LONGRIFLEs WEEKLYA publication of the 2/138th FAR

Today, I would like to discuss the history of 2-138 Field Artillery Regiment and the legacy in which you have contributed. Our unit has fought in every armed conflict since the Mexican War and has been awarded 51 combat streamers. Now, everyone in the

Battalion can take pride that the next addition to our colors reflect your dedication, commitment, and duty to the unit, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the United States Army. Furthermore, every time you put on the uniform, look at your right sleeve. Each one of you has earned the right to wear the unit patch for life, regardless of whether you decide to leave or stay with the unit. This is a great honor that signifies your membership into a very small club. We have accomplished numerous goals while in theater and have exceeded the standards set forth in our lines of effort, graduating nearly sixty WLC candidates this week. It is our teamwork, flexibility, and professionalism that have enabled this mission to be successful; therefore, every time you look at your right sleeve, remember the progress we have brought to the Horn of Africa theater of operations. Thanks for your service, and God Bless. ~Capt. Vincent Barber

CPT’s Corner

We have reached and surpassed the midway point of this outstanding tour in the Horn of Africa. I can’t express enough how proud I am to be serving with the Soldiers of the 2-138th Field Artillery Regiment. We have accomplished so much, but let’s not ‘get it

twisted’. We still have a little ways to go. I have noticed that while we are still maintaining a high sense of readiness, some of us are getting comfortable. In this environment, we don’t want our comfort to turn into complacency. As the old saying goes ‘Stay Alert, Stay Alive’. Until our feet strike American soil again, and we are safe at home with our families, let’s be our brothers and sisters keepers.I also want to remind everyone that the Captain’s Cup Competition is coming up in April. I encourage us to swarm the base with Kentucky spirit. Let’s show up and show out in each event. Let’s leave a mark of motivation, team spirit, and true esprit de corps.Finally, I want to congratulate the participants in the Longrifle Raid for a job well done and to all the graduates of the Warrior Leader Course (WLC) in the Horn of Africa. ~1st Sgt. Robert Burns

1SG Thoughts

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 > > >

Don’t Call AAA,Call 2-138th FAR!

Story and photos by Sgt. Joshua Koch, 2-138th UPAHR

March 29, 2013Volume 1, Issue 23

DJIBOUTI - On March 22, 2013, several Force Protection (FP) Soldiers spotted a SeaBee, EO2 Meadors was broken down with a disabled piece of heavy equipment on the side of the road. As it happens, one of the FP Soldiers, Pfc. Wise of Bravo Battery, 2-138th Field Artillery Regiment, works on Caterpillar heavy equipment for his civilian job. This skill was handy in aiding Meadors.

Wise, who hails from Ewing, Ky., was able to change a large and heavy flat tire on a dirt road without the aid of anything other than a sledge hammer, crescent wrench, and a pipe. This was vital in returning the vehicle to service expedi-tiously, enabling Meadors to proceed with the equipment to a safe location.

Upon returning along the same route, the Soldiers again encoun-tered a disabled vehicle. This second vehicle was a SeaBee tractor-trailer was hung up off the road in a path ob-structed by rocks and debris. Wise was able to aid with the speedy liberation of the vehi-cle.

Longrifles WeeklyPage 2

Chaplain ReflectionsAs I heard reports of the snow falling across Kentucky this week, I could not help but recall Easter egg hunting with gloves and hat – even with snow-flakes falling. Those times are wonderful for our kids and for the kid in us. Aren’t you glad for the memories of Easter Sunrise

services complete with a church pancake breakfast? Let’s not forget those family Easter pictures where everyone had to get dressed up in special clothes – as a kid I was threatened with my life and then told to look happy for the picture. Dinner after Sunday morning Easter service always included several special dishes brought by various relatives or friends who all came together for an Easter feast. We are so fortunate to have these memories; at the center of them is our strong faith that “God so loved us that He gave his only Son.” As we give up our time together and spend this Easter separated from our family’s Easter events, may we all draw strength from knowing that we are following God’s eternal example of giving up His Son. There is a cost involved with giving and serving. Our faith in God can cause this Easter apart to draw us closer to the heart of God and in the end closer to each other. ~Chaplain Mark East

DON’T CALL AAA, CONTINUED FROM P. 1 > > >

Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/TaskForceLongrifles

Soldier to Soldier • April 1st is the deadline for Soldiers planning on

using their State Tuition Assistance for the summer and fall term. To submit application, go to https://ky.ngb.army.mil/tuitionstudent/frmLogin.aspx

• The deadline to file taxes is April 15. If you need to file for an extension, the website to do so is CombatZone@irs.gov . You will need to state that you are a Soldier deployed to Djibouti and qualify for combat zone tax exclusion, and you are requesting an extension for filing and paying your 2012 federal income tax. You will also need to provide your full name, stateside address and zip code from the last tax return you filed with the IRS, DOB and date of deployment to combat zone area.

• Need help filing an insurance claim for flood loss? Go to http://www.jagnet5.army.mil/pclaims

• The Dorie Miller Galley will be secured from 1530-1630 on 31 March in preparation of the Easter dinner. In addition, the Combat Cafe will be closed for dinner on 31 March.Quotations to live by...

• “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” -Aristotle

• “Men’s best successes come after their disappointments.” -Henry Ward Beecher

• “Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great.” -Orison Swett Marden

Wise is a 13 B (Cannon Crewmember) who is currently deployed to the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He enjoys diesel mechanics and working on pickups, and is also an expert at heavy machinery and vehicle maintenance. These civilian skills helped immensely in resolving the situations while supporting the SeaBees in this joint environment.

“All they needed,” Wise said, “was a little redneck intuition. I’ve changed many of these tires myself, and it was nice to get a chance to do my civilian job here.”

Photo of the Week

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Spc. Patrick Cross leads his squad during a Drill & Cer-emony evaluation for the Warrior Leader Course that took place here at Camp Lemonnier Djibouti, the 11th through the 28th of March. (Photo by Sgt. Alexa Becerra, 2-138th FAR PAO)