Dakota Troop 3-4 CAV Newsletter

June 2011-1st Edition

Commander & 1SG Section:

Dear Dakota Families, As always, it is an honor to write to you from Nangarhar Province amongst some of the nest Soldiers in the U.S. Army. Our mission of supporting the squadron gives us little time to rest, but all three platoons took a moment to reect on the past months events. Well let each platoon tell you what theyve been up to, but we will brag about our Soldiers who are rapidly rising through the ranks. Since we last wrote, we were proud to promote Private Emillieanne Canasa, Private Anthony Brown Jr., and Private Heavenly Redding to the rank of Private First Class. Whether your Trooper is in our Headquarters, the Dining Facility, Maintenance Platoon, or the Distribution Platoon, their service to the nation has made a signicant impact on our squadrons efforts here in eastern Afghanistan. This month has been a hot one, and your Soldiers continue to battle the heat and do a fantastic job out here, all the while planning to return to our Families. I assure you all back in Hawaii and the Mainland that your Soldiers think of you day and night, and your calls, letters and packages often set the tone for a whole week. Thanks for all your efforts in the rear. We couldnt do this without you. Dakota! CPT Brian Hughes and 1SG Robert VanHoose

Dakota Troop 3-4 CAV

COUNTDOWN

down and only 9 more to go........

The Silent Ranks I wear no uniforms, no blues or greens. But, I am in the military, in the ranks rarely seen. I have no rank upon my shoulders. Salutes I do not give. But in the military world is where I live and am rarely seen. I am not in the chain of command, orders I do not give or get. But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget. I am not the one who fires a weapon, Who puts his life on the line. But my job is just as tough, Im the one who is always left behind. My husband is a patriot, a brave and pride filled man. And the call to serve his country not all can understand. Behind the lines, I see things needed to keep this country free. My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do my kids and me. I love the man I married. The military is his life. So I pledge to support my hero and stand among the silent ranks known as THE MILITARY WIFE.

Dining Facility:
Since April 23rd, our cooks have been working hard to overhaul the existing dining facility. Working in conjunction with other cooks from the 307th Military Police, our cooks have been working long fteen hour days to serve our Troopers. Despite a dramatically increased customer base, the cooks began cooking three hot meals a day for 650 personnel, a huge morale boost for Soldiers coming off patrol. The Dining Facility is always a key part of the happier days here on FOB Shinwar. Whether it is Mothers Day, Fathers Day, or a Soldiers birthday, the dining facility strives to highlight special days and provide holiday meals, even if its just for one Soldiers birthday. All Soldiers can reserve a table along with a cake and sparkling cider for another Troopers birthday. The Dining Facility worked overnight preparing extravagant meals for both Memorial Day and the Army Birthday. Soldiers were afforded a choice of 7 main entres, assorted sides, and desserts. When LTC Hayes, the Squadron Executive Ofcer was preparing to leave the squadron to take over the Brigade Executive Ofcer position, our cooks ensured he had a proper send-off. CPL Cordell and SPC Smart worked hard to provide a special barbecue for Raider-5. The cooks also cater all VIP events welcoming leaders to include Ambassador Eikenberry, Brigadier General Richardson, and Colonel Kim to FOB Shinwar. The cooks continue to develop the dining facility, and with the arrival of more equipment. The cooks are planning a dining facility renovation, an improved menu, and luxuries like making eggs to order, specialty bars, and cakes designed by CPL Cordell for birthdays or holiday meals.

There is nothing like being an Army Soldier

Maintenance Platoon:
As the summer heats up in Eastern Afghanistan so does the Outlaw Platoon as they equip, sustain and ready the ghting force of 3-4 CAV. The tireless work of the Outlaw Platoon has helped turn a heap of rocks into a full functioning forward motor pool. Over the last three months the Outlaw platoon moved over 149 tons of gravel, built maintenance bays, established force protection for the safety of our Soldiers and implemented specialty shops to ensure the rapid repair of critical weapons and NVGs necessary to the Squadron mission. The Outlaws have also been busy supporting our Afghan National partners by teaching and coaching our allies in the eld of maintenance. The hard work by the Outlaws will ensure the Afghan Army and Police will be able to conduct their own maintenance operations in the future which will be critical to the countrys future security and stability. While working with our Afghan partners the Outlaws have kept all cylinders running on our support missions with the successful and safe completion of 16 recovery missions, the repair of 162 weapons, 58 night vision optics and 89 communication systems. These repairs have protected 3-4 CAVs ability to shoot, move and communicate in its COIN operations. The power generation team has been busy as well conducting 65 repairs allowing FOB Shinwar the ability to keep power generation throughout the FOB. Our MSTs have been busy as well working daily on the vehicles of Apache, Comanche, Dakota and HHT here at Shinwar. Blackfoot has been working hard on their own at FOB Hughie. Their dedicated hours have won the respect of the Squadron for enabling a high percentage of Fully Mission Capable vehicles. During all this hard work the Outlaws ensure they make time for some fun by playing basketball, baseball, relax and other sports. Members of the Platoon have also taken the lead in creating the Troop Tee Shirt for Dakota Troop and taking on special projects around the FOB to increase the quality of life for every Soldier. Whether the Outlaws are busy repairing and maintaining mission essential vehicles, repairing weapons and communications equipment, training our Afghan partners, or out on the road bringing downed vehicles back to safety one thing is clear, the Outlaw Platoon stands ready to complete its mission no matter the obstacle or challenge.

Yes there is...Being a Proud Army Parent

With the help of America Supporting Americans (ASA adopt a unit) Dakota Troop is fostered by the Hillsborough Police Department, Patrol and Investigations Division. They have sent 88 boxes to our troops and showed their support by making a banner with the the unit's information and marching in a parade! Thank you to all the volunteers from Dakota Troop, the FRG, and the families of the soldiers!!!

Distrobution Platoon:
The Distribution Platoon has conducted over 35 missions, travelling some 2400 miles through Afghanistans cities and countryside. Your Troopers have driven day and night in order to resupply a total of 9 different locations spanning a 120 mile radius around the Raider Area of Operations. They have run missions throughout Nangarhar province, from the Pakistani Border to the bustling city of Jalalabad and to remote platoon outposts. Distro has exhibited a tremendous esprit de corps as they build a Distribution Operations Center from scratch with several junior Soldiers demonstrating incredible initiative and drive throughout the process. With minimal supplies, the platoon has built a place for Soldiers to relax, have fun and plan missions. Distro hosted their rst barbecue to say farewell to their platoon leader 2LT Alex Miller as he moves to take over a cavalry scout platoon in Blackfoot Troop. 1LT Aaron Hale will be taking over his position. The platoon plans to integrate their new platoon leader into what has become one of the tightest-knit and strongest performing platoons in the squadron.

Words from the FRG:

Its been a busy few months for all of us holding down the homefront, but we are staying strong and continuing to do what we need so our troops are supported. The FRG is planning bake sales and coming up with new idea's for care packages. There will be photos of our FRG meetings and events in the following newsletters. Also, families, send me your favorite photos, special events, birthdays, receipes, words of encouragement, etc... and I can add that to our newsletters! Let's make it a group effort because this newsletter goes to everyone in the troop and to family members! Thank you for all that you do! Christine Austin 505-363-0203 808-840-0174 dakotatroop34cav@gmail.com

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