The Warhorse Pride is a bi-monthly newsletter produced by the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division, for the Soldiers, Families and friends of the "Warhorse" Brigade.
1. Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div. Issue 132 October 3, 2013
‘Warhorse’ cases colors, deployment a ‘GO’
Story and photos by Sgt. Marcus Fichtl
2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
A
break in the clouds let the sun
shine onto Founder’s Field, Fort
Carson, Colo., as the formation
of 2nd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div., Soldiers cased
its colors, Sept. 27., in preparation for their
upcoming deployment to Kuwait.
The Brigade, consisting of 4,000 Soldiers,
will deploy a fraction of their make-up for
nine months to conduct security cooperation,
joint exercises and training with our regional
partners.
“We’ll be working with our Kuwaiti and
regional partners doing joint exercises and
training, while also training on our own to
maintain our war fighting proficiency,” said
Lt. Col. Andrew Koloski, brigade deputy
commander, 2nd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div.
Just outside a year since the brigade
returned from Afghanistan, the unit will now
replace its sister brigade, the 1st Armored
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
“Raiders,” also from Fort Carson, Colo., in
Kuwait.
“Now it’s our turn, the nation calls
again, but this time it’s a different fight, but
it’s a fight that’s vitally important to our
national security,” said Col. Omar Jones IV,
commander, 2nd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div. “While
leaders and people across the world and across
our nation focus on the Middle East and focus
on the Arabian peninsula that’s where the
Warhorse Brigade will be. While deployed, it
will be our job to be ready, to respond to any
crisis within the region, to ensure the security
of American personnel and equipment in
three different countries, and to partner as
peers with many different nations as we share
techniques, work side by side, and get better
every day as we improve the capabilities and
effectiveness of both our team and theirs.”
The training facilities in Kuwait will
provide some of the best facilities that the
Army has available, said Jones. It will allow
for the final phase of the brigade’s unified land
operation training, a more traditional style of
fighting where for the brigade fights as one
cohesive unit against an enemy that is of equal
Soldiersof2ndABCT,4thInf.Div.,standinformationduringthebrigade’sdeploymentceremonyonFoundersField,Fort
Carson,Colo.,Sep.27.Thebrigadecasedsevenguidons,theBrigadesandoneforeachofthebattalions,inpreparationfor
theirdeploymenttotheMiddleEast.
strength and capability. A transformation
that began in the snows of Pinon Canyon and
matured in the scorching heat of the National
Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif.
“We are blazing a path that the rest of
the Army will follow as we transition out of
Afghanistan during the next 18 months,” said
Jones. “Our deployment exemplifies what
future operations will look like for the Army,
deploy from home station, deter aggression,
work closely with partners, and be ready to
respond to any crisis.”
The brigade cased seven guidons, one
brigade and six battalion guidons, colors
that have flown high above the beaches of
Normandy, the streets of Iraq, the mountains
of Afghanistan and soon the sands of Kuwait.
“The Brigade has trained hard, we’re ready
to deploy, we’re ready to give Raider Brigade
a break, and we look forward to the mission,”
said Koloski.
Spc.Brian
Widener,motor
transport
operator,
forward
support
company,3rd
Bn.,16trhFA
Reg,hugshis
wifeKimand
threeboys,
Tyler,10,Bailey,
8,andDucati,1,
attheendofthe
Brigade’scasing
ceremonyon
FoundersField,
FortCarson,
Colo.,Sep.27.
2. Warhorse PridePage 2 Issue 132 October 3, 2013
The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the
Soldiers of the 2nd Armored 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 Armored 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:
andrew.a.porch.mil@mail.mil
Col. Omar Jones IV......................2nd ABCT Commander
Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen 2nd ABCT CSM
Maj. Chris Maestas.................................................PAO OIC
Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch..................................PAO NCOIC
Sgt. Marcus Fichtl...............................Layout and Design
Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch............................................Editor
Warhorse Pride
Pfc.IsaiahLee,chaplainsassistant,HHC,204thBSB,2ndABCT,playsagamewithhisson,Achilles,2,duringthebattalion’s
FamilyOrganizationDayatalocalFamilyfuncenteronColoradoSprings,Sept.20.“It’sgreat,”saidLee.“Ithinkit’sagreat
timetobuildsomemoralewiththeSoldiersandletSoldiersoutforadaytohavesomefun.
‘Rough Rider’ Soldiers spend day with Family
Winner, winner, winner sounded as
hundreds of tickets spouted out an interactive
game, causing an ear-to-ear grin on the face
of Achilles, 2, son of Pfc. Isaiah Lee, chaplain
assistant, HHC, 204th BSB, 2nd ABCT, 4th
Inf. Div.
Soldiers, Family members and friends of
the “Rough Rider” Battalion participated in
a Family Organization Day at a Family fun
center in Colorado Springs, Sept., 20.
“We are here to let these guys relax, have
fun and enjoy themselves with their Families
and friends in the area,” said 1st Lt. Amanda
Weber, executive officer, HHC, 204th.
With a pending deployment in the next
couple weeks, leadership wanted to set aside a
day for the Soldiers and their Family members
to have fun and get to know each other.
“Other than the fact they are going to be
gone for around nine months and not able to
spend time with their families, it gives them a
break from the hard work that they have been
doing for the last few weeks,” said Young.
Soldiers enjoyed the time away from work.
“It’s great,” said Lee. I think it’s a great time
to build some morale with the Soldiers and let
Soldiers out for a day to have some fun.
Leadership encouraged Soldiers to bring
their Families for multiple reasons.
“It’s a very good time for spouses and the
kids to meet.” said Young. They can plan play
dates or meet each other so they have some
moral support for when their Soldier is gone,
their spouse is gone, their friend is gone and
they are here and wondering who can I talk
to.”
Lee, who brought his 2-year old son to
the dun center before, knew the day was
important for leadership too.
“It makes leadership happy to see that
Soldiers are doing good, and the happier we
are the better Soldiers we are.”
As time moves closer to deployment for
many of these Soldiers, leadership is ensuring
they are ready to go both physically and
mentally.
“I’m really proud of these guys,” said
Young. “They have grown so much over this
past year of training and I can’t wait to go
down range with these guys.”
Story and photos by
Staff Sgt. Andrew Porch
2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
3. 3-16 FAR
Dyanne Beckman.........................................................526-1635
dyanne.m.beckman.civ@mail.mil
1-67 AR
SGT James Riggs...........................................................524-1476
James.g.riggs.mil@mail.mil
204th BSB
MSG Nolan Johnson....................................................526-4172
nolan.j.johnson.mil@mail.mil
2-8 IN
UrsulaPittman...........................................................526-0727
ursula.t.pittman.civ@mail.mil
2 STB
SGT Tanisha Scott.....................................................503-2602
tanisha.m.scott2.mil@mail.mil
Find us on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/2bct4id
2nd ABCT
Valarie Adams............................................................524-4797
valarie.a.adams.civ@mail.mil
1-10 CAV
FrancyArvizu..............................................................526-1946
francy.arvizu.civ@mail.mil
FRSA Information
Family Readiness GroupPage 3 Issue 132 October 3, 2013
04
11 12 13 14 15 16
05 06 07 08 09 10Colorado Springs Science
Festival
@ Downtown Colorado
Springs
10:00 a.m.
Trinkets and Treasures Sale
@Salvation Army
Community Center
8:00 a.m.
Western BBQ and Concert
@ Balack Box Theater
6:30 p.m.
Body Mind Spirit
Celebration Expo
@ Colorado Springs
City Auditorium
10:00 a.m.
Colorado You Got Talent
@Stargazers Theater
1:00 p.m.
8th Annual Colorado
Springs CROP Hunger Walk
@ Grace and St. Stephens
Episcopal Church
1:00 p.m.
Hellscream Haunted House
@Haunted Attraction
6:30 p.m.
Hansel and Gretel
@The Simpich Showcase
Marionette Theater
2:30 p.m.
Healing Core Issues
@The Center for Powerful
Living
6:00 p.m.
America’s Got Tslent Live
@Pikes Peak Center
7:30 p.m.
Real Ghost of Pikes Peak -
A Walking Tour
@The Mining Exchange
7:00 p.m.
Food tour in Manitou
Springs
@Downtown Historic
Manitou Springs
5:30 p.m.
Ladies Night Out -
Wear Pink!!!
@The Melting Pot
6:00 p.m.
Night of Comedy
@ Norris-Penrose Event
Center
6:00 p.m.
Visit www.coloradosprings.com for more info