Titan TACREP

TACREP: Tactical Report

September 2011
Serving the Soldiers, Families and Friends of the Titan Squadron Issue #5 September 30, 2011

Command Group Sends

Greetings to all the friends and families of the Titans. We have heard the weather is changing in Northern New York and you can begin to see the leaves changing on the trees. As the seasons change in the North Country so do they here in Afghanistan. The heat, for the most part, has broken. Temperatures climb to the low 90s and drop down into the low 50s at night. The locals tell us we have a months time before the rain comes. With the seasonal change so comes a change for the Squadron. We are being reassigned to the Spartan Brigade Combat Team and will join them in Maiwand in the near future. The Squadron brought significant change and increased security to the Arghandab District. The men did so well that our higher headquarters has called on the Titans to transition to the west and facilitate the same gains in security, governance and development in the Maiwand District. We look forward to re-joining our brothers-in-arms (Chosin, Catamount, Wolfpack, Vanguard and Spartan Support) in the Spartan Brigade and to the opportunity and challenges it brings. We celebrated a number of promotions this month. Of note WO1 Copeland was promoted to CW2 on September 11th. Additionally, 2LT Sardo was promoted to 1LT, SGT Wieand from S2 was promoted to SSG. and SSG Jongeneel was promoted to SFC and subsequently assumed duty as a Platoon Sergeant in C Troop. Once again, Titan 7 and myself would like to express our sincere gratitude for the continued support from the Titan Families and Friends. The support has been overwhelming and a great boost to trooper morale. In closing, a message to our Troopers from Greek Mythology When Heracles was a young man he was travelling in Argos and came to forked roads. On each road stood a beautiful woman. Goddesses in disguise beckoned him. The entire life and labors of this great Hero are explained by his free choice of Minerva and her path of virtue instead of the path of pleasure of Venus, who was chosen by Paris, princely son of King Priam of Troy. Brother Titans, every act and thought of every day of your professional life is a choice. May you always be a loyal son of Minerva. GIDDY UP! Titan 6 and Titan 7

PSD on patrol in Arghandab. Elephant Mountain in the background

It's not the right things we do occasionally, rather it's the right things we do consistently that change our lives

Titan PSD Pictures

Titan 6 overlooking a valley in Khakrez

CPT Drennen (S4) on an OP in Khakrez

SSG Anderson after a Dusty Patrol.

It's not the right things we do occasionally, rather it's the right things we do consistently that change our lives

A/3-71CAV ARES
From Ares 6,
Hello families of Ares Troop: September saw a change in our optempo and gave us the chance to focus in(on) our AO as well as a leadership addition. Blue Platoon welcomes LT Miles Rowan as their new Platoon Leader. Miles came from the Brigade Engineer Cell where he was working on COP builds, road construction, and numerous other duties. He attended college at LSU for a short period before attending USMA and earning his commission as an Infantry Officer. He is extremely excited to be leading the Soldiers of Blue Platoon. Shortly after his arrival, Miles took Blue Platoon up into Khakrez to support a Special Forces team in establishing their presence in a village to assist in linking an isolated area to GIRoA. We were able to visit them recently, and their performance has been outstanding. The Special Forces Team Sergeant, (entered SF in 1991), said that Blue Platoon is the best conventional Army Platoon hes had the opportunity to work with. This speaks volumes on the professionalism of LT Rowan, SSG Fisher and their Soldiers. This month was slower for the Troop back here at COP TYNES. We executed an Air Assault mission at the beginning of the month, and have since refocused into our AO in Jelawur. The Troop distributed Foreign Humanitarian Aid to the poorer people of the village, and it(nix it) was a huge win for the Afghan Police and their perception in the village. As fall slowly begins and the weather is changing, football fever has infected the Troop. Saturday and Sunday nights you can find guys surrounding the TVs watching the games and checking their Fantasy Football teams. The Troop most recently had an Ultimate Football Tournament on the COP. To the chagrin of Red and White Platoons, the HQs team won the day. While 1SG Reome was home on some well deserved leave, SFC Sanchez filled in as Troop 1SG. He did an excellent job and assist the XO and myself in maintaining operations and logistics. I am very thankful for his knowledge and expertise over the last month and have learned a lot from him. As I continue to lead these Soldiers, I continually see how blessed I am to be in this position and have this opportunity. Again, I owe a huge thank you to the families back home who have given their Husbands/Sons/Brothers for service to our awesome Country. Thank you. God Bless, CPT Jourdan Kintz

From Ares 7,
Greetings: The end of September has come and gone and Ares Troop remains at the spearhead of several operations in our area of responsibility. This month began with a three day Air Assault mission into the village of Asad Kalay. This mission was especially important because it was directly responsible for Blue platoons safety as they convoyed through treacherous terrain with their vehicles. The mission was an absolute success and the Troop was able to find a large cache of explosives which were taken off of the battlefield and out of the enemys hands. Upon completion of the Air Assault, Ares Troop returned to regular patrols into the villages of Durie and Jelawur. The men are working hard to ensure these villages stay safe and are constantly working towards better relationships with our Afghan counterparts. Ares Troop continues to work side by side on every mission with our Afghan partners and we are starting to see them take charge and leading some of their own patrols which is a great goal towards ending the war in Afghanistan. The men spend their down time either in the gym or in the MWR contacting their families and keeping them updated. When your husbands, sons, brothers , and fathers return, you will notice that many have changed their appearance to a more muscular form. Lifting weights and running on treadmills is a daily event which only makes them a better fighting force. Fall is on the way and so are the holidays. Feel free to send Halloween apparel for the month of October. The men would like nothing other than to have a best costume party on Halloween night. I am certain that the winner of this event will be rightfully rewarded. Sitting in as acting 1SG this month has been a great experience for me. It was definitely eye opening and rewarding at the same time. Nothing has made me prouder this deployment than to be able to serve with the men of Ares Troop this month and be able to see them through the eyes of the 1SG position. The NCOs, Officers, and Soldiers of this Troop made this month run as smooth as possible. Thank you. Best Wishes, SFC Cesar S. Sanchez 2 PLT Platoon Sergeant

--SCOUTS OUT--

Pictures From The Front

B/3-71CAV Bandit
From Bandit 6,
Bandit Troop and our ANSF partners began the month celebrating the Muslim holiday of Eid alFitr. We watched the locals of our area shoot homemade fireworks (and some ANSF shoot tracer rounds) into the sky as bonfires littered the Bandit landscape. It was a great way to bring Ramazan to an end and begin September. It has been a busy, but quiet month here as the Troop has begun preparations to handover our area of operations to our brothers to the north. There are many changes in store for Bandit Troop in the coming weeks, but I have no doubt our Troopers will meet any challenges with the same dedication and intensity that has defined this troop from day one. With football season in full swing, it is not uncommon to see Bandits up in the middle of the night screaming at the TVs, cooking chicken wings and pizza, and drinking Becks near-beer. We will see what the season, and next month have in store! Until thenRecon Damnit! Best Regards, CPT Mike Skok Bandit Troop Commander keep your Bandit Soldiers focused to continue to build on their success for the rest of this deployment. This past weekend was the first BANDIT Football party, with LT McCarthy and SFC Adam bringing their Buffalo Style wings to the table and SFC Dickson tapping into his sensitive side and preparing pizza for the Soldiers. We had a great turn out to see the family come together and enjoy each other. It was more rewarding for LT McCarthy because the Buffalo Bills are starting off with a winning season for a change. Well, I hope that many of you enjoyed meeting CPT Skok while home for R & R at the FRG meeting. I know that he really enjoyed meeting you guys. I would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest BANDIT Princess, that recently joined CPT and Mrs. Barb Skoks family. I am sure that the BANDIT family has already extended their support as Mrs. Skok has done since coming on board. Also we ask that we extend our warm BANDIT welcome to the following new BANDIT SOLDIERS and their families: PFC Sean Kuhns, PVT Jackie Diener of 1ST Platoon, PVT Nicholas Bunch of 2ND Platoon, PVT Eric Miskuf and PFC Jose Deltoro and his wife Crystal who are expecting their first child in February, (both Soldiers are in 3rd Platoon). Until next time, take care and remember taking care of each other is Too Easy.

From Bandit 7,
Hello there Bandit Family. I would like to take this opportunity to let you know that your Soldiers are doing a heck of a job. Bandit Troop has led the way ,keeping pressure on the enemy in our area even with platoons operating independently from each other. As weve approached this halfway mark of the deployment, we are frequently reminded through the numerous care packages we receive that we have only been successful because of support from the home front. This is where we have to dig a little deeper from both ends because we get excited knowing that we are almost done. I am calling upon the support foundation of this troop to help

Best Regards, 1SG Lorenzo Gibbs Bandit Troop 1SG

--RECON DAMNIT!--

Pictures From The Front

RECON

C/3-71CAV Cherokee 6 & 7

September 2011 Cherokee Newsletter Another month has come and gone in Afghanistan, which brings us one month closer to coming back home. This one as last one has been extremely busy, in a good way. Being over here with nothing to do would make for a very long deployment but we have stayed very busy. Cherokee conducted an air assault earlier this month that had us climbing the mountains of Afghanistan which again showed the Soldiers and myself that this country is exceptionally beautiful in an Arizona like, rugged way. Hopefully, one day the peace will be stable enough here where other people can also come and enjoy a fresh picked peach, plum or pomegranate and enjoy the rugged beauty it has to offer. This would be a perfect mountain biking, hiking or camping excursion. During the air assault mission we were tasked to conduct overwatch of another convoy passing through and securing the flank of that convoy. We inserted at night to an unknown location which for some who have never been afforded the opportunity to do it can be a little unnerving for the first time. When that helicopter takes off and leaves you there it takes a minute or two to get your bearing and realize where you are, then you get accountability of all passengers to ensure everyone is accounted for and didnt leave their weapon on the helicopter. Then, in this terrain you need to find a suitable route in which to get to your final location. I do believe that every one of the Cherokee troopers thoroughly enjoyed this mission and gave them some look at some different terrain. Unfortunately in an officers career there are points that you never want to get to. The worst point is when you are coming out of command and staying extremely busy every day and then realizing that you will never have to be that busy again until you get selected for the next higher level command. Well this month we started conducting inventory of all my assigned equipment with CPT Christian Drennen (the incoming commander). I am confident that the Cherokee Troopers will be in competent and good hands under the helm of CPT Drennen and am pleased that he was the one chosen to take the reins of Cherokee troop. I would like to extend a warm Cherokee welcome to Chris and his wife Heike to the family. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Heather Lamb, Mrs. Jenn Anderson, Mrs. Kelly Gross, Mrs. Cheyenne Powers, Mrs. Chelsey Wilson, Mrs. So-Yeon Jegal and SGT Thomas McGredy for taking care of the families back at Ft Drum. I know many others volunteer in an unofficial category and my deepest and most sincere thanks goes to all of you. In closing I would like to let you know that after three times over here, this has been by far my most memorable and enjoyable. This is mainly due to the exceptional Soldiers that I call Cherokee family and their positive look on everything. There is never a day goes by that I am not in awe at what the troopers have accomplished as a team. The country is becoming more secure and hopefully one day we wont have to send our loved ones over here to keep the peace. The Cherokee family has taken the counterinsurgency fight to a new level in the Arghandab River valley; one where the local populace embrace our patrols and actually love the peace that has been afforded to them through this time. We are truly thankful for the peace we still have in American and I want to thank each and every family member and friend for their devotion and support to their loved ones guarding the Americans freedom. No Soldier can do it alone, the most important part is the support from the home front, without it would make this year a very, very long ordeal. Thanks!! Cherokee 6 & 7

RECON

Pictures From The Front

Local children with Eid gift of sunglasses

Rugged beauty from air assault mission

Helicopter for night air assault.

ANA handing out humanitarian aid

Putting smiles on childrens faces by handing out soccer balls.

Stuffed animals are a favorite of Afghanistan children too!!

D/710th BSB / 3-71 FSC Diablo

Commanders Comments
Hello again Diablo family members, Life continues to treat us well here even though the weather has gotten noticeably cooler in the past couple of weeks. At night you could even say it is starting to get cold. Nowhere near FT Drum cold, but when you go from 100 degrees during the day to 70 degrees at night it certainly feels a lot chillier. Hopefully you are enjoying the changing colors of the leaves back home. I always thought early fall in Upstate NY was a pretty time of year. I know it has been tough for some of you getting the kids back to school while your spouse is over here. I also know how much they wanted to be there to send them off. Thank you for your patience and the sacrifices you make every day. The Soldiers continue to impress me and 1SG Toney with their efforts on this post and in the work they perform out in sector each day. I also hear great comments from members of the Squadron and from visitors like Command Sergeant Major Greca, the 10th Mountain Division CSM, who visited this month. I look around on our COP and can't believe how much work the Soldiers have done in such a short period of time all while performing their MOS duties. We opened a new Dining Facility this month and are trying to come up with a creative name for it. "HELL's KITCHEN" and the "DIABLO CAF" were two of the suggestions so far. The other Troops also now have an opportunity to take a knee and catch their breath in the DFAC where they can enjoy a smoothie or some ice cream when they need to visit. Our new Aid Station is also very close to being complete and should be ribbon cut ready in about a week. We had some visitors to help us this month with our improvement projects: members of the Navy's Construction Battalion 1, affectionately known as "SeaBees", visited us and assisted with earth moving equipment, tent deck builds, and other carpentry/electrical jobs. They have been a big help and it also gave the Soldiers an opportunity to work with some members of the Navy, which is pretty uncommon in a landlocked country like Afghanistan. We had some more promotions this month which is always a good thing, and we even promoted WO Copeland to CW2 on September 11th of 2011. It was good in that it brought some joy to what would otherwise have been a somber 10 year remembrance of September 11th, 2001. We completed our Army Physical Fitness Test out here and the progress that was made was unbelievable. I can't think of a single Soldier that didn't improve in some way on their test. It really shows that the Soldiers are making the most of their off time and are setting goals to improve themselves. I have also been impressed with the number of Soldiers who are still signing up for college classes online while they are deployed. Everyone is glad that football season has begun and the fantasy football leagues are in full effect, should make for some interesting results as time goes on. I am pulling for the Oakland Raiders and 1SG is rooting for the Dallas Cowboys. We'll probably both wind up with hurt feelings but loyalty with sports teams is important. With that I will close but I want to thank you all again for your efforts and for the support you give at home and on the phones/email each day. Take care Give Em Hell - - CPT U

1st Sgts Notes

What a great month for the Diablos. Let me start off with the birthdays: CW2 Copeland, SPC Gray, SPC Karstetter, SPC Lee, SGT McClure, SSG Ortega, PFC Otis, and CPT Urynowicz. Next, SPC Keasler re-enlisted in the US Army, changing his occupation to a Medic. It is great seeing professional Soldiers staying in the Army. The grand opening of Hells Kitchen, a long awaited new Dining Facility. Our Soldiers and DynCorp personnel put a lot of hard work and time into the completion of Hells Kitchen. A great motivator for our Soldiers, getting great chow after a hard days work. Four Diablo Soldiers advanced to the next rank and with that comes more responsibility. PV2 Otis to the rank of Private First Class (PFC), PFC Noda, Mayberry, and Kramer to the rank of Specialist (SPC), and finally WO1 Copeland to Chief Warrant 2 (CW2). Truly deserving of their promotions. SGT Lyons received an Army Achievement Medal for his service on his last deployment with 10th Mountain Division. LTC Helwig and CSM Williamson frequently visit their Diablo Soldiers, this time dropping off care packages from local business and people around the Watertown/Ft. Drum area. They presented the 710th challenge coins to CPL Stephens, SPC Saratsikian, PFC Browning, and SSG Williams, Jeffrey. A week later, CSM Greca the RC-S CSM and the 10th Mountain Division CSM visited Diablo. Education and informing our Soldiers. He also presented the 10th Mountain Division coins and poker chips to numerous Soldiers. Finally, COP Jelawur is now called COP Dashtu. When sending your Soldiers mail, please dont forget to use COP Dashtu. 1SG Anthony Toney

Pictures From The Front

ARIES FRG News

Dear Aries Families I would like to take a moment to introduce myself and Family. I am married to 1SG Reome. We have been living the Army life for over 16 years. We have 3 wonderful children. We have been stationed at Fort Drum for over 3 years. I am looking forward to meeting all the Ares Troop Families. I hope Everyone is doing Well. Keep Your Heads Up and Stay Safe Guys. We Love and Miss Our Ares Troopers!! Kristy Reome A TRP FRG Leader

Allen Sr. & Allen Jr. 1SG Reome was home on R&R and made it to Allen Jr's First Soccer Game for the Season.!

The Madero Family

BANDIT FRG News

Dear Bandit Families Oh where do I begin!?! Is September really over? The Bandit Ladies sure have been doing a wonderful job at keeping the FRG Calendar full and enjoying each others company at all 3-71 events and activities. This month's meeting was a special meeting as all Bandit wives had the opportunity of meeting the new Bandit Troop Commander, CPT Michael Skok. After a SHORT ;) rundown of upcoming Bandit FRG and Titan calendar events the wives were able to get a full rundown on exactly what their husbands have been doing and will be doing in Afghanistan. The Bandit Ladies were then able to ask questions and finally get some answers. Although I do think you ladies should have given your husbands Commander a harder time I know he appreciated the fact that the questions weren't hard to answer. Thanks to all the hard working ladies in the Squadron, the Bandit Troop Families will be enjoying a relaxing and fun pajama night at The Commons watching Spookie Buddies with the Bandit kids. After getting everyone in the holiday spirit we will then be packaging up candy goodie bags for all of our deployed Bandit Troopers. But don't you worry, just because September is over and we can now officially say our Troopers are "Halfway Home", the Bandit FRG does not plan on slowing down. Our next FRG meeting is October 18th at the Monument Ridge Community Center starting at 6pm. There we will be celebrating everyone's Birthday that was in the month's of August, September and October. This will be a potluck style meeting where all the Bandit Ladies will be bringing in their best dish cooked. The FRG will be providing the cake and drinks. This is sure to be a great meeting as it will be our official Halfway Home Meeting. After the FRG meeting we will also be cooking up our best chili dishes to enter them in (and WIN) the Titan Chili Cook-Off. And just days later the Bandit Ladies will be enjoying themselves, in costume, at the Titan Masquerade Medley. So as you can see, just like our Troopers, there's no slowing down in sight. We will continue to keep ourselves busy and enjoy each others company until our Troopers come home.

I want to say a special thank you to two of our amazing volunteers. Shannon Dickson arranged the venue, very last minute I might add, for the September FRG meeting. She also stayed late, with her kids, on a school night to make sure all clean up checklist items were taken care of. Shannon is always on top of every FRG callout serving as one of Bandit Troops Key Callers and has agreed to continue to reserve the Bandit Troop FRG meeting locations for the year. Thank you Shannon so much for all you have done and continue to do. And then there is Lori, Lori Beltran also volunteers as one of our Key Callers and is always the first to get back her Key Caller report. Not only is she the first to get her reports turned in but she's always the first to offer to help. I swear, this woman would give you her house if her husband would let her. Lori is also our volunteer that worked on and brought us our Bandit Troop Deployment T-Shirts. Without her help I can honestly say you may never have seen a T-Shirt let alone had the chance to now own one. So thank you again girls for all that you do. You'll never know how much your support is appreciated. Barbara Skok B TRP FRG Leader
The Bandit Kids enjoying dinner at the September FRG meeting. Riley Gibson, Katherine Skok's partner in crime

BANDIT FRG Photos

Dinner time at the Bandit FRG meeting

The Bandit Ladies enjoying each others company waiting for the September Bandit Troop FRG meeting to start.

Lauren and Dakota soaking up the sun.

The Bandit Kids showing their climbing skills at Titan Org. Day.

Jennifer, Vince and Riley enjoying Titan Org. Day

Lauren Beltran at the Bandit Troop FRG meeting holding the newest Bandit addition, Katherine Skok.

Lety Giron showing her skills at Titan Org Day.

CHEROKEE FRG News

Dear Cherokee Families Well September has came and went , Kids are back in school and we are on the downward slope of this deployment. I have to thank all the families in Cherokee Troop for everything you do and continue to do to support our soldiers downrange. I would also like this time to thank Kelly Gross for volunteering for the FRG, even though she has stepped down she will remain an asset and she has done so much for the Cherokee Troop Family and I know she will continue to do so. Take a Bow Mrs, Gross !! Heather Lamb Cherokee Troop FRG Leader

Spouse in the Spotlight; Chelsey has been an amazing support system for the Cherokee Troop Family . She has been a driving teacher , crisis manger and all around great friend to the wives in the Fort Drum area. She has now taken on the role of key caller for our troop. I have to say I have never seen such a kinder person. She is a asset to the Cherokee Troop Family and the Army as a whole. I can't thank her enough for all the care and support she provides to our families and soldiers downrange. Take a Bow Mrs, Wilson !! !

Chelsey Wilson

DELTA FRG News

Dear Delta Families With school back in session, many of us are getting back into a routine that we seem to put aside during the summer. Besides a few rainy days, this weather has been nice and I hope you all are enjoying it before that dreaded 4-letter word (snow) appears in a couple more months. Thank you to Christina K., Theresa C., and Michelle F. for donating school supplies. We filled 21 bags for Operation Education. These bags will be distributed to the children in Afghanistan.

Olivia and Gabe Medina enjoying pizza and punch before the start of Spooky Buddies at the Titan Movie Night.

Chief Copeland and family enjoying R&R in Germany.

SSG Williams and SSG Williams enjoying R&R in Las Vegas!!

Upcoming Events: Oct 8th Behlings Orchard in Mexico for apple picking and fun! We will be leaving Drum area at 0900. Behlings accepts cash only (weather permitting) Oct 9th Adirondack Community Center 1p-4p (Soldier Halloween care packages) Oct 12th 3-71 SQDN FRG Meeting 6-8pm at Riva Ridge Chapel Oct 18th 3-71 SQDN FRG Chili cook-off (Watch your email and Facebook for more details) Oct 29th 3-71 SQDN Masquerade Medley (watch your email and Facebook for more details) Oct 31 Ft. Drum Halloween 5-8pm

We have completed our journey of 6,585 miles to our soldiers in the Walk to Afghanistan and have made the U-turn back to Ft. Drum. Lets complete another 6,585 miles before they return! 3-71 no longer has a FRSA. Shane Henderson has moved out of the area with his family. He was a great asset to the Titan family and will be greatly missed. Thank you for ALL you do! Michelle Frondorf Delta Company FRG Leader

HELLCAT FRG News

Dear Hellcat Families The Hellcat families have been busy this month wrapping up the summer months and getting ready for the start of school. We closed our summer with the celebration of our squadron Organizational Day, and had a wonderful turnout of families and friends squadron wide. Our families enjoyed the rock climbing wall, the bouncy houses, the water slides, and the friendship. Thank you to all the families that made our squadron Organizational Day a great success. With the Hellcat kiddos back into the swing of school, time has seemed to speed up as we are closing in on our 6th full month down through this deployment. We had a good turnout of families at the squadron FRG meeting, and with September coming to a close, we have a few events to look forward to in the near future. Keep a look out for photos of the squadron movie night that is happening at the end of the month, the squadron Chili cook off, and also our Halloween party!! Lastly we want to thank all the ladies who have been walking their way to Afghanistan! The Hellcat Hunnies are 400 miles shy of making it all the way to Afghanistan, and will shortly be starting our walk back to Fort Drum. Thank you to all of our Soldiers for all that you do, our hope for this walk is that we can contribute just a little extra each week in our lives as a thank you, as well as support all of you! We love you guys! Stay Safe!!!! Mileva Repasky HHT FRG Leader Elizabeth Tripp and her children at Organizational Day

Caitlynn Landay Reaching the top of the rock climbing wall at ORG Day.

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