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

Soldiers of 2nd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div., stand in formation during the brigade’s deployment ceremony on Founders Field, Fort Carson, Colo., Sep. 27. The brigade cased seven guidons, the Brigades and one for each of the battalions, in preparation for their deployment to the Middle East.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., 16trh FA Reg, hugs his wife Kim and three boys, Tyler, 10, Bailey, 8, and Ducati, 1, at the end of the Brigade’s casing ceremony on Founders Field, Fort Carson, Colo., Sep. 27.

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 CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Robert Lehtonen 2nd ABCT CSMMaj. Chris Maestas.................................................PAO OICStaff Sgt. Andrew Porch..................................PAO NCOICSgt. Marcus Fichtl...............................Layout and DesignStaff Sgt. Andrew Porch............................................Editor

Warhorse Pride

Pfc. Isaiah Lee, chaplains assistant, HHC, 204th BSB, 2nd ABCT, plays a game with his son, Achilles, 2, during the battalion’s Family Organization Day at a local Family fun center on Colorado Springs, Sept. 20. “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.

‘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 Porch2nd ABCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

3-16 FARDyanne Beckman.........................................................526-1635dyanne.m.beckman.civ@mail.mil

1-67 ARSGT James Riggs...........................................................524-1476James.g.riggs.mil@mail.mil

204th BSBMSG Nolan Johnson....................................................526-4172nolan.j.johnson.mil@mail.mil

2-8 INUrsula Pittman...........................................................526-0727ursula.t.pittman.civ@mail.mil 2 STBSGT Tanisha Scott.....................................................503-2602tanisha.m.scott2.mil@mail.mil

Find us on Facebook at:http://www.facebook.com/2bct4id

2nd ABCTValarie Adams............................................................524-4797valarie.a.adams.civ@mail.mil

1-10 CAVFrancy Arvizu..............................................................526-1946francy.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 Springs10:00 a.m.

Trinkets and Treasures Sale@Salvation Army Community Center8:00 a.m.

Western BBQ and Concert@ Balack Box Theater6:30 p.m.

Body Mind SpiritCelebration Expo @ Colorado SpringsCity Auditorium10:00 a.m.

Colorado You Got Talent@Stargazers Theater1:00 p.m.

8th Annual Colorado Springs CROP Hunger Walk@ Grace and St. StephensEpiscopal Church1:00 p.m.

Hellscream Haunted House@Haunted Attraction6:30 p.m.

Hansel and Gretel@The Simpich ShowcaseMarionette Theater2:30 p.m.

Healing Core Issues@The Center for Powerful Living6:00 p.m.

America’s Got Tslent Live@Pikes Peak Center7:30 p.m.

Real Ghost of Pikes Peak -A Walking Tour@The Mining Exchange7:00 p.m.

Food tour in Manitou Springs@Downtown HistoricManitou Springs5:30 p.m.

Ladies Night Out - Wear Pink!!!@The Melting Pot6:00 p.m.

Night of Comedy@ Norris-Penrose EventCenter6:00 p.m.

Visit www.coloradosprings.com for more info

Better Opportunities for Single SoldiersPage 4 Issue 132 October 3, 2013