The Mountain Warrior

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Brigade Commander and Command Sergeant

Major’s letter

To the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Civilians of Task Force Mountain Warrior:

Amazingly, six weeks have quickly passed since my last letter to the members of Task Force Mountain Warrior. Thankfully, the average temperature in N2KL has dropped from 110 to 98 degrees during this same time (not enough of a drop, but we’ll take it). We saw our first substantial rainfall since our arrival in Afghanistan – to the tune of 3 inches in 90 minutes – and you continued to work 18 hour days to assist our Afghans partners to stand on their own. Over the last six weeks, you’ve poured your hearts and every effort into giving the Afghans the opportunity to vote. You continue to make history. And, what you did to give the Afghans the opportunity to vote is especially noteworthy.

Regardless of what is written in news commentary, the August 20th Afghan Elections were historic and in N2KL, successful. Your heroic and tireless efforts gave thousands of Afghans the right to vote and choose their local and national leadership. During the lead up to the elections, you and your ANSF partners spent countless hours connecting with the Afghan people - speaking with village elders, tribal leaders and key Afghan government officials – often times fighting against insurgents to bring these people together. In most of our valleys, villages and population centers, you helped pull together large Shuras to talk about the privilege of voting. These Shuras brought together mullahs, tribal leaders and local elders that had previously been uninterested in connecting to their government. You worked hard to support the Afghan elections and built momentum towards change in the process. You also conducted numerous combined operations to reduce the enemy threat to the election process. Despite the grim predictions and a final push by the Taliban miscreants to disrupt voting on Election Day, you bolstered the courage of your Afghan partners and showed them how success can be theirs’ through teamwork. Some local Afghans have since come forward to work with Coalition Forces in hopes of continuing this momentum and progress. Thank you for all of your incredible efforts to give the Afghans in N2KL the chance to vote. If a run-off is required after Ramadan, I am confident that we will further strengthen our connection with our Afghan partners and the Afghan people in N2KL. Ramadan, a month-long time of reflection for the Muslim world, observed by a daily fast from sun up to sun down broken every night with an Iftar, or celebratory meal, began on August 22. All of you have done an outstanding job of helping observe these traditions, respectfully showing the people of Afghanistan that we are guests in their country, while also continuing to help our ANSF partners hunt down our collective enemies and build local government capacity. It is incredibly difficult to conduct operations to kill and capture high value insurgent targets while minimizing

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To the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Civilians of Task Force Mountain Warrior:

We continue to make great sacrifices in order to make Afghanistan a safe and thriving country. I am proud of all the hard work and extra effort by all. Con-tinue to look out for each other and never forget that you all represent America and Americans. I have received many great ideas from all levels that have improved our quality of life and standards. Keep them coming. We are always open to doing things better. Leaders, keep on giving that tough love in order to ensure our service members and civilians are safe and doing the right things. It starts with you! Don’t ignore standards ozr allow complacency. Continue to Create, maintain, and most of all enforce OUR standards. Keep encouraging our servicemembers to improve themselves as time permits through good PT, education and other opportunities. We want them to be tough, smart, and well rounded. Maintain your weapons proficien-cy; we must all strive to be experts. Know all your weapons systems. We are always representing. Look, act, and think like a professional at all times. Think through ev-ery decision and everything you say. Keep your billets and work areas clean, neat, functional, and secure. Take pride in everything that you do. Don’t forget Families. Keep them informed. As always, stay safe!

-CSM Charles V. Sasser, Jr.

disruption in the lives of local Afghans, yet you’ve been highly successful in doing it. Your discipline and professionalism is the difference. It has shown the locals that we will maintain the moral high ground – regardless of how hard that may be. We have an incredible team – it is evident to everyone who gets the chance to see you all in action. Hard work, discipline and teamwork are the foundations of our culture - each and every one of you does whatever it takes to help the trooper to your left or right flank accomplish this difficult mission.

As we enter the third month of deployment as a full unit, I ask that you be even more vigilant. Take care of yourself and take an extra few minutes to look after your battle buddy. Take some extra time to ensure your equipment is straight and you fully understand the task at hand. Please also take time to remember the Mountain Warriors who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Keep their families and loved ones in your prayers. I am proud of your tireless efforts in service to our Nation and I am proud to serve with each and every one of you. Thank you for all that you do and thanks to your families for their own sacrifice and commitment to our mission. It is an honor to serve with you.

Led By Love of Country!

Colonel Randy A. George

Contents4 1-12 Smoking cessation program

56 Local businessman helps girls school

7 984th MP trains ANP

8 Life in the Korengal ValleyWhat it’s like on the frontlines

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Bullet Points: News from the AO

Chaplains Corner:By Maj. Paul Madej

On the cover: U.S. Army Soldiers with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, based at the Korengal Valley, fire mortar rounds at insurgent fighting positions in Kunar province, Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley, Aug. 15. The B Co. mortar team is one of the most active in Afghanistan. Since arriving in June, the mortarmen have fired more than 1,100 rounds. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew Moeller, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

New equipment on frontlines

TF Lethal Medics work to save lives

Soldiers give gift of speech1-32 Soldiers help locals

Three months have already passed since our final flight deployed from Fort Carson to Afghanistan. In that time, the prayers you offer for those here and those back home are heartfelt as we work tirelessly to succeed at the mission before us. In my travels on your behalf I meet Soldiers who are impacted by what everyone else does in the Task force. Let’s continue to focus on the work ahead, knowing the importance of our mission and its impact upon those we serve with.

Moutain Warrior Staff:Maj. T.G. Taylor - Public Affairs Officer2nd Lt. Elizabeth Silver - Deputy PAOSgt. Michael Masterson - NCOICSpc. Eugene H. Cushing - EditorPfc. Elizabeth Raney - Print Journalist

Story by Air Force SrA. Erica Picariello1-12 IN, 4th BCT, 4th ID Public Affairs Office

The Red Warriors of 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment at Forward Operating Base Ramrod launched a “smoking cessation” program on July 5, giving deployed soldiers the tools they need to free themselves from nicotine addiction.

“The smoking cessation program here helps soldiers kick their nicotine need,” said 1st Lt. Marshall Jackson, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment medical officer.

“We provide personnel information on how to kick the habit, live a healthier life and give

FOB Ramrod launches smoking cessation programa nicotine patch to help reduce symptoms of physical withdrawal,” said Jackson. The class is aimed at helping Red Warrior Soldiers live a healthier lifestyle during a stressful time in their lives.

“In addition to a class on how to live a healthier lifestyle and the patch, we also can prescribe Wellbutrin to aid in reducing the psychological effects of nicotine withdrawal,” Jackson said.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, Wellbutrin, a drug also known as Zyban, is a medication that was found to significantly decrease nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as nicotine cravings, irritableness, insomnia, fatigue and headaches.

“Soldiers in a wartime

environment have enough hazards to their health, without adding to it themselves,” said Jackson. “Smoking, as we all know, can lead to lung cancer, will decrease proper hydration, and take away from normal body functionality.”

While deployed, service members often travel many miles on foot, increasing the importance of proper hydration and personal endurance.

“When Soldiers are nicotine deprived they display flu-like symptoms, become jittery, anxious, and temperamental,” said Jackson.

“If we eliminate this addiction, then Soldiers can improve their health and constantly keep a clear head without needing a chemical to balance them out.”

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Fallen HeroesHonoring those we’ve lost13

Korengal Mortars

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Story and Photos by Army Spc. Eugene H. CushingTF Mountain Warrior Public Affairs Office

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, assigned to Task Force Mountain Warrior, were among the first Soldiers in the Army to receive new equipment intended to lighten their load and make their missions easier.

The equipment issue included a new individual body armor, boots suited to the mountainous terrain, and other equipment like lighter sleeping systems and knee pads.

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Mark A. Eckstrom, of Frazier Park, Calif., the first sergeant for Company A, 2 Bn., 12 Inf. Reg., said the difference between the new and old equipment is remarkable.

Eckstrom said the new equipment provides greater freedom of movement in addition to being lighter, allowing Soldiers to maneuver easier in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan.

Eckstrom also described a visible difference between Soldiers wearing the new plate

carriers and the previously issued Improved Outer Tactical Vest.

U.S. Army Pvt. Mark A. Haas, of Omaha, Nebr., a gunner assigned to ACo., received the new equipment before deploying to Afghanistan. He liked the boots included in the issue because they are better suited for the terrain of Afghanistan.

“They have a better grip, and form to the rocks a lot better,” he said. “You don’t get as many blisters.”

U.S. Army Sgt. Dustin M. Kaminiski, of Chicago, Ill., a team leader for A Co., said the new equipment allows full range of motion and doesn’t restrict movement or circulation.

“It’s lighter,” he said. “It helps you breathe easier.”

The team leader went on to say the plate-carrier came with

New equipment on the frontlines

U.S. Army Pfc. Alexander Bishop, a fire support officer assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, assigned to Task Force Mountain Warrior, maintains his guard before moving through a small village and heading up the mountains in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan. Bishop is wearing some of the new lighter gear issued to select units serving in Afghanistan.

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Mark A. Eckstrom, of Frazier Park, Calif., the first sergeant for Company A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment sports the new plate carrier after hiking a mountain in Afghanistan’s Kunar Province. Many of Eckstrom’s Soldiers have received the new plate-carrier, which allows them greater freedom of movement, making it easier to get to the fight.

pouches specifically designed for the different types of ammunition that Soldiers use depending on their job in the unit.

“It allows you to be more agile, and also allows you to place your pouches so you’re not all bunched up,” he said.

Eckstrom felt the new equipment has given his Soldiers a definite advantage.

“Without the equipment, we still would have been doing the same missions,” he said. “It lets them get to the fight a little bit easier.”

Task Force Mountain Warrior is currently on a 12-month rotation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

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Story by Maj. T.G. TaylorTask Force Mountain Warrior Public Affairs OfficePhotos courtesy of U.S. Army

A local businessman and contractor in the Alingar district delivered school supplies to the Parwai Girls School on Aug. 17 with the help of ISAF forces to keep more than 50 children supplied for one year.

Abdullah Ajabgul, the owner of Homyoun Rafi Construction Company, identified the students’ need for supplies while constructing a protective wall around the school as a Commander’s Emergency Relief Program project.

Abdullah brought the need to the attention of Afghan Security and ISAF forces, which were able to secure donations for the girls from non-governmental organizations.

“Mr. Abdullah was the one who identified the need here at the school,” said U.S. Army Capt. Doug Moore, the CERP project manager for Task Force Wildhorse.

According to Moore, education is an important part of life in Laghman province and is helping to defeat the enemies of Afghanistan.

“The vast majority of people in Laghman are interested in progress and education is a big part of that,” said Moore. “The Taliban would not allow girls to attend school in the first place and are only interested in manipulation to achieve their own end of gaining power.”

Abdullah’s work on the school wall was an important project for the security and safety of the students. The school supplies were an added bonus of the project.

“Boundary walls are a big deal in this area because they delineate property lines and provide security for the children who attend the school,” said Moore.

“The headmaster brought the need for the school supplies to the attention of Mr. Abdullah after his company began constructing the wall and we were very happy to help out.”

ISAF forces gave the supplies to Abdullah who then delivered them to the school and distributed them to the students, said Moore.

Local businessman helps girls school

Abdullah, the owner of a local construction company, distributes school supplies to the students of the Parwai Girls School in Laghman province, Afghanistan Aug. 17. The school supplies are enough to last the fifty students of the school an entire school year. Task Force Wildhorse assisted Abdullah in obtaining the supplies, which he then delivered and distributed.

Students of the Parwai Girls School show off their new school supplies in the Alingar district of Laghman province Aug. 17. The supplies were delivered and distributed by Abdullah, the owner of a local construction company who identified a need for supplies while constructing a protective wall for the school.

“The vast majority of people in Laghman are interested in progress and education is a

big part of that,”- U.S. Army Capt. Doug Moore

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Story and photos by Spc. Eugene H. CushingTask Force Mountain Warrior Public Affairs Office

Afghan National Police in the Kunar province and U.S. Army Military Police assigned to Task Force Mountain Warrior have been conducting election-focused training in the Kunar province, to keep the area secure during the August elections.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Michael T. Nicholson, the platoon leader for 2nd platoon, 984th Military Police Company, 759th Military Police Battalion, led his unit in focused district partnership training with the police force at the Shigal district center.

Nicholson, of Burnsville, Minn., explained the goal of the training was to ensure the ANP stations were able to effectively operate on their own.

U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher C. Silva, of Boston, Mass., a squad leader assigned to 2nd platoon, said the mission in Shigal consisted of two days of meetings and training with the ANP. He said the first day involved meeting with the police chief and his officers, and assessing the station’s armament, personnel and facilities.

“The second day we finished the assessment and started training for the elections,” he said.

According to Silva the training included conducting personnel and vehicle searches, reacting to IEDs, conducting checkpoints, reacting to small arms fire, searching buildings, first aid, emergency response, crowd control and force protection.

Silva said the reason behind the training was to get the Afghan people to run their own elections, and that the elections will not be an International Security Assistance Force led event.

Afghan National Police Maj. Sali Mohammed, the operations officer for the Shigal district police station, said the training was highly beneficial.

Mohammed explained that the Afghan police officers attending the training were going to take what they learned back to their

MP’s train ANP to take charge of security

individual police stations and train the rest of their units.

U.S. Army Cpl. Marcus R. Bennett, of Thermopolis, Wy., a team leader assigned to 2nd platoon, had spent a lot of time on the road as a military policeman before coming to Afghanistan and was able to share some of his experience with his Afghan counterparts. Bennett said he taught the Afghan Police how to search for weapons, explosives, drugs and

other potentially dangerous items.“I enjoyed working with the

Afghans,” he said. “That was the first time I got to get out and teach them.”

Nicholson described the Afghan police his platoon worked with as motivated and willing to learn.

“They’re very friendly,” he said. “They share everything they know. They’re willing to try the stuff we teach them so it’s been very positive.”

U.S. Army Cpl. Nicholas E. Cox, of Indianapolis, Ind., a team leader for the 985th Military Police Company, 759th Military Police Battalion, assigned to Task Force Mountain Warrior, demonstrates the proper use of an IV bag to officers of the Afghan National Police during training conducted at the Shigal District center in Kunar province.

U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher C. Silva, of Boston, Mass., a squad leader for 2nd platoon, 984th Military Police Company, 759th Military Police Battalion, assigned to Task Force Mountain Warrior, discusses training opportunities with Afghan National Police Maj. Sali Mohammed, operations officer for the Shigal District police station.

Story and photos By U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew Moeller, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

As bullets started to rain down on Baker Company’s position, a Soldier sighed, and said, annoyingly, “Well, here we go.”

Over the next twenty minutes the service members fired everything from bullets to curse words at the invisible enemy attacking from the surrounding hills.

“Just once I’d like to come out here and not get shot at,” said an exasperated U.S. Army Sgt. Graham Mullins, of Columbia, Mo., using a four-foot stone wall for cover. “Just once.”

Near the end, two F-15 fighter jets pummelled the insurgent forces with 500-pound bombs, and an eerie silence fell across the battlefield. For the U.S. service members, it was just another morning in the Korengal Valley.

“This place is definitely its own monster; there are a lot of other dangerous places in Afghanistan, but I would say this place lives up to the hype,” said U.S. Army Capt. Mark Moretti, B Co. company commander, and New Windsor, N.Y., native.

Seeing some of the toughest fighting in Afghanistan on a daily basis, many Baker Co. Soldiers

find humor in the idea that many of their fellow Soldiers are envious of their assignment, who often refer to the almost constant battle as the ‘infantryman’s dream.’

“I would tell them to seriously reconsider their thinking positions,” U.S. Army Spc. Guadalupe Gardenias, a B Co. Soldier, said, laughing.

Living in conditions that rival the third-world villages they patrol, the tiny U.S outposts dotting the valley walls are in stark contrast to other American mega-bases

Living life in the Korengal Valley

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in Afghanistan, such as Bagram Airfield, which offers everything from personal internet to American fast food restaurants.

Here, if a resupply helicopter gets cancelled, Soldiers miss not only letters from home, but risk having to ration their food.

At the Korengal Outpost, Soldiers use outhouses and hope to shower once a week to conserve water. At nearby Restrepo Outpost, Soldiers lack any running water, and eat field rations for every meal.

“The conditions out here are tough, and it’s a tough fight,” said Moretti. “But given the chance, I don’t think anyone would want to leave.”

Despite daily gun battles, poor hygiene and tortuous terrain, the men of Baker Co. seem content living their life in the Korengal. When asked if they would take an easier assignment, the answer was always the same. “Not unless everyone else came with me.”

“Before I came into the Army a lot of people would talk about brothers in arms, and I thought it was kind of cheesy, but being out here, I can definitely say that it brings us a lot closer, cause no matter what we say or what we do, nobody besides us is going to know what we went through, and what it was like.”U.S. Army Spc. Jesus Sanchez, a native of Mesa, Ariz., watches for suspicious activity,

during an early morning patrol in the Kunar province, Afghanistan’s infamous Korengal Valley, Aug. 13.

U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew Roberts, a native of Houston, Texas, scans the hills surround-ing the volatile Korengal Valley in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, during an early morn-ing patrol, Aug. 13.

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U.S. Army Spc. Jesus Sanchez, a combat medic, and Mesa, Ariz., native, along with fellow Baker Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Soldiers climb down an ancient staircase to the Korengal Valley floor in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, Aug. 17.

U.S. Army Spc. Guadalupe Gardenias calls in coordinates as fellow Baker Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, Soldiers watch for suspicious activity, during a routine patrol in Kunar province, Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley, Aug. 18.

A U.S. Army Soldier with Baker Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, descends a rocky staircase while on patrol in the Kunar province, Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley, Aug. 17.The 4th Infantry Division Soldiers have seen some of the toughest fighting in Afghanistan since arriving in the tiny valley in June.

U.S. Army Soldiers from Baker Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, patrol the Korengal Valley, in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, Aug. 18. The 4th Infantry Division Soldiers have been battling anti-Afghan forces in valley since arriving in June.

U.S. Army Soldiers patrol a tiny village in the Korengal Valley, Aug. 17.

Images from the KorengalBy U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew Moeller, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story by 2nd Lt. Liz SilverTF Mountain Warrior Public Affairs Office

Citizens of Nuristan and Laghman provinces along with Afghan National Police have defended polling sites and election materials from anti-Afghan attacks in preparation for tomorrow’s vote.

The first incident occurred in the

Afghan citizens and Afghan National Police defend polling sitesvillage of Kowlak, Dow Ab district, Nuristan province yesterday. After approximately seven anti-Afghan forces attacked the local polling site, several Afghans aided Afghan National Police in returning fire, causing the AAF to disperse and run away from the scene.

The ballots and polling site were unharmed.

Similar reports of villagers protecting polling sites and

ballots have surfaced in Laghman Province, where recent shuras between Governor Lutfullah Mashal and ANSF commanders have produced positive and encouraging results with the local population.

The people of Afghanistan have shown that they care about free and fair elections, and have chosen to work with their police to defend their right to vote.

Story by 2nd Lt. Liz Silver TF Mountain Warrior Public Affairs Office

Citizens of the Asmar district turned in an improvised explosive device to Afghan National Police after it was found buried under a busy road Aug. 16.

Afghan National Police responded to the scene, along with

Afghan citizens prevent death and injuries by turning in IED to ANPNational Directorate of Security representatives and disarmed the device preventing death, injuries and damage to the citizens of Asmar district.

Afghan National Police have received counter-IED training from ISAF forces in the area in the past months. The training proved beneficial as ANP were successful in their efforts on Aug. 16.

Improvised explosive devices are frequently emplaced in the Kunar province by anti-Afghan forces that do not care about killing innocent Afghans.

Local citizens, with the help of Afghan National Security Forces, have again proven to be the key element in defeating the enemies of Afghanistan.

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Story by 2nd Lt. Liz SilverTF Mountain Warrior Public Affairs Office

Government officials of Laghman province, with the assistance of the Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team and Afghan National Security Forces, met with over 200 mullahs and village elders on August 15 at the Dowlet Shah District Center to discuss security, development, and the upcoming elections.

Officials at the shura included

Afghan government, ANSF, and ISAF hold shura in Dowlet ShahDowlet Shah sub-governor Mohammad Arif Kahn, Afghan National Police Chief Gen. Omer Yahr, Afghan National Army Kandak commander Mohammad Jahn, and Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team commander U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ben Ungerman. The Afghan government officials encouraged all citizens to vote, stating that the democratic process is supported by Islamic values. They also discussed ways to help improve the quality

of life for citizens in Dowlet Shah.Mashal pointed to construction

projects and operations designed at improving security in the province as signs that the government is responsive to its citizen’s needs.

Mashal, along with Yahr and Jahn, called on the citizens of Dowlet Shah to aid Afghan National Security forces and ISAF soldiers in security, stating it was the responsibility of Dowlet Shah citizens to improve the future of Laghman province for their children.

Story by 2nd Lt. Liz SilverTF Mountain Warrior Public Affairs Office

A citizen of Sundurwa village stopped anti-Afghan forces from emplacing an improvised explosive device on a highly travelled road yesterday in the Alingar province.

The captured man was taken to Alingar Police, and transferred to the Laghman province ANP Headquarters for questioning by a counter-terrorism team.

Afghan citizen turns over IED facilitator to Afghan National PoliceAfghan National Security

Forces, along with International Security Assistance Forces, expressed pride in villagers taking control and responsibility of their communities.

“The bottom line from this event is two things,” said Lt. Col. Mike Forsyth, commander of Task Force Steel.

“First, it shows that Afghans don’t want anti-Afghan forces to use their villages as a safe haven and have decided to take actions

into their own hands, which provides ANSF and ISAF with freedom of movement and security for the villagers. Second, it shows our effort to build relationships with the villagers has paid off and they believe it is in their best interests to work with us and turn in anti-Afghan forces.”

This is the third time in five days villagers in Nuristan and Laghman provinces have prevented anti-Afghan forces from attacking their villages.

Bullet points: News around the AO

TF Lethal Medics work to save livesPhotos by Army Spc. Eugene H. CushingTF Mountain Warrior Public Affairs Office

U.S. Army Sgt. Rene Castellanos inspects a burn from a cooking stove on a young Afghan girl’s foot after her brothers brought her to the clinic on Combat Out Post Honaker-Miracle for treatment. Castellanos, of South Pasadena, Calif., is the senior line medic for Company C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, assigned to Task Force Mountain Warrior.

Castellanos gives comfort to the girl while treating her burn. Her brother, who brought her into the clinic, looks on.

Castellanos and Spc. Henry D. Schorsch bandage the girl’s foot after treating the burn. Schorsch, of Jourdanton, Texas, a combat medic, is also assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, currently assigned to Task Force Mountain Warrior in Eastern Afghanistan.

Castellanos treats the young Afghan girl’s burn, while her brother assists in providing care. Castellanos understands why simple care like this is necessary in the austere environments of Afghanistan. Without proper treatment the burn may become infected and cause the girl to lose her leg or even death.

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Afghan citizen turns over IED facilitator to Afghan National Police

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Korengal Outpost mortar team fire at anti-Afghan forcesBy U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

A Korengal Outpost based U.S. Army Soldier with Baker Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, calibrates a 120mm mortar tube before firing mortar rounds at insurgent fighting positions in Kunar province, Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley, Aug. 15.

U.S. Army Soldiers with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, based at the Korengal Valley, fire mortar rounds at insurgent fighting positions in Kunar province, Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley, Aug. 15. The B Co. mortar team is one of the most active in Afghanistan. Since arriving in June, the mortarmen have fired more than 1,100 rounds.

Soldiers Give the Gift of SpeechStory courtesy of the U.S. Army

Soldiers from Task Force Mountain Warrior’s, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, recently helped a local village elder named Jallal in the Kunar province, regain his voice.

While patrolling during a Key Leader Engagement February 9, the elder’s situation was brought to the Soldiers’ attention. Jallal’s voice box had been removed as part of a cancer-removal surgery in Pakistan.

After hearing of the man’s situation, 1st Lt. John Carlson, a medical platoon leader with Task

Force Chosin, felt that something had to be done.

With the help of fellow 1-32nd Infantry Regiment Soldiers, Carlson decided to try to acquire an electro larynx, an artificial voice box which costs around $600.

After Carlson’s first attempt to acquire the voice box failed, Maj. Jennifer Bell, the Brigade Surgeon for TF Spartan, felt she could help with the situation.

She turned to a friend in Chicago, who was eager to help, and the artificial voice box was on its way to the C Co. Soldiers, arriving at Combat Outpost Monti April 26.

The Soldiers of C Co. taught themselves to properly use the device, so they could teach the elder.

When Jallal was handed the new device, the Soldiers all gathered around to watch the joyful expression on his face. Jallal’s family was in awe as the man spoke for the first time in years.

When Coalition Forces returned to the village, Jallal approached the Soldiers and greeted them with his new voice.

According to Jallal, through the device he received, it’s the small things in life, such as gifts like these, which really make a difference.

Thanks to the dedication and cooperation of the C Co. Soldiers and caring people, Jallal proudly remains the voice of the Anar Kowt village.

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Fallen Heroes- July 12 through August 27

“Let me not mourn for the men who have died fighting, but rather let me be glad that such heroes have lived.”

- Gen. George S. Patton

PFC MATTHEW E. WILDESB CO, 1-12 IN

TF RED WARRIOR8 December 1990 - 27 August 2009

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Awards this month

When I Took this Job I Wasn’t expecting us to move operations. Now I know overseas labor costs are cheaper, but I don’t exactly agree with the way this company is going.

Also I was expecting more oportunities for networking. As such this is a letter declaring

my two weeks notice.

Sir, can I talk to you?

Sir, I have to be honest with you. This isn’t working

out for me.

I Thought you’d under-stand. Have a good day Sir.

What do you mean Daniels?

Sure. Go for it.

By Pfc. Jeremy Sprague2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment

Oh geez

Daniels’ Dilemmas

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Reenlistment Options are designed to give you the opportunity to have input in the direction of your military career. Eligibility for the various optionsdepend on several factors such as how many times you have reenlisted, cur-rent length of service, rank, etc.With all the factors in-volved in option quali-fications it is important you utilize your CareerCounselor as your prima-ry source for determining which options you quali-fy for.Especially since the rules for qualifications change constantly. Once the options you qualify for are identified there is one thing

Retention NCO’s Letter:

you should keep in mind. That is, in some cases the most desired option, such as an assignment you always wanted, may not be the best choice career wise. For example, if you are in a MOS that con-tinuously has high cut-off scores you maywant to reclassify into an-other specialty to increase your chances for promo-tion. This is just one example ofpossible fac-tors to con-sider when making your choice. All of us have unique situ-

ations that effect what options may be best for us and our families.When the time comes for you tomake your choice use your Career Counselor to guide you through what options are available and which one is best for you.

Led By Love of Country!

By Master Sgt. JAMES L. PUGSLEYSenior Career Counselor

Choosing the Right Reenlistment Option

james.l.pugsley@afghan.swa.army.miledward.davis@afghan.swa.army.milstephen.m.cabana@afghan.swa.army.milluis.a.gutierrez@afghan.swa.army.milcarmen.herron@afghan.swa.army.milzildjian.j.charley@afghan.swa.army.milmartha.e.berry@afghan.swa.army.milkevin.m.lytle@afghan.swa.army.milleisa.doney@afghan.swa.army.milshaun.holman@afghan.swa.army.mil

MSG PugsleySFC DavisSFC CabanaSSG GutierrezSSG HerronSGT CharleySSG BerrySGT LytleSFC DoneySSG Holman

4th IBCT, 4th ID1-12 IN2-12 IN2-77 FA3-61 CAV704th BSB4th BSTB759thMP1-32 IN7-17 CAV

FOB FentyFOB RamrodFOB BlessingBagramFOB FentyFOB FentyFOB Finley-ShieldsFOB FentyFOB JoyceJalalabad

831-6051841-6011481-2155431-5102831-6058831-6089SVOIP 776-9711831-6442481-3508831-6152/6153

Hey There!Want to see your pictures in the Mountain Warrior? Shoot us an e-mail or send your photos to: TFMTNWarriorPAO@afghan.swa.mil and we’ll make sure they get in the next issue!