Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
Issue 11 May 6, 2010
Fantom FSC lends a hand at 2-8 gunnery
Story and photo by Capt. Kellye Green
204th Brigade Support Battalion
The Fantom Forward Support Company,
204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
continues to prove themselves during the 2nd
Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT,
4th Inf. Div. gunnery to be the unstoppable
force driving the 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Reg, to
operational success.
While the maneuver Soldiers are
qualifying on their tanks and Bradley’s the
FSC Soldiers are ensuring that they have the
fuel, maintenance support and ammunition to
keep their equipment operational and the food
to keep their Soldiers happy.
More than a week into gunnery the FSC
had already pumped 28,690 gallons of fuel,
delivered 184,644 rounds, served 7,270 meals
and conducted over 20 sustainment convoys—
and the Table 12 and Combined Arms Live
Fire Exercise are yet to come!
The Soldiers of the FSC are disciplined,
motivated and caring. They truly know what
a challenge it can be to sustain the Talons and
they are up for the challenge.
Recently, Lt. Col. Todd Bertulis, 204th
Brigade Support Battalion commander,
recognized the outstanding contribution
Command Sergeant Major’s Corner
Command Sgt. Maj. David Pierce, CSM
1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment
of the following Soldiers
from E, FSC: Pvt. Ronald
Taylor, a Bradley fighting
vehicle system maintainer,
Pfc. James Jordan, a motor
transport operator, Spc.
Jeremiah West, a radio and
communications security
repairer, Sgt. Joseph Hicks,
a motor transport operator,
and Sgt. Ryan Benally,
a track vehicle repairer,
with commanders’
coins for their excellent
performance. Soldiers from Fantom Forward Support Company, 204th Brigade Support
Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, load ammuni-
Each of these tion during a gunnery for 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment.
outstanding Fantom
Soldiers went well above and beyond the typical nearly six weeks. Wilson demonstrated the
scopes of their duties, to ensure the company proactive attitude needed to fill and hold this
missions didn’t fail at a time when many of leadership position.
their peers were unavailable due to gunnery Bertulis also awarded the Army
and Command Inspection Preparation. Achievement Medal to Pvt. Kylee Glass, a
Bertulis awarded the Army Achievement chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear
Medal to Sgt. Michael Wilson, a small arms/ specialist, whose motivation and initiative
artillery repairer, who was chosen over his since arriving at the company has been
peers to assume the duties of the maintenance displayed during the battalion Command
platoon sergeant, while the actual platoon Inspection Program.
sergeant was away at school. Glass was able to take control of the
Being an E-5, Wilson held an E-7 slot for continued on page 2
With all this training,
the need for healthy, capable
Soldiers is a must. The time we
As the Battalion Command gunnery in nearly two years here spend on our wheeled vehicles,
Sergeant Major of 1st Battalion on Fort Carson. This training tanks and Bradleys is used to
67th Artillery Regiment, my not only gives the Soldiers and teach our Death Dealers that
primary concern is the training, crews a chance to familiarize while we are a lethal fighting
welfare and safety of our Soldiers. and qualify with their vehicles force, we cannot maintain
From the beginning of my tenure, and weapon systems, but also our momentum without using
the battalion has continued to develops confidence in their proper procedures and the
grow and improve the training abilities to effectively fight on composite risk management
opportunities available for our today’s modern battlefield. The process. The vehicles and
Soldiers. In the past month we capstone exercise of gunnery was equipment we use deserve our
have executed some intense, the Combined Arms Live Fire respect and attention; they can
technical, fast-paced training to Exercise, the culminating event be incredibly unforgiving to
further improve the effectiveness that will qualify our company complacent or careless crews.
of our force. teams as a force to be reckoned The Death Dealers are also
Last month, we began our first with. continued on page 2
page 2
Buffalo Soldiers adopt a school
Story by Capt. Andrew Rossow
1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment
The Buffalo Soldiers’ Squadron Rear
Detachment began their efforts to partner
with Aragon Elementary School, assisting the
faculty with their spring carnival on April 9th.
Twelve Soldiers from 1-10 Cavalry
participated in the event, working in various
game booths, ticket counters and the
concessions stand.
One of the Soldiers, Spc. John Hooser of
Eagle Troop, was very familiar with the school
and members of the staff. Hooser’s son was a
student at Aragon until last year. year.
Col. John S. Kolasheski, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Command Sgt.
Maj. Kenneth Barteau, command sergeant major of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., award impact Army Achievement
Medals to Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., who were part of the
top gun crew during Table VIII Artillery Qualifications in April.
Soldiers awarded for excellence
Story and photo by 2nd Lt. Ian Faison
3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment
Soldiers from Battery A and B, 3rd Battalion,
16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade
Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, were
recognized for their outstanding performance
during Table VIII Artillery Qualifications in
April.
Col. John S. Kolasheski and Command Sgt.
Maj. Kenneth Barteau awarded impact Army
Achievement Medals to 3rd Bn., 16th FA Reg.’s
top gun crew from 1st Platoon, Battery A and
top Platoon Operations Center (POC) from 1st
Platoon, Battery B.
Lt. Col. Tom Munsey awarded Battery A’s
Paladin gun chief Staff Sgt. Starzane Stevenson
with the award for “Top Gun,” bestowing
him with the prestigious red gun cover for
achieving the highest top gun crew score in the
battalion. Each of the battalion’s 16 Paladins
Warhorse Pride Issue 11 May 6, 2010
continued from page 1
heavily engaged in programs to ensure
that our Soldiers stay safe off-duty.
Hooser enjoyed catching up with several of
Before our gunnery began, we organized
his son’s former teachers during the carnival.
a mock crash that helped illustrate how
Another Buffalo Soldier, Spc. Michael Jones
dangerous drinking and driving is. These
of Crazyhorse Troop, also had ties to Aragon’s
alcohol-related incidents can put Soldiers
faculty.
and civilians in the hospital or even
Jones, a native of Falcon, recognized
worse. It is paramount that our Soldiers
Aragon’s principal, Clinton Allison, as his
stay safe at all times. We have ensured
former high school track coach.
that the entire Death Dealer Family has
The carnival was one of several events
the tools and information they need to
scheduled as Aragon completes the final two
train and come home safely each day.
months of its school year. The Buffalo Soldiers
and the Aragon staff are looking forward to the
FSC at 2-8 gunnery
continued partnership in the coming school
continued from page 1
company’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical
Room and sign for and inventory all assigned
NBC equipment. Her ability to take charge and
excel during that inspection with that quantity
of equipment shows great responsibility well
above her rank.
There is not a day that goes by where the
FSC is not engaged conducting some type of
maintenance or supply operation. Range 143
and the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment,
motor pool are buzzing with activity
around the clock as the FSC Soldiers eagerly
prepare for daily Logistics Package, conduct
maintenance and cook for over 500 Soldiers.
Long days are the norm and the success of
this battalion depends on their support and
in turn the success of the brigade depends on
the battalion’s ability to do their mission. The
FSC always insures that the Talons are able to
do their mission. The FSC is an organization
where mediocrity and failure just are not an
option.
are named after a campaign in which 3rd Bn.,
16th FA Reg., fought. The crew of Automatic
13, “Central Europe”, triumphantly donned the
red cover on the howitzer after the ceremony.
Stevenson’s gun crew includes Sgt. Christopher
Hall, Spc. Michael Hann, Spc. Matthew Tsosie,
Pfc. Harry Escalera, Pfc. Wilmer Solo, and Pvt.
Robert Haas.
Munsey and Command Sgt. Maj. Delmer
Traylor also recognized 2nd Lt. Steve Hojnicki,
the Fire Direction Officer (FDO) for the
battalion’s top POC. The POC is graded on its
timeliness and effectiveness of processing fire
missions. The Soldiers that comprise the top
POC are Sgt. Lonnie Deswood, Spc. Robert
Ryder, and Spc. Michael Clair.
The commitment to excellence and
teamwork of these Thunder Pride Soldiers set
the standard and prepares 3rd Bn., 16th FA
Reg. for success in future combat missions.
page 3 Warhorse Pride Issue 11 May 6, 2010

First lieutenants climb up the ranks

Story by Capt. Colin O’Toole
1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment
(Photo by Mrs. Numbers)
Newly promoted Captains Christian Hirota, HHC,
and Derrick Numbers, Company B, both from 1st
Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat
Team, 4th Infantry Division, are congratulated by Lt.
Col. Michael Simmering, commander of 1st Bn., 67th
Armor Reg. after a promotion ceremony April 23.
A promotion ceremony for six first
lieutenants from 1st Battalion, 67th Armor
Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th
Infantry Division, was held at Alternate
Escapes April 23.
1st Lieutenants Derrick Numbers, Hal
Hoogstra, Jeremy Sung, Colin O’Toole,
Danny McPadden and Christian Hirota, were
promoted to captain. The ceremony marked
the next large step in the career of the young
officers.
The officers had spouses, relatives, or
children take off their First lieutenant rank
and attach their new captain rank. Capt.
Derrick Numbers’ grandpa had the honor of
acknowledging 1st Lt. Numbers for the last
time, before pinning on his captain bars.
Each of the newly promoted captains was
given time to say a few words. There were
“thank-yous” and a few shout-outs before the
next newly promoted officers spoke.
After the officers were promoted there was
a frocking of a newly appointed first sergeant.
Sgt 1st Class Brandon Knicely, will be assigned
to Company A, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg, the
“Assassins”.
The Assassins are one of 1st Bn., 67th Armor
Reg.’s two Infantry companies. Knicely will be
leading the company alongside Capt. Nathan
Garner, the Company Commander.
After the promotions and the frocking
ceremony, Lt. Col. Michael Simmering,
acknowledged another new first sergeant, 1st
Sgt. Elton Norman, from Company F, 204th
Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf.
Div.
Norman came to the Death Dealers from
Company A, 204th BSB. Finally, Command
Sgt. Maj. David Pierce, command sergeant
major for 1st Bn., 67th Armor Reg., presented
the staff of Alternate Escapes with a ceiling tile
as a token of gratitude from the Death Dealers.
“We had this made to mark our territory in
this establishment” said Pierce.
Next time you walk into the bar at Alternate
Escapes and order a drink at the front, look
straight up and know everything will be done
under the vigilance of the Death Dealers.
(Photo by Capt. Colin O’Toole)
The 1st Battalion, 67th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Coat-of-
Arms sits proudly in the ceiling above the front of the
bar at Alternate Escapes.

Chaplain’s Corner: making a difference

A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of
service and sacrifice compelled by compassion
are the things that renew humanity. Isn’t it
wonderful that those are the primary qualities
of moms?
This coming weekend is Mother’s Day. I
would like to take this opportunity to remind
you of the wonderful blessing of your mother.
Can you remember those times that you so
desperately needed a compassionate word of
encouragement or a comforting hug? It seemed
that a mother’s love could not be exhausted.
She was always there and ready to meet the
need or find a way to sooth the pain. We never
out grow our mother’s love for us or her desire
to see us happy.
I would like to encourage you to take the
time to do something special for your mother
this Mother’s Day. Sometimes the more direct
and simple the louder the thought is conveyed.
How beautiful a day can be when kindness
touches it!!
Blessings
CH (Maj.) Ricky Way
2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Chaplain

Warhorse
Pride
Col. John S. Kolasheski..................2nd BCT Commander
Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Barteau.....2nd BCT CSM
Lt. Col. Richard Stebbins................................2nd BCT PAO
2nd Lt. Christopher McMillan....................................Editor
Staff Writers
Sgt. Seth Barham and Spc. April York
The Warhorse Pride is produced in the approved by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team
interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Public Affairs Office.
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horse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and editor: c.mcmillan2@us.army.mil