LONGRIFLEs WEEKLYA publication of the 2/138th FAR

I believe that everyone has been thinking and talking about redeployment. This is to be expected at the end of a deployment. Within the Forward Support Company we have conducted briefings in order to ensure our Soldiers are informed about what issues

will need to be addressed when they reach Camp Atterbury and their depoyment orders have ended. Some of those issues are employment, education information and unemployment benefits, even though Sgt. 1st Class Perales wants everyone to get a job. Try to have patience with everyone as we get closer to the end. Refinement of information will happen, when it does, we will push out the new information as soon as possible. Give it time and everything will fall into place and be ready as the end of deployment gets near. Inventory your gear ahead of time and fill out your DA1750. Remember not to mail your equipment home. We all get tired and forget the little details. Also, think about your personal belongings and stuff you accumulated. Start cleaning and organizing your CLUs and decide what to take home, what to sell, and what to leave for the next person to use. Whether you realize it or not, we have been here a long time and difficulties and obstacles can become frustration. Remember to stay positive. ~ Capt. William Riley

CPT’s Corner

As the time nears to go home, there are a few things we need to start considering. One important topic is what to do with all the money you saved up during this deployment. I am not here to tell you how to spend your money, however, after

a few deployments under my belt I have seen many Soldiers blow their hard-earned money on needless luxury items e.g. expensive cars, expensive jewelry for themselves or significant others and home/apartment leases that will not be affordable down the road. Hopefully this deployment has helped many of you get out of debt and helped re-establish your financial security.On a final note, I’d like to congratulate the two FSC Soldiers who won their respective “NCO/Soldier of the Month” during the deployment, Sgt. Joseph Workman and Cpl. Demarcus Hopson. Both of these Soldiers have consistently gone above and beyond to contribute to the success of our unit’s mission. It’s been a pleasure to work with both of you and I wish you good luck on the upcoming Soldier of the Year Board. ~ 1st Sgt. Marty Cotrell

1SG Thoughts

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Ky Guard Soldiers Share Best Practices in Comoros

Story and photos by Sgt. Alexa Becerra, 2-138th FAR PAO

April 27, 2013Volume 1, Issue 27

COMOROS – Five Kentucky National Guard Soldiers from the 2-138th Field Artillery Regiment, currently deployed to the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Free-dom, recently conducted a military-to-military mission in the East African partner nation of Comoros.

The purpose of the mission was to conduct a basic command and control (C2) and Urban Search and Rescue seminar in order to enhance the Comoran military’s capabilities and ca-pacity.

“This seminar will help me very much in my job,” said Staff Sgt. Daroueche Mbae, a policeman in the Comoran Gendar-merie. “The Urban Search and Rescue and the Triage portion will be very useful to me on a daily basis.”

The Gendarmerie, similar to State Police, are not only law enforcement but also are act as first responders to natural di-sasters. They work in conjunction with the Comoran Army.

Along with the planned portions of the seminar, there were also a couple of impromptu classes. As Lt. Col. Rob Larkin, commander of the 2-138th, and Lt. Col. Phil Honican were teaching the triage portion, they realized that the soldiers and

COMOROS - Lt. Col. Rob Larkin, commander of the 2-138th Field Artillery Regiment and Firefighter/Paramedic in his civilian career, shows a member of the Gendarmeria a knot used in Urban Search and Rescue.

Longrifles WeeklyPage 2

Chaplain ReflectionsCapt. John T. Ferrier was an Air National Guard Pilot and a Korean War veteran. In June, 1958, he was flying in an air show with a jet precision team. During a very difficult maneuver, Ferrier’s Sabre jet malfunctioned and began to roll. Ferrier was ordered to eject. He answered only

with a puff smoke each time the command was made. Capt. John Ferrier kept control of his jet just long enough to crash it in a vacant field beyond a close by neighborhood. He could have saved himself, but instead he gave his life for others. A few days later his family found a small paper card in his billfold, worn and tattered, it read God First, Others Second, I am Third. It turns out that John received this card from a basketball coach when he was a young man. Those words became his way of life and death. “God First, Others Second, I am Third,” as a style of living and dying does not happen overnight. It happens in those little daily decisions that we make everyday so that life can be a little easier on those around us and sometimes a little more difficult on us. Let us begin again today to live; God First, Others Second, I am Third. ~ Chaplain Mark East

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Soldier to Soldier • Soldiers, do not forget to visit http://

operationhiredjibouti.com/ This website is designed to help Kentucky Guard Soldiers find jobs upon returning from deployment.

policeman present weren’t familiar with basic first aid. Since they both are Firefighters and Paramedics in their civilian ca-reers they were also able to touch on basic first aid.

In addition, the Comoran Army has recently formed a public affairs section. Sgt. Alexa Becerra, a Public Affairs Non-Com-missioned Officer for the 2-138th, was able to share best prac-tices, exchange experiences and mentor Sgt. Nidhaim Soilhe, the public affairs non-commissioned officer for the Comoran Army.

“To have this partnership and relationship with the Comoran military helps not only for the security of this country, but for the security of East Africa,” said Capt. Josh Grace, mission commander. “The tools and practices that we’ve shared will help them prosper and help both our nations against world threats.”

The Comoran Army has recently developed a new special force unit whose sole mission is to respond to incidents and natural disasters, along with the Gendarmerie.

“These five days of sharing of experience and knowledge will be very helpful for our newborn Special Force Unit,” said Lt. Said Yasser, the Communications director for the Comoran National Army of Development. “Their missions will require them to use what we have learned this week on a daily basis.”

“In the future, we will be deploying with the East African Standby Forces and having the these Soldiers share their ex-periences from many years of protecting their people. This has been very helpful to us,” said Yasser. “We would like the Soldeirs to share their urban operations tactics and how they react to contact with us so we can strengthen our skills to be ready for combat.”

On graduation day certificates were presented to all service members who attended the seminar and each Soldier received a coin from the Comoran Army. After graduation, the Co-moran forces prepared a lunch of local cuisine and the chief of staff of the Comoran Army was present. He expressed his gratitude for the seminar and said they look forward to con-tinuing this unique partnership.

Photo of the Week!

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Spc. Eric Gipson, Spc. Steve Meihaus and Spc. Ryan Stull volunteered their time to conduct a Combat Life Saver (CLS) course available to service-members and civilians at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. This was the second CLS course these Soldiers have conducted. (Photo by Sgt. Alexa Becerra, 2-138th FAR PAO)