New Years Day Blog
Written by: SGT Robin L. Done
All is quiet over the Arghandab River Valley, the clock is nearing twelve. There are no fireworks, no party hats, no confetti but many are up waiting, to bring in the Afghan New Year. As the clock strikes midnight, hugs, high fives and wishes commence. TF 1-66 is nearly half way through our deployment, and this New Year brings promise that we are that much closer to home, closer to spending time with our friends and loved ones.
New Years Day is a quiet one here on OCC-D; many are relaxing, taking sometime out of our hectic schedule to recognize and celebrate this holiday. Football games are playing in the DFAC throughout the day. Many are relaxing in the MWR, checking their e-mail, contacting families back home. Some are enjoying the day playing video games, board games or reading. Regardless of how each soldier spent their day, we all are thankful to be putting 2010 behind us and ready for what 2011 brings.
Dear Friends and Family Members of Crazy Horse Company,
Greetings from the surprisingly cold Arghandab River Valley! The weather here seems to be getting colder every day and while the soldiers do not like it out on the observation posts, the enemy cannot adapt to the changing conditions as well as we do and so we get more chances to remove him. We continue to set the standard for operations in the area of operations, and while we don’t publicize ourselves as much as we could, our actions speak louder than words. We have more IED finds, more patrols, more projects, and stronger security forces than just about anywhere else. All of this is being done while winterizing ourselves and the Afghan National Army and Police against the weather and the fast approaching rainy season. Our attachments have settled in and are providing much needed intelligence collection and police mentorship. They allow your soldiers to “get after” the enemy, something we have done with renewed success this month.
First platoon is continuing operations out of COP Johnston and improving the area around the village of Morghan. They completed a new playground for the children of the village that was occupied before the contractor even finished building it! They also have trash cleanup crews working and they have taken measures to improve the sanitation of the village and get the Afghans involved. These efforts, although they may seem thankless at times, produce results. The members of First Platoon were invited to three weddings in their area of operations, a very rare honor for those not in the extended family of the bride or groom. The relationships the soldiers in first platoon have with the people of Morghan and the surrounding villages helps us to build on the successes of this summer and fall and to create lasting security gains.
Second platoon flawlessly completed the move to COP Millet this month. They managed to completely close down COP Brunkhorst and move their entire set of equipment and intercept two IED emplacers during the move. This means they were focused, prepared, and had the mental toughness to overcome the distraction of the move and relentlessly pursue the enemy. Fantastic work. Living conditions are significantly better at COP Millet already, and when several contracts are in place it will improve even more. More importantly, the manner in which 2nd PLT cleared COP Brunkhorst allowed the owner and two other families to rapidly move in. This is important for our reputation and relationships with the locals, as well as denying the area to Taliban infiltrators that like to use abandoned compounds for sanctuary. We did not let that happen and it is a testament to the professionalism of the men of 2nd platoon. Thanksgiving was a bit of a challenge at COP Millet with the move, but as usual the soldiers came together to produce a meal that made the occasion special. Given the circumstances, I wouldn’t have wanted to spend Thanksgiving anywhere else (ok, maybe at home-but that’s it.)
Third platoon continues to excel in very complex terrain near Kandahar City. The tactical situation here is extremely fluid and it requires them to maintain a degree of mental flexibility that many units simply cannot. They are in the orchards and fields in the Arghandab one day, and patrolling areas of Kandahar City the next. The men of 3rd PLT maintain their sense of humor and the relationships they have with the locals enable them to succeed. Third platoon currently employs between 15-30 local afghans in a cash for work program every day. They have also repaired several wells, and put up a new playground in the school that is adjacent to COP Caron. It is truly amazing that they can accomplish all of this while aggressively targeting the enemy down here. Very impressive.
Headquarters platoon continues to keep the engine running down here at COP Caron. We moved into a new Command Post that took the Headquarters soldiers almost one month to build. They did such a fantastic job that many senior officers look on the building with some degree of envy. This building will enable us to support, target, and transition better and that will be a true combat multiplier. We have also signed for several newer and heavier vehicles which require significant maintenance and add to the already heavy load that the mechanics carry every day. Our long suffering shower trailer is operational here at Caron and the contract for two additional ones has stared the site preparation and should be completed by January. Our SPAWAR (internet and phone) equipment has arrived at every location and is prepared for the SPAWAR technician to connect. We do not have a time yet when the technician will arrive, hopefully our SATPHONES hold out until then!
Finally, the news I hear from the FRG indicates that the friends and family of Crazy Horse Company remain committed to supporting these great soldiers in combat. I would like to thank all of the ladies involved in the numerous fundraisers, they have been a great success so far! While there will be small disagreements between people, I believe that is normal and I appreciate how it has been kept to the level that does not affect the concentration of your soldiers on the battlefield. Make no mistake in this fight, at this time, the ability of the soldiers in Crazy Horse Company to focus on the important changes in their environment keeps them alive. The concentration required to make split second decisions is as important to them as their body armor. Thank you for the support that enables these soldiers to serve with incredible skill and professionalism.
CPT Reed
Crazy Horse 6
Dear Families and Friends of Crazy Horse Company
It has been a very productive month in the Arghandab. With the falling leaves and temperatures your soldiers have used the opportunity to pursue the enemy at every turn and to continue to improve the security of the areas they are responsible for. Your soldiers are operating under some of the most difficult conditions in theater and yet they still manage to accomplish more than most units on our left and right. It is a tribute to their dedication as well as the support that they receive from you. We have had several major additions to the company in the past month that will set us up very well for the months ahead. First, we received the Multi-Functional Team here at COP Caron. They are a military intelligence unit that will help us to better understand the enemy in the area. They have already “paid the rent” by helping us on two major operations. We are also receiving a military police unit to help with police mentoring in our area. This is an extremely important part of what we do and it is a critical step towards a self-sustaining security environment. Most importantly, we received a new Afghan National Army Company early in October. These soldiers and leaders are a significant improvement over the last group that we had. This is my third deployment and I have never seen a host nation Army unit as disciplined and focused on the fight as this one is. Over the next 4-5 months we will aggressively train these soldiers to be able to operate independently from our soldiers when the summer weather returns.
First platoon continues to excel at COP Johnston. They have received their ANA brothers and have truly exemplified the word partnership. They gave up half of their showers and half of the limited space at COP Johnston, which is saying a lot. They continue to find new ways to bring development to the people of the southern Arghandab while at the same time pursuing the enemy relentlessly. They cover the widest area in the Company and have been able to build incredibly strong relationships with the people in the area. These soldiers have a great reputation and they continue to build on this every day during their patrols. First platoon has an extremely complicated partnership relationship with both the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police and have managed to build both of those units into full fledged partners. It is an incredible feat that will have lasting benefit over the winter and then into the spring.
Second platoon continues to serve as the example for the counter IED fight in Afghanistan. They have had an extremely high success rate at finding IEDs that is being tracked at the highest levels of our Army. We are all proud of them and the disciplined way they approach their area. Every bomb they pull out of the ground is one less that can be used against us or the civilian population in the area. The people understand this and are starting to respond to the soldiers of second platoon, but it is a long road. They are operating in an area that has been routinely brutalized by the Taliban and is just now starting to see some sustained security. The good news for second platoon is that they are rapidly spending their last days at COP Brunkhorst in preparation for the move to COP Millet. We do not have a solid timeline on the move just yet, but when completed it will provide better force protection, better living conditions, and most importantly room for an Afghan National Army platoon to partner with. Second platoon is already conducting the best ANA training in the Company and when the new base is built they will be able to partner completely. The living conditions may be worse for the soldiers in the initial stages, but eventually will be significantly better than the conditions at COP Brunkhorst.
Third platoon continues to perform well in the most complex terrain in the company area. They must patrol in both the urban and the field conditions of the other two platoons and so far have performed extremely well. There are several other units around us down here, but the soldiers from third platoon have a reputation amongst the people of being respectful, fair, and always willing to talk to them about their problems. The human terrain down is extremely complex and the soldiers of third platoon continue to develop relationships and build their understanding. They continue to use these relationships to help out those in need and separate the Taliban from the people. Their successes have a direct impact on the security of Kandahar City, and thus on the rest of the effort. The way the people in their area light up when they see the American patrol down here is truly something amazing to see. They know they are secure, they know they will be treated with respect, and they know something will be done about the problems they have.
Headquarters platoon continues to fight to provide the three platoons what they need to defeat the enemy. The mechanics and the logistics soldiers here at COP Caron and the other COPs ensure that we all have safe equipment to operate and that it is mission capable when needed. We have not had a single vehicle or safety incident this deployment, which is a testament to the great NCOs we have as well as the mechanics and supervisors that ensure our equipment is maintained to standard. The “road warriors” from Headquarters platoon are the only element that conducts mounted patrols in the Company and conduct them with the same, preparation, dedication, and commitment to excellence that the line platoon soldiers have in conducting the dismounted patrols. The other aspect that I am proud of is that the headquarters soldiers deal well with the myriad of contractors that support our base down here. The Army system is still months away from getting us showers and laundry at COP Caron, but through determination and creativity, the HQ platoon mechanics and soldiers got one up and running just the other day. That was a big day for us down here.
Lastly I would like to thank all of the family members; you all are providing tremendous support. There are very few issues that come to my attention and I assume the attention of your soldiers and that is another way we keep them safe. We cannot afford to have unnecessary distractions pull us away from the extremely dangerous missions that go on every day. Any issues will be addressed promptly, but I appreciate the lack of “drama” that we have experienced in the company so far. Others have not been so lucky and it can be a significant drain on the most critical resource we have—time. Our Spawar (phones, internet, etc.) package has been approved for each COP; however it will be weeks before the equipment arrives and the technician arrives to install it. Please be patient and understand that we are doing the best we can to get better connectivity to the COPs, but it will take time.
Thanks again for all of your support; your soldiers inspire me every day.
CPT Reed
Crazy Horse 6
CRAZY HAT FRIDAY
If you were to ask any soldier here in the Arghandab River Valley; “What matters the most for morale?” the answer would be the Little Things?
Well here in TF 1-66 AR we have that answer in the way of a uniform modification. I know what you are thinking; “What about AR 670-1?” well the simple answer is that the Little Things really do matter.
Crazy Hat Fridays! It is just how it sounds, every Friday we get the choice to wear any head gear we deem fit. I have seen everything from Santa hats to a Bull Moose Hat, YES! A Bull Moose Hat!
I know it is not much but it brings smiles to the faces of each and every individual, mix that in with some laughter and you have a winning combination for a good time!
No matter the place or situation, if you are in the presence of laughter you won’t be able to help but Smile.
SSG Queen, Derrick
Turkey Day
As we prepare ourselves for the holidays, the OCC-D becomes quiet. As the unspoken longing for loved ones is intensified, the Soldiers seem unified as we are with our other family – the guys we have shed blood, sweat, and tears with. “Our Band of Brothers”
The lines for the computers and phones have increased tenfold as we all are willing wait in line to send our loved ones messages or to hear their healing voice on the phone. Though we are not physically with our loved ones we carry them around in our hearts and in our prayers.
Just like at home we all are ready to have great conversations, full bellies, and sit around the TV watching the most American Game on earth (FOOTBALL). As we count down the minutes until Thanksgiving dinner, we make a mental note of acceptance for each of the seven to ten pounds we are going to gain.
Holidays contain three main ingredients, the people you are with, the love you share, and tradition. Here at the OCC-D we are with our other family, whom we love like Brothers and who we share all of our traditions with.
SSG Queen, Derrick
We are now through the month of November and the Holiday Season
is upon us. We had our own Thanksgiving meal here, and our cooks and
Soldiers did an amazing job with the food prep and decorating to make it
seem like home. We were able to open the new DFAC “The Goetz” a few days
before Thanksgiving, so it was a nice treat to have an all new facility
to celebrate. Everyone seems really impressed with the new facility,
named in honor of Chaplain Goetz. He spent a lot of time in the old
DFAC talking to Soldiers, so it was only fitting the new facility is
named in his honor.
The Spaware facility is back up and is always a busy place to
be, allowing Soldiers to call or email home, or just have a place to
hang out and surf the web. We have also opened a little shop, run by a
local national who sells movies and cigarettes and other items for
Soldiers. This month also marks the first time we were able to get
finance to the OCCD, so guys who may not have been able to get to KAF
and draw money are now able to get some.
November was a busy month with a lot of moves happening. The
Scout team that has been detached to Alpha company is now back under
HHC’s wing. The mortar section was also relocated to COP Ware and did a
fantastic job with minimal notice to ensure we had our big guns back up
quickly. We have multiple construction projects planned for the OCCD, as
such there are always people coming and going here. One of our living
shacks has been named the Holiday Inn Express due to the amount of
people in and out.
I ask you to make a special effort to keep in touch with your
loved ones within Havoc. The next couple of months can be especially
hard on Soldiers as the “Holiday Blues” strike. I know this time is
hard on families as well, but together we will persevere and get through
these trying times. 1SG and I will keep a close eye out for all the
Soldiers, and the FRG has been doing an outstanding job in the rear.
They are there to help our families through rough times, or if need be
are a gateway to deployed Soldiers. Thanks you for your continued
support and prayers. Remember, regardless of the job, Havoc Soldiers
get it done!
HAVOC 6
Iron Knights!
v/r
Christopher J. Watkins
CPT, AR
Commanding
HHC TF 1-66
Arghandab Afghanistan
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