moved downrange to check their targets. “It was very important for the AUP to see how accurate they were with their weapons,” said Tom Stone, embedded police mentor for Troop B. “It shows them that they are capable of accurately firing their weapons and it builds their confidence.”

Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Black Knights create mission critical systemsStory by Spc. Natasha Gaskins204th Brigade Support Battalion

The Search and Recovery section of Company B, 204th Brigade Support

Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division mass produces Culvert Intrusion Denial Systems, a defense against Improvised Explosive Devices, at Forward Operating Base Walton.

The system prevents the placement of IEDs inside of culverts, which are drains or water-ways crossing under roads or bridges. CIDS help protect the civilian and military vehicles that are constantly traveling on those road-ways. The systems have proven to be mission critical.

Pfc. Gregory Coxton plays a vital role in ensuring that the systems are produced in accordance with Combined Task Force Warhorse distribution priorities. Coxton pro-duces four 38 inch CIDS monthly as opposed

to the 25 inch by 4 inch systems produced by other civilian contractors. The main item used to produce the system is reinforcing bar (rebar). Every 38 inch CIDS needs 180 feet of rebar. In the production of the CIDS, it takes Coxton roughly a day and a half to have a system ready for installation into a culvert.

The CIDS produced by the Search and Recovery section is circular rather than the original design of the Dehart Culvert Denial System, which was square. This design was created by engineers who were previously deployed in Afghanistan.

“The bigger the Culvert Denial System, the more detail that goes into it,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gene Balderman. “Creating

Issue 87 Jan. 21, 2012

Capt. Richard Jones, Company B commander, 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, shows a Culvert Intru-sion Denial System to Aaron Tippin during a visit at Forward Operating Base Walton.

larger CIDSs ensures more proficiency and accuracy in protecting roadways from IEDs.”

The system produced by Bravo Company is 80 pounds so it takes roughly four people to place the metal contraption inside the culvert.

The CIDS helps saves lives every day and that is what Coxton takes a lot of pride in. “The work that I have done with the CIDS will save lives of civilians and Soldiers, now and in the future,” he said.

AUP learn BRM from TF LonestarStory and photo by Capt. Bonnie Hutchinson2nd Special Troops Battalion

Afghan Uniformed Police participate in basic rifle marks-manship training conducted by Third Platoon, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Soldiers from Third Platoon, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment,

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Divi-sion, trained their Afghan Uniformed Police partners on basic rifle marksmanship. They trained their AUP partners on the fundamentals of BRM to include range safety procedures, weapon safety postures, weapons clearing, and the four fundamental firing po-sitions: prone supported, prone unsupported, kneeling and standing. After receiving instruction, the AUP ex-ecuted dry fire from all positions followed by live fire, in which they fired five rounds from each fundamental firing position. “I was very impressed by their confidence and competence in handling their weapons,” said platoon leader 1st Lt. David Stewart. “Their ability to understand and apply BRM concepts is vital to their future success in the Bala Baluk District. I believe they understand how important BRM skills are to protecting and securing their country.” When the live fire was completed, the AUP

Capt. Baudelio Arias, Battery B commander with 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg., passes his battery guidon back to the Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Thomas Munsey, who then passed the guidon to the new bat-tery commander Capt. Michael Lengel.

Lt. Col. David Hardy, commander of 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., passes the HHC guidon to the new com-pany commander, Capt. Scott Krasko.

Change of command

Warhorse PridePage 2 Issue 87 Jan. 21, 2012

The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The Warhorse Pide is an Army-funded news-letter authorized under provision of AR 360-1. Contents of the Warhorse Pride are not necessarily the view of, nor endorsed by the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 4th Infantry Division. All editorial content of The Warhorse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public

Affairs Office. The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles, commentary and photos from readers. The Warhorse Pride reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the publication. All issues of The Warhorse Pride can be viewed online from your home computer at www.facebook.com/2bct4id Submissions should be e-mailed to the editor:seth.barham@afghan.swa.army.mil

Col. John S. Kolasheski...................2nd BCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Ralph Delosa..............2nd BCT CSMMaj. Kevin Toner................................................2nd BCT PAOSgt. Seth Barham..................................................PAO NCOICSgt. Ruth Pagan......................................Layout and DesignSgt. April York.........................................Layout and Design

Warhorse Pride

IG visits ‘Thunder’ SoldiersStory and photos by Sgt. April York2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., PAO

Col. Marilyn D. Wills, command inspector general for U.S. Forces

Afghanistan, made a trip to Camp Stone to visit with Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division to check on their safety and address their concerns. “What can the IG do for you guys,” Wills asked the Soldiers who were gathered around the table in the dining facility. “How is the chow here?” The young Soldiers with whom she was speaking, whose ranks ranged from private to sergeant, looked around at each other and spoke in unison, “It’s good.” Wills asked many questions about living conditions, morale and safety. In addition, she provided them with information and statistics about issues occurring throughout the country. “One of our biggest concerns is non support of family members,” she said.

“Soldiers, Airmen and Marines choose to get in theater and don’t take care of their families back home.” Several faces in the group of 15 Soldiers looked shocked at this information but a few didn’t seem surprised. “Take care of your family back home or your commander will be knocking at your

door,” she informed them. Some Soldiers had concerns with an email they received about possible food shortages related to Pakistan closing its border to all NATO supplies. “You need to understand that the Military plans for things of such,” Wills assured

them. “We have food in storage.” Overall the discussion went on for 30 minutes until the Soldiers were out of questions and their concerns were addressed. “I think it was good that she brought up specific issues that were concerns of the Soldiers,” said Sgt. Brandon Mayo, a food service specialist with Company G, 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg. “I think this face-to-face will help Soldiers feel more comfortable going to

Col. Marilyn Wills, command inspector general for U.S. Forces Afghanistan, asks Soldiers with 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Camp Stone, “What can IG do for you?”

an IG with their concerns.” “She was very inviting to talk to,” said Spc. William Behnke, an intelligence analyst with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg. “If I had a major issue going on I would definitely contact IG. She made it seem like there are people up in the rank structure who really do care about what occurs.” “The IG has its eyes and ears around everything and that’s what we are charged to do,” Wills said in closing. “Thank you for what you do across the battle space and be safe out here.”

MPs assess Sur Village wellsStory and photo by Capt. Bonnie Hutchinson2nd Special Troops Battalion

Soldiers with “Jester” platoon, the mili-tary police element of Headquarters

and Headquarters Company, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted an assess-ment of two wells in Sur Village. The wells are part of the Commander’s Emergency Relief Program, a program were units nominate projects to help bring essential services to Afghanistan. “Although projects like this seem small in scale, they have a lasting and positive impact on the future of the local populace,” said Sgt. Randal Wilson, a Soldier with HHC. The first well the platoon assessed was an

irrigation well, intended to help the village during the farming season. The second well holds drinking water, intended to improve the quality of life for the local populace. “It was a great feeling to facilitate the well project for Sur Village,” Wilson said. Residents of the Sur Village demonstrated how both wells work. In the end, both wells were deemed fully functional. “The village of Sur was very happy and thankful for the wells,” said Capt. Orande Roy, the commander of HHC. “These wells were also built at the perfect time, as the local populace transitions into the raining season and focuses on farming.” “Essential service projects are an important part of our mission as we continue to assist in

the improvement of basic standards of living,” Wilson said.

A local resident of the Sur Village pumps fresh drinking water. This is one of two wells assessed by the Headquar-ters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Special Troops Bat-talion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.