Mountaineer staff

Nine Soldiers are scheduled to be honored for their service to the nation during a 10 a.m. retirement ceremony Sept. 30, 2015, on Founders Field.

They are:

• 1st Sgt. Thomas A. Spies, 4th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
• Master Sgt. Travis S. Fisher, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division
• Sgt. 1st Class Simon A. Bradshaw, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div.
• Sgt. 1st Class Shannon L. Carter, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson
• Sgt. 1st Class Raphael M. Castro, 59th Military Police Company, 759th MP Battalion
• Sgt. 1st Class Dwain R. Lacey, Special Operations recruiting
• Sgt. 1st Class Andrew F. Niles, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div.
• Staff Sgt. Thomas F. Archer Jr., 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div.
• Staff Sgt. Robert S. Kmet, 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Airmen from the 21st Airlift Squadron out of Travis Air Force Base, Calif., ground guide a Stryker vehicle from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during air mobility operations at Victorville, Calif., Sept. 10, 2015. Soldiers from 1st SBCT partnered with the Airmen to deploy four Stryker vehicles and more than 40 personnel during training at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. (Photo by Sgt. William Howard)

By Sgt. William Howard

1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Helmet-mounted red lights danced across the inside of the pitch black belly of a C-17 Globemaster III moments after landing as Airmen rushed to unbind hulking chains from Strykers weighing more than 49,000 pounds, Sept. 10, 2015.

Soldiers of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, partnered with Airmen from the 21st Airlift Squadron out of Travis Air Force Base, California, to deploy four Stryker vehicles and more than 40 personnel into a contested area of the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, Sept. 10 during training rotation 15-10.

“Working with the Army is something that we consistently do,” said Air Force Capt. Justin Pletcher, instructor pilot, 21st Airlift Squadron. “This operation simulates going into another country under the cover of darkness, unnoticed and into an austere airfield.”

All of the Airmen and Soldiers involved faced the challenges of conducting a tactical approach by a C-17 Globemaster III at night and exiting from the cargo plane in less than 15 minutes before rapidly securing an airfield.

“One of the great reasons why we do this is for the practice,” said Pletcher, a native of Stoughton, Wisconsin. “I’ve been flying the aircraft for more than four and a half years, a little over 2,000 hours, and this is my first time doing this type of insertion.”

Minutes before the tactical landing, Soldiers ensured that all personal communication equipment, night vision goggles and weapon optics were ready for dismounted maneuvers.

Once the Globemaster landed and Soldiers received confirmation from the flight crew, everyone but the ground guides and vehicle commanders entered the Strykers.

The dismounted Soldiers immediately secured the area at a safe distance from the aircraft as the aircrew began performing procedures for takeoff.

Sgt. 1st Class Philip Streagle, infantry platoon sergeant, 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div., said the joint air mobility operations allow for Soldiers to get to the fight faster and sustain it longer.

“Light infantry units jump in, but they’re limited by what they can carry,” said Streagle, who’s been in Stryker units for the last 14 years. “We can carry a lot more on a Stryker, so we can support them. We bring a lot to the fight, being able to support lighter units.”

Col. David Hodne, commander, 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div., addressed the Soldiers before they left for the airfield and stressed the importance of their mission.

“You’re doing something that matters for our Army,” said Hodne. “Treat the entry into this environment as you would treat entry into any other nation that we’re waging coalition warfare with.”

Continued joint operations between the 21st Airlift Squadron and 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div., offers the United States military the ability to move combat power across the world.

Sgt. Ramon Gonzalez, infantryman, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, grimaces as he nears the end of the 12-mile foot march for the Expert Infantryman Badge qualifications, Sept. 12, 2015, at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Grady Jones)

By Staff Sgt. Grady Jones

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait — Functions checks on weapons systems, treating head wounds and tactical movement under direct fire were just a few of the tasks performed during Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) qualifications Aug. 30 to Sept. 12.

About 350 Soldiers from 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division; 82nd Airborne Division and 10th Mountain Division took part in the two-week event held by 3rd ABCT on Camp Buehring that tested their skills in various tasks to be considered experts in their field of work. The first week was for training and the second for testing.

“Expert Infantryman Badge qualification is one of the most prestigious things that infantrymen can do,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Winstead, Company B, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 3rd ABCT. “It reinforces our professionalism as a combat arms profession. (Earning the badge is) the infantry version of winning the Super Bowl.”

Conducting this event alongside fellow Army units proved to be beneficial in building camaraderie in the infantry profession, said Sgt. 1st Class Jared Holt, platoon sergeant, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, 10th Mountain Division, who served as a grader during the EIB qualification.

“There’s such a broad spectrum of knowledge among all NCOs,” said Holt. “Any time you get the chance to build cohesion between two units, it’s a great opportunity. I’m glad to be a part of this training.”

The test process for the EIB measures the mastery of individual skills through evaluations taking place over a five-day period. Evaluations consist of qualifying expert on individual weapons, scoring a minimum of 80 percent on each event during the Army Physical Fitness Test, day and night land navigation, 33 individual tasks testing stations and a 12-mile foot march followed by a tactical objective.

“The EIB demonstrates that you are a subject matter expert as an infantryman (which) is rightfully
difficult to earn,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Taylor, squad leader, Company A, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd ABCT.

These evaluations place candidates under varying degrees of stress, testing their physical and mental abilities as they execute the tasks to
established standards. The attrition rate is high among the candidatestrying for their EIB.

“It took me two attempts to earn my EIB,” said Taylor, who was a trainer and grader for the event.

Thirteen infantrymen were awarded the EIB in a ceremony a few hours following the conclusion of the last event.

“It’s just the greatest feeling right now,” said Pfc. Tylor Capadagli, infantryman, Company A, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., one of the 13 who passed. “I didn’t do it by myself; my leaders helped me a lot with endless days of training to prepare me and remained there to cheer me on.”

The EIB dates back to 1944 with then Army Chief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall’s initiation of the development of an award to honor Army infantrymen.

“The current U.S. Army Infantry Center Pamphlet 350-6 has been revised to standardize EIB testing throughout the years,” said Master Sgt. Rex Fortner,
career counselor, 3rd ABCT, and narrator for the awards ceremony. “The new test consists of 33 testing stations with a total of 37 possible individual tasks. The standards of these tasks are cross-walked with current infantry series Soldier’s manual and the Soldier’s Manual of Common Tasks.”

This EIB qualification was unique because it was conducted mostly during the night hours in a desert environment.

“I was definitely challenged during the event, but after earning the EIB I am extremely proud,” said Sgt. Ramon Gonzalez, infantryman, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd ABCT.

1st Lts. Jimmy Greene and Christian Botero, platoon leaders, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., earned their EIBs with all “first time goes” on every task. Candidates who are able to achieve this standard are known as “true blue” recipients.

“It’s very humbling,” Green said. “I owe it to my training buddies who got me ready to test well in those events.”

Regardless if they earned their Expert Infantryman Badge or not, this training event proved to be an effective tool for expanding warfighting skills and capabilities for all of the Infantrymen who participated.

Pfc. Michael Angelica, unmanned aerial system maintainer, Company A, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, talks about the Army unmanned aerial system with an attendee at the Fremont County Airport Airshow in Penrose Sept. 26, 2015. (Photo by Sgt. Jonathan C. Thibault)

By Sgt. Jonathan C. Thibault

4th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

PENROSE — Even though the Fremont County Airport Airshow had classic sports cars and flying acrobatic aircraft, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade’s static displays stole the attention of attendees in Penrose Sept. 19, 2015.

Multiple aircrews from 4th CAB, 4th Infantry Division, gave tours of a UH-60 Black Hawk (MedEvac), AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook and unmanned aerial system (UAS) static displays.

“The airport management requested our support for the air show as part of community outreach, and we gladly jumped in to show our support with an airport that we use routinely for certain training missions,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 William Ham, brigade standardization officer and AH-64 Apache pilot. “It was a fantastic opportunity and, more importantly, a chance to put a face to the Fort Carson aviation community rather than just aircraft that people see flying overhead on occasions.”

Sgt. Andrew Findlay, UH-60 Black Hawk (MedEvac) flight medic, Company C, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th CAB, said the event served as a reminder to the community that Soldiers are here to support them.

“It was nice to hear things about how we’ve supported the communities over the past two years,” said Findlay. “When we support these types of events it shows the communities that we don’t just train to fight for wars overseas, but we are also here to support them whether it’s for emergencies or just great community outreach.”

Sgt. Rawald Jarsagaray, CH-47 Chinook crew chief, Company B, 2nd GSAB, 4th Avn. Reg., said he enjoyed the support of the community and was reminded of the help the CAB gave during the 2013 Black Forest wildfires and Colorado floods.

“We kept getting thanked for our service,” said Jarsagaray. “We had canvas photos of the fires and floods operations (on display). People told me of their firsthand experiences seeing our aircraft dump water on the fires and rescuing people during the floods. It’s a great feeling to be a part of a very reputable
aviation unit that receives a tremendous amount (of) support from the surrounding communities.”

Spc. Samuel Amore, unmanned aerial system operator, Company A, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th CAB, said that this was the first time he and his fellow UAS operators have been able to show off their aircraft at a community event.

“We are training in Fort Carson’s ranges a lot, so it is real hard for us to attend community events,” said Amore. “It was great to finally show what we do and give information on our UAS systems.”

Staff Sgt. Rasmussen, left, armored crewman, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, hands Pfc. David Morales, armored crewmember, Company C, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div., water at a checkpoint during the 12-mile foot march during the Excellence in Armor qualifications Sept. 18, 2015, at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (Photo by Spc. Gregory Summers)

Story and photo by Spc. Gregory Summers

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait — Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, and 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, competed for the coveted Excellence in Armor Award Sept. 13-17, 2015, at Camp Buehring.

On the left side of a Soldier’s uniform, a number of skill badges may be seen and worn with pride, each representing branch excellence or specialty skills. For example, infantrymen compete to earn their Expert Infantryman Badges while medics challenge themselves to earn Expert Field Medical Badges.

For the Armor and Cavalry Force however, tankers and scouts do not have badges to indicate excellence in their military occupational specialty excellence, but they can earn something that other Soldiers cannot — Excellence in Armor (EIA) Awards from the EIA Program.

The program identifies, recognizes and honors tankers and scout Soldiers in the ranks of private through sergeant who have demonstrated outstanding
performance and possess leadership potential, while also achieving excellence in their respective occupational specialties.

This particular EIA qualification was unique in the fact Soldiers tested at night while conducting their day-to-day deployment operations.

Staff Sgt. Elijah Sexton, master gunner, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., said conducting the EIA testing while being forward deployed was challenging, but teamwork made it successful.

“The brigade and battalion have other important commitments that had to be completed at the same time,” Sexton explained.

During the week, Soldiers were tested on a variety of warrior tasks and drills which included a 4-mile run in less than 36 minutes, a 12-mile foot march with a 35-pound rucksack in less than three hours, day and night land navigation courses, weapons systems tasks and armored vehicle related tasks.

Additionally, Soldiers performed tasks focused specifically on the M1 Abrams Tank and Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Those tasks included bore sighting,
preventive maintenance checks and services procedures, and loading ammunition, all within time restraints.

“Our tankers and scouts endured a grueling test of their physical toughness and mental aptitude in regards to the skills necessary to operate in a tactical environment,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Anton Hillig, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg.

After the EIA qualification concluded, 13 “Iron Brigade” Soldiers met the standards set forth by the Office of the Chief of Armor at Fort Benning, Georgia.

“The 13 Soldiers who met all qualifications will be formally inducted into the EIA Program by the Armor Branch,” Hillig said. “They will be identified for accelerated promotion and maintain key positions within the unit so we can benefit from their potential as leaders.”
After successfully completing the qualification course, the EIA will be added to their military records so their accomplishment will follow them for the rest of their military careers.

“Earning an EIA marks them as leaders amongst their peers,” Sexton said. “Having this award in your records validates that you have obtained excellence in your career field; it’s not easy to obtain.”

While adding 13 more distinguished Soldiers to the EIA Program, the testing also proved beneficial by increasing overall readiness throughout the unit.

“This experience has increased our operational readiness as a formation and has helped set the conditions for our future success,” said Hillig.

The Soldiers of these battalions continue their theater reserve and partnership mission and will have another chance to earn their Excellence in Armor Award next year.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Marschall, left, shops aviation maintenance technician, Company B, 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, hosts Maj. Gen. Auda Mohammed Alshahrani, brigade commander of the Saudi Military, Saudi Arabian National Guard, and members of his staff for a tour of the various aviation maintenance and logistics officers during their visit to learn about brigade aviation maintenance and structure at Butts Army Airfield Sept. 23, 2015. (Photo by Sgt. Jonathan C. Thibault)

By Sgt. Jonathan C. Thibault

4th Combat Aviation Brigade, Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) officials traveled about 7,700 miles to tour 4th Combat Aviation Brigade’s aircraft at Butts Army Airfield on Fort Carson, learn about aviation maintenance and understand the CAB structure Sept. 23, 2015.

Lt. Col. Darin Gaub, deputy commanding officer, 4th CAB, 4th Infantry Division, said the SANG members visited the CAB to learn how AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk operations are conducted.

“The purpose of their visit was to hear from our experts on how we manage fleet maintenance, especially the Apaches and Black Hawks,” said Gaub. “They also wanted to see how we train our aircrews and the processes we go through in preparation to phase our aircraft.”

Gaub said the visit allowed the CAB to teach the Saudi allies and learn how they conduct military aviation operations for mutual deployment contingencies that both parties may face in the future.

“The visit allowed our allies to leverage our years of experience in aviation maintenance and training, including lessons learned,” said Gaub. “It is also important for the CAB to get some perspective from our allies to see how they do things and the challenges they face.

“For example, we use computer-based maintenance logging programs that can make their current ‘pen and paper’ logging programs more efficient,” he explained.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Marschall, shops aviation maintenance technician, Company B, 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th CAB, hosted the SANG tours of all the aviation maintenance shops in 404th ASB’s hangars and said that running a well-tuned maintenance program can save an organization a substantial amount of money.

“We took them through all the shops to show them the importance and timeliness of taking care of the aircraft,” said Marschall. “(The more) aircraft you have means more moving parts and pieces to stay on top of. We elaborated that millions of dollars and resources can be saved (when a) proficient maintenance program (such as) ours is used.”

Gaub said the biggest benefit of the visit was the building of relationships between the SANG and 4th CAB members.

“There is no bigger benefit for two allies than to build a relationship built on a common bond,” said Gaub. “We’ve obviously been in the Middle East quite a bit for the last couple of years, and it has been proven in our Army’s history that making allies (is) beneficial to us. Multinational relationships are always critical.”

Soldiers of the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, react to an unruly crowd of role-players during day one of Warhorse Strike Sept. 29, 2015. (Photo by Sgt. Nelson Robles)

By Sgt. Nelson Robles

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

Infantrymen from the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, are occupying the training area of Fort Carson for their validation exercise, Warhorse Strike, Sept. 28 through Oct. 8, 2015.

Training exercises ranging from key leader engagements, crowd control and air assaults to convoys and live-fire exercises will verify 2nd IBCT Soldiers have the skills needed for future missions including an upcoming rotation through the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California.

“Warhorse Strike is our brigade-level collective training event in order to exercise systems and training down to the company collective level. It also allows us to exercise mission command across the entire brigade to include a brigade command post exercise in preparation for our rotation through NTC,” said Col. Matthew Cody, commander, 2nd IBCT. “The company level is the focus for our five upcoming training lanes that comprise Warhorse Strike.”

One of the first training events was designed to test Soldiers in realistic Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) under stress with the addition of role players.

“The object of this was that if they became complacent we’d throw more at them,” said Spc. Nicholas Hodges, NCO in charge of the MOUT lane, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div. “It’s to make sure they understand the importance of maintaining security in a crowded urban environment.”

The training started with a meeting between role-players and Soldiers that quickly escalated when the civilian crowds began to fight with the local allied forces under the watchful eyes of senior leadership and observer controllers.

“We are training for future missions which may be to a place much like (a major) city, sidewalks that are filled, roads that are congested and very little room for our Soldiers to maneuver,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Tennant, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd IBCT. “They used the local security forces well to corral the rioting role-players. That’s why we’re training here, because we are in similar situations like this around the world.”

This event is the first of many validation exercises to come that encompasses Warhorse Strike.

“Every Soldier will have the opportunity to exercise their individual skills that they have been working on over the last few months building toward NTC,” Cody said. “What’s important to us as a command team is that each Soldier learns something new every day.”

“Find something you can fix to improve not only yourself, but your unit. I want my Soldiers to train hard, have fun and be safe,” he added.

Lt. Col. Lucinda R. Wilson, commander of the 404th Aviation Support Battalion, speaks during the Hispanic Heritage Month Observance Sept. 28, 2015, at the Elkhorn Conference Center. Wilson was the guest speaker and shared her experiences as a Hispanic Soldier. (Photo by Jeanine Mezei)

By Jeanine Mezei

Mountaineer staff

Members of the Fort Carson community gathered Sept. 28, 2015, at the Elkhorn Conference Center to celebrate the culture and contributions of Hispanics in America.

The 4th Infantry Division Equal Opportunity (EO) team along with 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div., organized the event. Held annually Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the month helps increase awareness about important Hispanics who have earned their places in history among the most successful within their large, diverse community.

The featured guest speaker, Lt. Col. Lucinda R. Wilson, gave a speech in English and Spanish about her Family starting out in America. She highlighted how her Hispanic background helped shape the Soldier she is today due to hardworking values along with close support from Family.

“I am the first kid in the Family to go to and graduate from a four-year institution straight out of high school,” said Wilson. “I am also the first (in the family) to achieve the rank of lieutenant colonel in the military.”

Wilson is the commander of the 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th CAB, and is an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter pilot who has strived to overcome stereotypes about Hispanics to excel above her peers and break down racial barriers.

Hailing from Tucson, Arizona, she graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1995, which is the same year she was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army.

Wilson said that when she arrived at her first duty station in Germany, she was met with two reactions from her peers. The first was that as a woman she would not be able to meet the physical demands and the second was that, as a Mexican, she would not be able to meet the intellectual and academic demands of employing the Kiowa helicopter.

She excelled by maxing out her Army Physical Fitness Test, flying more hours than her peers and performing more training at the Combat Maneuver Training Center in Hohenfels, Germany.

“If you want to energize diversity, destroy and then shatter the stereotypes through your deeds,” Wilson said after sharing her story.

The event also featured Raquel Carney, an employee at the Elkhorn Conference Center who performed a traditional Panamanian dance titled “La Batea.” Carney was able to entertain the crowd with her colorful folk costume flowing to the rhythmic dance and with help from Soldiers in the audience who participated.

The event helped Soldiers and attendees learn how Hispanics have strived to make a difference while representing their culture in America. The Army represents a large portion of Hispanics representing countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

“We all have different values and backgrounds,” said Sgt. 1st Class Liza Wells, a representative from the 4th Inf. Div. EO team. “Understanding someone’s diversity and their values helps Soldiers work better together.”

Mortarmen from 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepare to fire a mortar round during the fire support control validation exercise Oct. 1, 2015, during Warhorse Strike. Infantrymen assaulted a position and called in various forms of fire support to practice communication with artillery and mortar teams. The exercise is one of several used during Warhorse Strike to enable Soldiers of different units and skill sets to work together to defeat any threat in future real-world operations. (Photo by Sgt. Nelson Robles)

By Sgt. Nelson Robles

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

Infantrymen, artillerymen and mortarmen from 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, converged on the hills of a Fort Carson training area for combined arms training during Warhorse Strike Oct. 1, 2015.

This particular lane, the fire support control validation exercise, tested the Soldiers’ ability to radio in for accurate support while on the move and also validated those who provide it.

“The platoon is going to move onto an objective using different fire controls today,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Hice, platoon sergeant, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd IBCT. “We will use the different measures available (such as) artillery, mortars and combat aviation support, synchronizing them as we attack our objective.”

The exercise involved Soldiers radioing accurate coordinates to their chosen fire support method.

“Our radio transmit operator gets a call for fire, he initiates it, I run the data and make sure it is correct and then we relay it to the guns,” said Sgt. Corey Cleaves, mortar fire direction control, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd IBCT. “We have three options — the 60 mm, 80 mm and 120 mm mortar systems — allowing commanders to control the battlefield with timely effective fire.”

The Soldiers said the support saves lives on the battlefield.

“Fire support is important as an infantrymen on the ground,” explained Hice. “You can’t always destroy a mass enemy with (a) 5.56 mm (round), but you can call for fire to give you cover or to destroy the enemy without putting your Soldiers in danger.”

Artillery organic assets have an important advantage as well.

“Field artillery is the only survivable all-weather fire support system,” said Lt. Col. Neil Snyder, commander, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd IBCT. “It’s mobile and we can haul a lot of ammunition. It can operate in a very responsive way, day or night, in any kind of weather condition for our support or maneuvers.”

He said with the battlefield constantly evolving, it’s important Soldiers learn these skills, especially going into their rotation through the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.

“Fire support is how battles are won,” said 1st Lt. Joseph Dedang, lane safety officer, 2nd Bn., 77th FA Reg. “Communication is always important with this type of training. It’s very kinetic and fast paced, so communication has to be on point. The commander has to know where his Soldiers are, where the fires are being utilized and it all has to be synced quickly.”

“It’s all about Soldiers gaining this experience,” he added.

As smoke from the impact zone drifted across the training lane and the smell of gunpowder engulfed the area, the troops returned to the starting point in preparation for more training.

“I want our Soldiers to have confidence that our fire support systems will enable them to get on their objective and win,” Snyder concluded.

Scott Schultz, left, foreign disclosure chief, Department of the Army, congratulates Kevin Basham, foreign disclosure chief, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, after presenting him with the Kevin C. Raymer Memorial Award Sept. 28, 2015. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jacob A. McDonald)

By Sgt. 1st Class Jacob A. McDonald

4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

A Fort Carson foreign disclosure officer received the Department of the Army Kevin C. Raymer Memorial Award Sept. 28, 2015, in a ceremony at the division headquarters, marking him as the top in his field for 2014.

Kevin Basham, senior foreign disclosure chief, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, was selected as the 14th recipient of the annual award, which was presented by Scott Schultz, foreign disclosure chief, Department of the Army Intelligence.

“As much of an honor as this is, and it’s an incredible honor, I’m actually more honored and humbled by the nomination and the (U.S. Army Forces Command) endorsement for the award,” Basham said.

Lt. Col. Bryan Love, intelligence officer, 4th Inf. Div., said this is one of the biggest awards in Army intelligence and is a tribute to the support Basham has provided to the 4th Inf. Div. team.

“A lot of things have gotten him to where he is today,” Love said. “He spent a little time in the Marine Corps, about eight and a half years, then he saw the light and joined the Army. I don’t know if it made him better or worse, but it’s good to have (him) on the green side.”

Love added that Basham’s time in service, including a combat deployment to Afghanistan, contributed to where he is today.

“The information and training that Kevin does for the (intelligence) section and the command at large is significant,” Love said. “Kevin approaches foreign disclosure at the Soldier level. Everyone got a bare minimum basic background that has enabled us to be able to grow. We have numerous entities coming to our post … and he has enabled us to be able to disclose information appropriately and legally.”

Love added that Basham’s training, advice, background and support has helped the division be successful and that he has “truly” earned the award.

Basham credited his mentors and the leaders in his life who helped him get to where he is.

“There is no way I got here by myself today,” Basham said. “I was really blessed early with some good mentors. I was able to get around the right people.”

He advised that as Soldiers or civilians progress in their careers, they should seek out mentors and knowledgeable people.

“Work on getting associated with the right people that know what you need to know, because none of us know it all and we need each other,” he said.

The award was created to honor those who exemplify the knowledge, proficiency and sense of duty required of intelligence and security professionals to provide commanders with precise foreign disclosure support. Foreign disclosure officers are designated officials who approve the release of classified and controlled unclassified information to foreign representatives.

Basham was also awarded the Department of the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, and a letter of appreciation and coin from Lt. Gen. Mary A. Legere, U.S. Army deputy chief of staff for intelligence.

Pvt. Martin Garcia, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, lent his body armor and helmet to Katie Valdez, Howbert Elementary School fourth-grader during the Oct. 1, 2015, Westside Walkathon at the school. (Photo by Scott Prater)

By Scott Prater

Mountaineer staff

Most of the 14 tank crewman and infantryman with the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, didn’t know what to expect when they volunteered to put in some extra physical training Oct. 1, 2015.

The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Soldiers traveled to Howbert Elementary School on Colorado Springs’ west side to participate in the second annual Westside Walkathon along with students, parents and community members.

It took some time for the students to warm up to the Soldiers, who may have seemed imposing figures in their Army Combat Uniforms, body armor and “light” rucksacks.

“Maybe a minute,” said Sgt. Taylor Warren. “As soon as we started, a fourth-grade boy walked up to me (and) asked to carry my ruck. And, that kid was surprising, he carried that 40-pound ruck for six laps.

I’m still pretty young, 22, and I don’t remember having that much energy when I was a kid.”

Coronado High School cheerleaders, parents and community members joined the Soldiers to make the event a tad more fun for the school’s students.

“This was a good change of pace for us,” said Spc. Pedro Benevides. “We’re around adults most of the time every day, so this was a great opportunity to interact with kids in our community. The students had a blast. They absolutely loved wearing our body armor and helmets. And, I think it provided motivation for us. It reminded us of what we’re fighting for.”

Capt. Casey Hudson, 1st Bn., 66th Armor Reg., executive officer, noted the unit and the school are connected through the Adopt-A-School program and that Principal

Deb Hawes told him the event would provide a good opportunity for the Soldiers to mingle with the youngsters.

On a cool, sunny morning, the students filed out of their classrooms, gathered on the school playground and buzzed in excitement as they saw the Soldiers waiting to march with them.

As Hawes blew the starting whistle, the students began their roughly 400-meter trek around the school, stopping only long enough for teachers to record their progress as they completed lap after lap.

Laura Tefertiller, parent and co-chair of the walkathon, said the event was designed to raise awareness about fitness and bring the community together, but it proved to be something more for the 1st Bn., 66th Armor Reg., Soldiers.

“These kind of events tend to tug at your heart strings,” Hudson said. “Last year, a few of us did this and we were all completely shocked when a kindergartner stepped right up to us and thanked us for our service.”

From left, Sgt. Sean Joseph, Spc. Jason Spain, 1st Lt. Marisela Butler and Sgt. Richard Guffey, all from 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, sort through donations July 28, 2015, as part of a clothing drive in support of local community organizations. (Photo by Sgt. Jonathan C. Thibault)

By Sgt. Jonathan C. Thibault

4th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

Soldiers with the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade have conducted multiple charity and volunteer events in the local community, but the last three months of collecting charitable contributions hit close to their hearts.

Members of the 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th CAB, 4th Infantry Division conducted a clothing drive to collect for local community charities July 20, 2015, through Sept. 30, 2015.

1st Lt. Marisela Butler, transportation officer and battalion volunteer coordinator, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 404th ASB, said the drive involved the entire battalion and provided a variety of objects for those in need.

“We had two volunteer represen­tatives from each company that handled the drive but every company participated,” said Butler. “We had a total of eight collection boxes throughout the battalion. We collected approximately 30 bags of clothes and household goods.”

Butler said her battalion believes in selfless service and it is driven to help the community in as many different facets as possible.

“We have many Soldiers from different companies throughout the battalion that seek more and more ways to help our local community,” she said. “We want to support everyone as a whole in Colorado Springs.”

Soldiers with 404th ASB have volunteered for many community charities that range from soup kitchens, churches and missions to public schools and house-building projects.

“We try to bring a new community outreach program once every quarter to broaden our volunteer spectrum,” said Butler. “We work close with Army Community Service and local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapters to find opportunities to give back to the community.”

Being a volunteer coordinator is an assigned duty, but Butler looks at volunteering as a great opportunity to give back, a trait her Family instilled in her at a young age.

Butler said serving the citizens of the United States was something all Soldiers volunteered for and that same devotion should be supplied to Fort Carson and the communities surrounding it.

“We’ve been called to serve already,” said Butler. “So we want to make sure that we are viewed in the community as professionals.”

Spc. Jason Spain, petroleum supply specialist, Company A, 404th ASB, said he already received a Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal but still feels the need to give more to the community.

“When I joined the military, I remember my uncle telling me to take every chance I can to help better the community I live in,” said Spain. “When I found out about all the great volunteer opportunities my unit had, it was easy for me to raise my hand to volunteer. It’s always good to give back, and there is always someone less-fortunate than you that could use what you don’t need.”

Butler said she will put her Soldiers in for volunteer medals.

She encourages her volunteer representatives to practice selfless service wholeheartedly and believes in rewarding them for their hard work.

Staff Sgt. Michael Perna, left, section chief, Battery C, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, briefs students of the Kuwaiti Command and Staff College on the uses and capabilities of the M109A6 Paladin self-propelled artillery cannon during their visit to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Oct. 1, 2015. (Photo by Capt. Shaun Manley)

By Capt. Shaun T. Manley

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs officer, 4th Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait — Soldiers from 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, hosted their counterparts from the Kuwaiti Land Forces during a partnership and capabilities summit Oct. 1, 2015.

The Kuwaiti Command and Staff College students and “Iron” Brigade Soldiers discussed readiness and capabilities throughout the day as they interacted at events to include small group presentations and equipment demonstrations.

“It’s good to see this unit conducting this event for us to learn how U.S. forces conduct operations,” said Maj. Adam Karabulut, a Turkish army officer and Kuwait CSC student.

Upon arrival, the 171 visitors were greeted at the Warrior Tent where they received a welcome brief and introduction by Lt. Col. John Elrich, 3rd ABCT deputy commanding officer.

“The opportunity to work with the officers of the Kuwait Command and Staff College is a privilege for the brigade. The students are the best and the brightest from their countries and appreciate the partnership between Kuwait and the United States,” said Elrich. “Our noncommissioned and junior officers always represent the brigade with distinction.”

After dividing into small groups to allow more personal interaction, the students moved through four separate events set up by the Iron Brigade Soldiers.

“From the time our partners arrived, I knew it was going to be a great event,” said Capt. Katreen Montefalcon, provost marshal, 3rd ABCT. “We worked extremely hard planning for a large number of guests and were excited to discuss our mission with them.”

At the Warrior Tent, Iron Brigade staff members discussed their daily duties and responsibilities and answered questions about operational planning and execution at the brigade level.

“I’m glad I got the opportunity to pass (on) the knowledge and experience I’ve gained in the Army to our partner nations’ military staff members and hope that it adds to their future successes,” said Master Sgt. John Call, senior enlisted logistician, 3rd ABCT.

The brigade’s tactical operations center, was a popular location for the visitors who received a tour of the facility and a briefing on mission command and battle tracking systems.

“The visiting officers had spent the last week discussing land component operations, so showing how our brigade combat team conducts mission command was relevant to their coursework,” said Capt. Robert Fenoglio, chief of operations, 3rd ABCT.

Inside the maintenance bay, an M88 “Hercules” Recovery Vehicle provided the students the opportunity to take a hands-on approach to learning as they climbed on and in it while listening to the briefings given by BCT mechanics and logisticians.

“It’s one thing to study doctrine at a higher level but makes it better to get close to the equipment and see it from the lower-level perspective,” said Maj. Fahad Al’ Mansoor, student of the Kuwaiti CSC and Bahrain Defense Force staff member.

The visit also included seeing M1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and M109A6 Paladin self-propelled artillery cannons.

The Iron Brigade Soldiers set up an interactive display for each of these vehicles and provided information on their capabilities and how the weapon systems are best employed.

Prayer, a meal together and a gift exchange between the military partners and friends ended the day’s events.

“It’s a good sharing of experience between everyone involved,” said Anwar Al’ Awadh, Kuwaiti Land Forces member and CSC instructor. “Everyone enjoyed learning about U.S. operational planning and equipment.”

As the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team continues its partnership mission in support of U.S. Army Central, its Soldiers continue building on their level of sustainable readiness as an expeditionary-ready force.

Fort Carson’s Paul Chelimo, left, World Class Athlete Program, crosses the finish line milliseconds ahead of Nicholas Kipruto to claim the first overall male to finish the 31st Army Ten-Miler, Oct. 11, 2015, Chelimo and Kiputro finished the race that began and ended at the Pentagon with a time of 48 minutes, 19 seconds. (Photo by David Vergun)

By David Vergun and Shannon Collins

Army News Service

The Fort Carson men’s Army Ten-Miler team poses for a photo with Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Becker, left, commander of Joint Force Headquarters – National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, and Command Sgt. Maj. Tim Guden, JFH-NCR and MDW, after receiving the active-duty men’s Commander’s Cup Sunday in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Lorri Martindale)

WASHINGTON — Fort Carson’s Pfc. Paul Chelimo led his fellow Soldiers to take the top five male individual spots and the international team title and the Fort Carson men’s team won its fourth consecutive active duty Commander’s Cup during the 31st anniversary of the Army Ten-Miler, Oct. 11, 2015.

This year’s Army Ten-Miler, which began and ended at the Pentagon, included more than 30,000 runners. The race course crossed the Potomac River into Washington, D.C., traversing the National Mall area.

As the Army team headed toward the finish line, the team members separated themselves from the pack and Chelimo was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 48 minutes, 19 seconds. He beat his time of 51 minutes from last year’s race, when he finished in 30th place.

“We were working together and running together the whole time,” said Chelimo, a native of Kenya assigned to Fort Carson’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP).

Chelimo finished microseconds ahead of teammate Spc. Nicholas Kipruto of Fort Hood, Texas. WCAP runners Spcs. Shadrack Kipchirchir, 48:20, and Augustus Maiyo, 48:29, led the Army team to the title. The four fastest times from each eight-man team were combined to determine team standings.

Chelimo said he wouldn’t have won without the help of his teammates.

“They’re the reason I made it from 30th (last year) to first this year.”

He said he’s happy he finished the race season on a win and will be concentrating on the Olympic trials in June.

“I love the United States, and I want to represent the Army in the Olympics,” he said.

Spc. Hillary Bor helped the Fort Carson men’s team keep its stranglehold on the Commander’s Cup by finishing fifth overall with a time of 48:31.

His brother, Spc. Julius Bor, 51:49; Staff Sgt. Norman Mininger, 54:11; and Spc. Cosmas Ayabei, 56:26; turned in the remaining qualifying scores to earn the team its fourth straight title.

Prior to the start of the race, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Mark A. Milley explained that over the last 31 years, the Army Ten-Miler has attracted 344,000 runners. While this year’s run has more than 30,000 competitors, the first race, back in 1985, had only 1,615.

The general also noted that some 100 wounded warriors, on various types of bicycles, “are leading the race.”

Eric Fanning, the acting under-secretary of the Army, told racers that as they prepared to run in the nation’s capital, elsewhere there are “Army

Ten-Miler shadow races all over the world, including Afghanistan, Kosovo, Egypt, Pakistan, Korea, all racing with you today.”

Fanning also noted that the millions of dollars raised by the race will go toward Soldier and Family programs.

Retired Army Capt. Will Reynolds took third in the men’s overall wounded warrior category with a time of 1:18. He is a bilateral amputee and ran with prosthetics. He cut his time down from 1:32 last year.

“I felt good out there, and I’m very happy with my performance,” he said. “It’s great being able to get in this environment with all of these active-duty Army service members and veterans. It’s just a great event to keep that Army and service community strong.”

He said he appreciated the crowds.

“For a motivation factor, this race is one of the best,” he said. “There’s never a quarter mile where somebody’s not cheering for you. It’s awesome.”

Reynolds said for him, the Army Ten-Miler is more than just running.

“It’s about that Army alumni and active-duty network and giving us a venue where we can get together every year and celebrate our tradition and our heritage right here at the Department of Defense headquarters,” he said.

Reynolds’ next run is the Philadelphia marathon in late November, his first with the prosthetics.

For Penny Nalband, from Litchfield, Connecticut, the race wasn’t as much about winning as it was about remembering.

On the back of her shirt, she carried the photos of two Soldiers, 1st Sgt. Andrew McKenna, a family friend who died Aug. 7 in Afghanistan, and her father, Steven J. Loomis, who passed away two years ago Saturday.

“I ran for them and for the men and women in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines,” she said. “It was something I felt I had to do because (for) every one of those who gave their lives for their country, I want to keep their memories alive — that’s what’s important.”

She said she was honored to run behind the wounded warriors and active, Guard and Reserve service members who were running in the Army Ten-Miler.

“Those were big shoes to fill, running behind them,” she said. “They were amazing. I can’t imagine going through what they do, but we have to continually support these men and women, especially those who return injured. We have to help them reclaim their lives. Running this race, it was just amazing.”

Editor’s note: Devin Fisher, Mountaineer editor, contributed to this article.

Soldiers of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stage Strykers near a tactical operations center during Decisive Action Rotation 15-10 at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., Sept. 14, 2015. (Photo by Sgt. William Howard)

By Sgt. William Howard

1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

FORT IRWIN, Calif. — The fictional age-old conflict between the oil rich “Republic of Atropia” and power-hungry country of “Donovia” caused destabilization in the region with terror caused by insurgency and displacement of innocent citizens trapped in conflict.

Soldiers of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, spent the month of September 2015, defending the notional internationally recognized border of the Republic of Atropia against Donovian aggression during a deployment to the National Training Center (NTC) in Fort Irwin, California.

The fictional scenario was part of NTC Decisive Action Rotation 15-10 and provided the brigade with experience in everything from stability operations to high-intensity conflict operations.

“Having first trained at NTC over 23 years ago, I reminded Soldiers and leaders that I walked away from each combat training center rotation a more competent and confident leader,” said Col. David Hodne, commander, 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div. “Seeing these great Soldiers perform with distinction in the Mojave Desert, I know they are more confident in themselves, their equipment, their leaders, and their formation. This brigade is well trained and ready to perform any mission the Army requires.”

Soldiers proved during the rotation that they’re well trained not only in their job specialties but also on fundamental Soldier skills.

1st Sgt. Eric Allen, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div., said the common goal of contributing to the fight is what led to the brigade’s successful deployment at NTC.

“We took on a mindset of every rifle, every muzzle, every round counts,” said Allen, who organized the brigade tactical operations center defense. “When you are defending and securing, it’s not about your specific discipline or your specific military occupational skill. It’s about the team, having a strong perimeter and everyone coming together inside your patrol base for a common goal so no one gets in.”

Soldiers such as Spc. Brody Cummings, paralegal specialist, HHC, 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div., became responsible for tasks like establishing the tactical operation center, maintaining generators, guard shifts, serving dinner chow and responding to chemical and physical attacks on the perimeter.

“It was an eye-opening experience,” said Cummings, a native of San Jose, California. “I know I didn’t do nearly as much as the infantry, but what I was doing was completely different than what I’m used to.”

By the culmination of the scenario and live-fire engagement, the brigade validated its deployment viability with the immense training value provided at NTC.

“NTC Rotation 15-10 was critically important to this brigade combat team and Fort Carson writ large,” said Hodne. “Not only did we get to test the tactical, operational, and strategic mobility characteristic of highly agile Stryker formations, but our overwhelming victory over the opposing forces throughout the entire rotation validated 18 months of effort in building the Army’s newest SBCT. I am incredibly proud of our Soldiers and leaders.”

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, rush out of their vehicle to assault a building at the air assault lane during Warhorse Strike Oct. 4, 2015. Soldiers of the brigade took to the field Sept. 28 to Oct. 8, 2015, for their validation exercise that tested military operations on urban terrain, coordinating exercises between battalions and warrior tasks and battle drills. (Photo by Sgt. Nelson Robles)

By Sgt. Derick Call

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

Howitzers fired, rifles rang out and Apaches strafed the battlefield as the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, took to the field for its validating exercise Sept. 28 to Oct. 8, 2015.

The battalions of the brigade were tested on military operations on urban terrain, coordinating exercises between battalions and warrior tasks and battle drills.

The Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment; 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment; and 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, started their training with a fire support coordination exercise.

The concept called for infantrymen from 1st Bn., 12th Inf. Reg., to assault a village, while under heavy enemy fire, and receiving mortar support from 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg., and artillery support from 2nd Bn., 77th FA.

“In this lane we allow Soldiers to put together all the assets that they will employ during decisive action,” said Lt. Col. Neil Snyder, commander, 2nd Bn., 77th FA Reg. “It’s really going well. We are seeing Soldiers learn and … develop confidence in using all the resources they have at their disposal.”

About 5 miles away, Soldiers from Company A, 1st Bn., 12th Inf. Reg., sprinted from cover to cover in three to five second rushes, engaging enemy targets at the movement-to-contact lane that traversed more than 3 miles through mountainous terrain.

“It’s tough; we are learning how to deal with being tired and making decisions in combat,” said Spc. Brent Horn. “We did a dry fire, and a blank iteration and now the live fire. It went really smooth, we moved safely, knocked down targets and did it with a lot of moving parts.”

A short Humvee ride to the west, the roar of helicopter engines and rotors signaled the beginning of the air assault training lane.

Squads from Charlie Company, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg., quickly dismounted the helicopters and reassembled to capture a “high-value individual” in a simulated village a few miles away. As the troops entered the village, they took contact, cleared the village and captured their target.

“I can tell you personally that I’ve learned a lot in this training, and it has definitely prepared my guys for whatever comes next,” said Sgt. Steve Alonzo, squad leader, Company C, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg.

While using blanks and a laser-tag type system to register hits, one junior leader took control after his squad leader was lost in the simulated battle.

“Our Soldiers were pretty excited after the mission,” said Spc. Joshua Shoemaker, acting squad leader, Company C, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg. “I really liked the training and I think my guys learned a lot.”

Col. Matthew Cody, commander, 2nd IBCT, 4th Inf. Div. said he is proud of his brigade’s heritage and looks forward to leading his Soldiers in future operations.

“Warhorse Strike gives every individual Soldier the opportunity to exercise their individual skills they have been working on for the upcoming National Training Center (Fort Irwin, California) rotation,” Cody said. “This was a chance for our junior leaders to work out their standard operating procedures, their troop leading procedures and their basic skills.

“What was important to us as a command team was that every Soldier learn something every day. If we do that we make our squad better, our platoon better and all of our units better. We are proud of this unit’s lineage, but we are focused on the future NTC rotation and possible future missions overseas.”

1st. Lt. Florent A. Groberg, officer in charge for personal security detail, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, enjoys the view from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter traveling over Kunar province, Afghanistan, July 16, 2012. (Courtesy photo)

By Sgt. 1st Class Jacob A. McDonald

4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

and

J.D. Leipold

Army News Service

Capt. Florent Groberg walked at the head of a diamond formation with five other Soldiers from 4th Brigade Combat Team (later reflagged to 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team), 4th Infantry Division, in a personal security detail (PSD) escorting eight senior leaders to a meeting with the provincial governor of Kunar, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2012.

The PSD had done this mission at least 20 times. That day the activity in and around the city of Asadabad was fairly normal, with no indication anything was out of the ordinary. Shops were open and people were going about their daily business, but Groberg was alert. He had been warned of the heightened risk of attack.

As the detail moved cautiously down the street toward the governor’s compound with three brigade commanders, three battalion commanders, a command sergeant major and an Afghan general, an ambush started to unfold — first with two motorcycles as a diversion, which the Afghan National Army soldiers accompanying the small formation managed to flag down.

“A man came out of a building to our left walking backwards,” Groberg said in an Army News Service interview. “It was eerie and looked suspicious. I yelled at him and he turned around immediately and then started walking toward us. He looked like a young man with a beard, wearing man-jams and dark clothing. He didn’t appear to be himself that day … most likely drugged.

“Sgt. (Andrew J.) Mahoney to my left moved in with me and struck him, then Mahoney and I threw him. I pushed him as hard as I could away from our patrol, because I felt he was a threat. I just wanted to make sure he wouldn’t hurt anyone,” said Groberg, adding that he had noticed an abnormal bulge under the man’s clothing.

“It was pretty evident to everybody at that point he was a suicide bomber,” said Brig. Gen. James J. Mingus, deputy commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, who was Groberg’s brigade commander at the time. “That’s when ‘Flo’ did what he needed to do to take him to the ground.”

The man landed chest-first on the ground. As he slammed onto the road, he released a dead-man’s trigger, which he had squeezed and held before walking towards the Soldiers. The vest flashed, sending Groberg, Mahoney and thousands of deadly ball-bearings flying.

At almost the same moment a second bomber detonated his vest prematurely.

When the dust settled, those killed included Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Griffin; Maj. Thomas Kennedy; Maj. Walter Gray, an Air Force officer who helped coordinate air strikes; and Ragaei Abdel Fattah, a volunteer worker with the U.S. Agency for International Development. Groberg and Mahoney lay injured.

“Had they both been able to get inside the formation, besides the four losses we had, it probably would have been a lot worse,” Mingus said. “He did what he had to do. It’s not a natural thing to put yourself in that situation. It encourages you to know that in the core fiber of your average Soldier they have the courage to do what needs to be done. It makes you want to be the best you can when you have folks like that in your formation.”

After the detonation of the explosive, Groberg struggled to regain control of the situation.

“I remember waking up in shock. My helmet was loose so I threw it away. I couldn’t find my rifle, but picked up my pistol and made sure I had a round in the chamber,” Groberg said. “I couldn’t remember what happened. I thought I had stepped on an IED. My fibula was sticking out of my left leg, my skin was melting, and there was blood everywhere. I checked myself for internal injuries and started to drag myself out of what was probably a kill zone for small-arms fire.”

Help came from his platoon sergeant, who grabbed the captain by the handle of his plate carrier and dragged him into a ditch. There, the group’s medic, Spc. Daniel Balderrama, applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Balderrama was himself injured, suffering from torn knee ligaments.

“We’re going to save that leg … you’ll be fine,” said Groberg, recalling what the medic had told him, before he hobbled off to help the next wounded Soldier.

Groberg said he remembers being carried to an armored truck, and that he wasn’t going willingly. He said he remembers that he had a lot of unanswered questions then. How’s his charge, the brigade commander, for instance? He learned the commander had a slight concussion, but otherwise, “the boss” was fine. Still, he wanted a status report and wanted to be the leader his NCOs had made him.

Finally, his Soldiers moved Groberg to the truck and loaded him in. He said he was still trying to direct operations and control all that he could; he felt it was his responsibility.

Then, a senior NCO stared him in the eyes and said, “Sir, I’ve got this — you’re done — now it’s time for you to recover,” said Groberg, recounting the words of the NCO. “Then he stepped back and closed the door.”

“That’s when all the pain came in. It felt like a blow torch was burning through my leg,” Groberg said. “Aug. 8, 2012, was not a bad day; it was the worst day of my life.”

Mingus flew to Maryland to medically retire the captain. Now the entire Mingus family will be there to support the man who quite possibly saved Mingus’ life as Groberg will become the 10th living Medal of Honor recipient during a White House ceremony Nov. 12.

“The proudest thing I’ve ever done in my life is to be able to wear this uniform and serve this country with some of the greatest people I’ve ever met and will always know,” he said.

Since that day a little more than three years ago, Groberg has been through 33 surgeries to keep his leg. He wants to run again, just as he did in college, though he knows he won’t ever run with the same quickness. He still has two legs and continues to push himself through the pain that exists both physically and from the loss of comrades.

“Receiving the Medal of Honor is not about me,” he said of the honor. “It’s about a terrible day that translated into the loss of four brothers.”

Mingus said he considers Groberg and Mahoney to be part of his personal Family. He said the retired captain has visited with his Family several times and they’ve linked up during his travels to Washington.

“I consider both he and Sgt. Mahoney as permanent members of our Family,” Mingus said. “In spite of our losses that day, our team will forever be in debt to their sacrifices that saved many lives that day. Our hearts ache for our losses that day and the others during this deployment, but if not for the heroic actions of Flo and Sgt. Mahoney on Aug. 8, 2012, there is no doubt that there would have been many more losses that day.”

1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, gets into formation for a redesignation ceremony at Founders Field Oct. 16, 2015. 1-4 ARB redesignated to become 6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment. (Photo by Sgt. Jonathan C. Thibault)

By Sgt. Jonathan C. Thibault

4th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

After being constituted into the regular Army in 1916, an honored cavalry regiment became part of 4th Combat Aviation Brigade during a reflagging ceremony held at Founders Field Oct. 16, 2015.

1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th CAB, 4th Infantry Division, reflagged to become 6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, as part of an Armywide aviation restructuring initiative, said Col. Lori Robinson, commander, 4th CAB.

“Having served with 6-17 in my previous assignments in Hawaii and Alaska, I am truly honored to have this unit as a part of 4th CAB,” Robinson said. “There is no doubt in my mind that the redesignation for the Soldiers on the field today will be easy because they have already been ‘out front’ since they activated at Fort Carson.”

Maj. Curtis J. Unger, battalion operations officer, 6th Sqdn, 17th Cav. Reg., 4th CAB, said the reflagging ceremony is not only a symbol of change with respect to unit designation and the lineage that takes form but more importantly it represents the increased capabilities for 4th Inf. Div. and the Army.

“While the mission sets remain the same, our capabilities have been enhanced with the addition of the Shadow Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) being integrated across our flight company formations,” said Unger. “This welcomed asset allows our unit to effectively leverage new and innovative aviation technologies to conduct manned and unmanned teaming operations between our Shadow and Apache airframes.”

Unger said combining UAS and Apache integration, with the tactical knowledge of the aeroscouts behind the controls, provides a more lethal capability to support the ground maneuver commander.

“The unit has already been integrating these capabilities into our training over the last two years,” said Unger. “This reflagging ceremony solidifies the transformation from an Attack Reconnaissance Battalion to an Attack Reconnaissance Squadron.”

Besides having one of the first female U.S. Army Ranger School graduates, 1st Lt. Shaye Haver, the squadron has already been leading the way for Army Aviation, said Maj. Tanner Spry, battalion executive officer, 6th Sqdn., 17th Cav. Reg.

“We are leading the way in manned and unmanned teaming and expeditionary operations by being the first to execute training on remote hellfire engagements between Shadow unmanned aerial systems, aeroscouts and attack aircraft at the U.S. Army National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California,” said Spry. “We were the first to conduct an aeroscout UAS gunnery and expeditionary UAS. We have also produced the first three aeroscout UAS operators to graduate from the Army Calvary Leader Course.”

“Although the 1-4 ARB’s battalions become squadrons and their companies become troops — as well as Stetsons and spurs and a lot of red and white paint will become more prevalent — I know the essence of the unit, hard work and dedication of the Soldiers standing before you will remain unchanged,” said Robinson.

Brig. Gen. James J. Mingus receives the first round fired by the Salute Battery during a ceremony at the Founder’s Plaza, Oct. 19.2015. The 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson officially welcomed Mingus as the deputy commanding general. Mingus has been working as the DCG since Sept. 29, 2015. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Diandra J. Harrell)

By Staff Sgt. Diandra Harrell

4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

Brig. Gen. James J. Mingus was formally welcomed back to the 4th Infantry Division as the deputy commanding general (DCG) during a ceremony Oct. 19, 2015, at Founders Plaza.

Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, presided over the ceremony.

“As the DCG, Amy and I see our role as simple: to help Gen. Gonsalves and Janet be the best commandteam they can be, to advocate and help our units accomplish their mission, to help our Soldiers, civilians and their Families and be good stewards of our community,” said Mingus.

Like Gonsalves, Mingus has worn the 4th Inf. Div. patch before. In May 2010, he became the commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, which has since been reflagged to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

“As many of you know, Jim is no stranger to Fort Carson and the Front Range, having departed … a few years ago after commanding the ‘Mountain Warriors’ of the 4th BCT,” Gonsalves said.

During his previous stint at Fort Carson, Mingus led the 4th BCT during its deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

“Many of Jim’s former Soldiers are here today, clearly a reflection and indication of the genuine and quality leader that Jim Mingus is,” Gonsalves said.

As Gonsalves’ speech came to a close he expressed his gratitude for Mingus and his Family’s return to Fort Carson.

“The 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson are truly blessed and glad to have Jim, his wonderful wife, Amy, and his three lovely kids, Nathan, Zoe and Luke, back as part of the Mountain Post and our great community,” Gonsalves said.

Mingus assumed duties as deputy commanding general Sept. 29, 2015. His previous assignment was as the deputy director, Strategic Plans and Policy, U.S. Central Command.

He deployed in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom 12 times from 2001 to 2012.

Soldiers of Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, carry the American flag while running with members of Team Red, White and Blue during the second annual coast-to-coast Old Glory Relay Oct. 8, 2015. (Photo by Sgt. William Howard)

By Sgt. William Howard

1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

COLORADO SPRINGS — “Do you need a ride,” asked a confused Colorado Springs resident from his car to a group of runners carrying an American flag during rush-hour traffic in downtown Colorado Springs Oct. 8, 2015.

But the runners had a mission. The Soldiers of Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, were assisting members of Team Red, White and Blue (RWB) during its second-annual Old Glory Relay.

“This year we’re coming through Colorado Springs to really celebrate the community,” said Mike Greenwood, Army veteran and Colorado Springs Chapter captain, Team RWB. “What we’re trying to capture with this relay is what our members are capable of doing. One of the biggest things that we do is highlight the strength that our runners have.”

Sept. 11, 2015, Team RWB, a nonprofit organization that supports U.S. veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity, began the second annual coast-to-coast Old Glory Relay in which 59 teams of runners move a single American flag across the country in a 3,540-mile journey from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

“The run was good. We had 10 guys from my platoon show up, run three miles per guy. I told them to go at their own pace,” said Staff Sgt. John Reyes, infantry squad leader, Company B, 1st Bn., 38th Inf. Reg. “We were told to stop a couple of times because we were going too fast. Everyone felt like they ran better with the flag, because it’s the American flag and you want to look good with it, so it raised their morale.”

Reyes added that they wanted to be a part of the Old Glory Relay in order to help veterans in the community and across the country.

“We try to raise awareness for Soldiers who are suffering from (post-traumatic stress disorder),” said Reyes, who’s been part of Team RWB for the past year. “I’ve been sober my whole life, for 33 years, and I’m trying to inspire people that there’s different ways to battle PTSD instead of abusing alcohol or drugs.”

1st Lt. Alexander Morrow, assistant intelligence officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 38th Inf. Reg., said it was easy to get Soldiers from his unit involved in the relay.

“We were looking for volunteers to run the flag today, and ‘Bayonet’ Company jumped at the opportunity, from junior Soldiers all the way up to the company commander,” said Morrow, who’s been with Team RWB for the last four years.

The Old Glory Relay continues through Kansas City, Missouri, across the Mississippi River to St. Louis, southern parts of Illinois and Indiana, Kentucky, the Appalachian Mountains throughout Ohio and West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia until finishing in Washington, D.C. at sunset Nov. 8, 2015.