Mounted Combat Patrol Operations

This week's training has been more tactical operations. We have been conducting mounted combat patrol operations. This is largely what we will face in Afghanistan. This week also have been a challenging one for us physically, as most of us have the Kansas/Fort Riley Crud. We all have been sick with cold type symptoms.... So the physical demands of the training has taken a greater toll on our bodies physically. The two pictures below kinda shows how tired we have been after conducting some of our training and waiting on another team to complete the run on the range, so that we can conduct it with live rounds. For Mounted Combat Patrol Operations we conduct a dry-run with blank ammo, (basically to make sure we conduct it safely), then we conduct it with live ammo. The picture below is with SGM Elvington getting a rest where he could, (on the ground/rocks). You have to be tired to do this, I know that it was not comfortable.

Notice that it is at the end of April and MAJ Haselden is wrapped up like it is cold. Well it is Kansas and it is cold!!!! WOW....

The above picture shows MSG Tex Hughes relaxing "Tex Style" with a cigar, his aide bag close by, and listening to his MP3 player. He really knows how to make the best out of the environment. I have learned quite a lot from him... You have to find time to rest and make the best out of your situation.....

We also continued our training on TCP Ops (Traffic Control Point Operations). Part of this training is making sure that we can conduct and implement an effective Traffic Control Point at any location at any time. These operations are merely short term, but effective. This training must be rehearsed and planned. Fort Riley brings in many personnel to fill the role of the people of Afghanistan, so that we get the most realistic training possible. Below is a picture of me with one of the extras hired as an Afghan National Police. Our job is to mentor them in conducting these types of operation effectively, and this training greatly aided us in that.

Anything can happen during these type operations, you have to really be on guard and alert and then ready to react. These operations involve interacting with the local populous, thus needing an interpreter and being careful to not hurt innocent civilians during hostilities.... Trust me, we all are training well, to ensure that we conduct ourselves properly when the situation arise.... One never knows, but it is best to know that should the situation arise, you have the training to do it.... as well as the confidence...

Another integral part of our mission deals with mentoring, so we have had extensive training in mentoring and interacting with local Afghan leadership. The below picture is with MAJ Haselden and MSG Hughes acting as the US representative assisting an Afghan National Policeman on a trip to meet with a town's mullah and councilman.

Next week it is my turn along with SFC Walsh.... I hope that you all enjoy the pictures and information that is provided. I try to give you a true depiction of what we are actually doing... Until next week, be Eternally Blessed and know that God is still in Control.................

Crew-served Weapons WOW!!!!!

This past week has definitely been a challenging one, both physically and mentally. This was our day and night crew-serve weapons qualification week. Crew-serve weapons means, automatic weapon systems, i.e. (M240b, MK-19, M-2- .50cal, M249 SAW). We not only had day and night qualification on US weapons, but we also had training on Foreign Weapons, i.e. Russian AK-47, PK, RPG, etc. Fort Riley really ensures that you are not only familiar with the weapons, but comfortable with the operation of the weapon. The below pic is SFC Hudson and SSG Hunter during pre-marksmanship instruction on the MK-19 Grenade Launcher.. This is really a sweet shooting weapon system, very accurate and easy to shoot. SFC Hudson is known as the gentle giant. He is really a quite man, one with few words, but one with much experience and knowledge. He really helped to teach and train us on numerous weapons..... He is in his element....

The above picture is more of our pre-markmanship instruction. MAJ Haselden and MSG Smithey dis-assembling the MK-19 with LTC Moore standing behind them looking cool.....

Fort Riley goes through great lengths to indoctrinate us into the environment we will face in country. This is called theatre immersion training. Below is a picture of locals dressed up like the people we will see in country.... (They pay them $16.83/hr to bring realism to our training. WOW... Could I work part-time huh....)

Back to the range. Below is a picture of LTC Wright taking a nap, while waiting on the range. We were on the range from 0700 to between 0230-0300, with about 1-2hrs of sleep if that. So many of us were exhausted....

The below picture is SFC Walsh and SSG Hunter waiting to fire. Walsh is trying to get a nap and trying to find some comfort with the weight of the IBA. Hunter just has that look of I'm beat on his face....

Range photo of CPT Johnson, LTC Storey and CSM Albert waiting to fire during day qualification. LTC Storey and CPT Johnson were the 240b qualifiers.... You don't often find a LTC manning a crew-serve, but we have everyone placed on the team in positions they can best support the entire team....

The below picture is of MAJ Griffith from one of the Michigan ETTs, chillin and trying to find some laughter and time to reflect and get through this long arduous day. I have found some great friends during this training. The SC and Michigan teams train together and have bonded quite well. MAJ Griffith is one that I can call FRIEND..... He is spiritual and always there to say an uplifting word.

The below picture captures the foreign weapons that we trained on. We assembled and dis-assembled them, as well as fired the weapons to ensure we knew how they fired, how they sounded, and how to operate them.

The below pic is me with a Russian RPG. This weapon is one that the Taliban uses a lot to fire on our helicopters.

The best part of the week was the end of the week. I finally got the chance to go to Kansas City to see my son Ronardo. He was at Fort Leonardwood completing his MOS qualification and I did not get to see him before I left and this would be the last opportunity for me to see him before I depart for theatre. My son is the back-bone of my family when I am not there, everyone counts on him, even me.... Don't get me wrong, I love my two other daughters just as much... My son understands me and knows how I would want things done, without me saying a word. He shares my spirit..... Ronardo is in the Air Force Reserve, another military man.....

A Bit of A Break

This past week's training have not been too taxing on us.... It was sort of a break from the huge physical demands on us..... We concentrated on basic soldier skills like Call For Fire, using the Guardfist simulations device. We also did Cordon and Search.. Now this could have been some great training. Fort Riley have a different mentality when it comes to training. They gloss over the training in class, then they expect you to conduct the training to standard during an exercise. This particular training/exercise is a huge training requirement for us/ETTs for our mission in Afghanistan.... What happens is they let you conduct the training, then they evaluate your operation. Needless to say, that many of us are hands-on/visual people and it is much better to go show you on the ground how it is done, then allow you to do it.... Many of the teams struggled with the scenarios, but got better after each iteration....

Following this event we began our specialized training. SFC Walsh and I participated in the Advance Commo Training on the Harris 150/117 radios. Some of the others in the team went through Medical and Counter Insurgency Operations Training.

This week's Training went into the weekend on Saturday evening. We kinda expected it, since we had Monday off due to the Easter Holiday.... However when the training ended we let our proverbial hair down, (I guess, those with hair!!)

In this first picture is LTC Shawn Harris, my Omega Fraternity Brother and myself hanging out in the back of the billet... LTC Harris is from Michigan and is leading one of the Michigan Teams....

Some of our other Frat Brothers made their way down to Camp Funston to check on us... You see we had a good time....

In this other pic. Is one of the Afghan Trainers having some fun with us during our Cultural Training.... They go over scenarios that have occurred in theatre and assist us in ensuring that we deal with them properly. Really gives us a great start on how to effectively interact with our Afghan Counterparts...

Also depicted is SGM Mike Elvington, (the Horse) of the team. SGM Elvington is a stud.... strong as an ox, very knowledgeable. This is his second Afghan deployment....... He don't have to worry too much about being challenged.... He is quite intimidating... Also pictured with him is SFC Post from Michigan and COL Cannon...


This upcoming week returns to the field. We are schedule to began our Crew-serve Weapons Qualification, day and night. So we expect to be out in the field late into the night to get this done.....

CLS "Combat Lifesaver Training"

This past week's training for us was the all encompassing Combat Lifesaver Training. Fort Riley requires everyone to certify through their course. They do not accept the certification of other agencies. After going through it, I now understand why. They have their own style of training. They also have great instructors that are passionate about their craft. This training is the real deal. They start with classroom instruction for a full day, the next day was a written test and the actual administering of IVs. Everyone gets stuck and everyone sticks.... Below are a few pics of our IV day... (enjoy)....

As you can see my assistant was not too gentle, plus I had a crowd of people around to enjoy the pain of seeing your fellow soldier miss and miss your vein.... MAJ Haselden had previously certified and actually did a great job with this task. I had to embellish a bit for the camera!!!!!!

LTC Wright had fun with SGM Elvington's CLS skills. These two are the best of friends and they have a long history together, personally and professionally. We also have as a part of out team, MSG Tex Hughes, who was our assistant instructor for this class. Tex is a Registered Nurse in civilian life and he loves his job. He really taught us so much, and we feel more comfortable going into combat having an actual RN on our team.

Pictured above is our fearless leader COL Cannon giving SSG Hunter an IV. COL Cannon wears glasses and it was quite funny to see him trying to give Hunter an IV without his glasses on. Hunter was definitely not thrilled either......

Pictured above is MSG Smithey giving LTC Moore an IV. This was Smithey's first time administering an IV. He found it to be quite challenging, but he was up to the test, after a few sticks... and the loss of a quart of blood by LTC Moore... (just kidding). We all realize that we must become comfortable with this process, as it may save someones life.

The next phase of CLS Training was another hands on practical exercise. In full battle-rattle, we had several scenarios that we were faced with that required us to render appropriate aide under combat situations. One was a simulated mortar attack on a dining facility with multiple injuries inside that required mass casualty evacuation. Another event occurred during our dis-mounted patrol, we were hit by artillery, IEDs, etc and had to make the correct decision under stress. The exercise culminated with a medical evacuation after simulated combat operations on the objective.

The above picture is CSM Albert and SFC EJ Walsh enjoying and putting into application the fine CLS Training that Fort Riley have to offer. Part of our joy probably had something to do with us being given a four-day pass for the Easter Holiday. Just kidding, we have really jelled as a group. We know each other's strengths and most of our weaknesses... Best of all we have grown to care about each other's well fare. This is what being a team is all about.......

Training, Training, Training

Training, Training, Training is life on the FOB... This week's training focused on Tactical Convoy Operations and Driver Training..... This weeks training varied from Drivers Training on the Up-armored HUMMV to Combat Life Training. The training here is as realistic as they can get it. Combat Lifesaver Training is more than how to administer medical support to save lives, but they actually have event driven actions that happen to require numerous actions, one of which is the administration of proper medical attention….i.e. an IED goes off near your patrol, the blast injures several soldiers, what actions are required…. Needless to say there are numerous, yet simultaneous actions that are required to deal with the situation…However, I want to also highlight some of the great soldiers serving with me on this mission.... SGM Charles Jackson on the 50 cal... (Ma Duece!!)

One such individual is SGM Charles Jackson. SGM Charles Jackson, who retired 30Sep 2004 from the full-time force with over 29 years of active duty. Charlie voluntarily returned under a retiree-recall to support this mobilization. This is his first combat tour of duty. SGM Jackson pictured below left the surreal day to day activities as the Training Site Manage of Clarks Hill Training Site located in Plum Branch, SC to join the RCAG. SGM Jackson is one of many patriotic soldiers that are on this team. He is truly admired by this team and a credit to the citizens and soldiers we have in South Carolina.

As mentioned earlier much of our training this week was on tactical convoy operations.... This was outstanding training, they, (Fort Riley) spared nothing to ensure we received excellent training.. What i liked most was the Simulator Training in the Battle Simulations Building. This was behind a computer, but it was so real. It virtually put you into the vehicle and had simulated attacks, to include IEDs. We found out very quick that you need to rehearse, rehearse and rehearse your Battle Drills, so that it become second nature how you would react....

I was able to acquire some more pictures of our range operations.... As you can see it was very taxing on us.... Enjoy...

Range operations was very exciting. We all realized that this is for real, and being able to shoot accurately may save your life.... so we became intimate with our weapons... None of us dreaded this, even knowing that we would be worn out by the end of the evening....

When you are tired, you take advantage of every opportunity to get some relief/rest.....

Here are some clips from our night range ops...