supported Barbarian Company during the Squad live Fire Exercise in YTA. Vehicle crews had the opportunity to conduct dismounted training, when they were attached to line platoons.
Congratulations to SPC. Paul Navarette. Despite being involved with field training, he was able to make time to study, and win the battalion Soldier of the Month. He will now represent the Battalion during the Brigade Soldier of the Month.