This is a newsletter I received yesterday identifying the members of the TN-ADT in Afghanistan. I thought you might enjoy seeing what our guys are doing over there.

1. BOOTS ON THE GROUND
Issue 1 MAR - MAY 2009
TENNESSEE ADT
Hits the Ground
Running with New
Kind of Mission
By Capt. David Roberts
and Sgt. 1st Class Mike Winters
O n January 18, 2009, more than sixty
Sgt. Phillip Wallace
soldiers of the Tennessee National
Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team
said goodbye to families and friends to start Scenic Sunset at FOB Gardez
their year long deployment to Afghanistan.
Their mission is to help the Afghan
people improve their way of life through
agriculture and agribusiness development.
Since most Afghans survive and thrive
by agriculture, it was only a matter of
time before the Army realized it needed a
A DTs in Afghanistan also give
maneuver commanders an essential
tool in their tool box they haven’t had until
The ADT mission is an essential piece of specialized unit to facilitate that need. As now. Tennessee’s ADT has been working
the US Army’s Counterinsurgency or COIN a result, Agribusiness Development Teams closely with the 4th Brigade Combat Team
strategy in Afghanistan. Real success in were created by the National Guard Bureau, (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division to focus
Afghanistan starts at the village level with focusing on Guardsmen who had the civilian on the needs of farmers in their areas of
the needs of the Afghan family. skills necessary to get the job done. operation. The ADT also works closely
with the Provincial Reconstruction Team.
M1151 Humvees share a backdrop of snow The PRT mission is similar, but covers a
covered mountains on FOB Gardez
much broader spectrum than the ADT.
Most of the Tennessee ADT’s missions
so far have been conducting agricultural
shuras in Paktya and west Paktika. Shuras
are meetings with village elders to learn
their agriculture needs and discuss issues.
Projects are then assessed and developed
for future construction. Over the coming
months, the Ag Shura newsletter will
document our work on these projects, while
Capt. David Roberts
conveying a little bit of everyday life to
loved ones back home. We will strive to
truly make a difference in Afghanistan and
in true Volunteer Spirit set the standard for
all ADTs who follow.
Commander Ag Shura Editor Public Affairs NCOIC
Colonel Jim D. Moore Captain David Roberts Sergeant First Class George Winters
email: jim.d.moore@afghan.swa.army.mil email: david.roberts7@afghan.swa.army.mil email: george.m.winters@afghan.swa.army.mil

2. Issue 1 MAR - MAY 2009
The Ag Shura Newsletter - Paktya and West Paktika Provinces
5 and 25
ADT soldiers check for Improvised Explosive Devices
during a security halt
Capt. David Roberts
ON GUARD
Specialist Forrester stands gaurd outside of
Agriculture Assessments Begin Years
an Ag Shura in southern Paktya
of Work for Agribusiness Teams
By Major Lee Sharber
AG Team OIC
of Paktya and West Paktika. This task is
A s with any military operation,
intelligence preparation of the
battlefield is of the utmost importance.
necessary in order to execute the campaign
plan for the current rotation as well as to
develop the long range or three to five year
With the Tennessee ADT, our IPB consists plan. This plan will be continued by ADTs
of conducting assessments of the current from other states that follow Tennessee.
state of agriculture within the provinces (Cont. on Pg. 3)
THE ASSESSMENT
Maj. Sharber (3d from left), along with village elders and a representative from the U.S. Dept.
of Agriculture, conduct project assessments in west Paktika.
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3. Issue 1 MAR - MAY 2009
The Ag Shura Newsletter - Paktya and West Paktika Provinces
“Assessments” Cont. from Pg.2 FROM THE GROUND UP
Sgt. 1st Class Boyd takes a soil sample for
W
analysis in west Paktika
ithin 60 days, the ADT assessed training, commercial nursery organization
nineteen districts in two provinces. and training, reforestation, and watershed
These initial assessments began with management to name a few.
AG Shuras with District Sub-Governors
and their agriculture experts. These In addition, the ADT is working diligently
meetings resulted in prioritized Agriculture to build associations within the provinces.
District Development Lists. The DDL These associations were showcased at the
encompasses the pressing agriculture needs Kabul International AG Fair in May. As a
within each district. These lists are critical result of the Fair, Paktya AG associations
to our mission as they become the driving have more options in selling their goods
force for the Commander’s Emergency because of contacts made with buyers from
Response Program or CERP process in Kabul.
the form of future AG projects. I believe
our commander, Col. Jim Moore put it
best when he said, “Our weapon is our
Agriculture experts, while our ammunition
A
s May brings an end to our assessment
phase, June marks the beginning of the
execution phase. The summer months will
is CERP dollars to fund AG projects”. bring on new challenges as the identified
projects are implemented. As any farmer
The ADT is currently working towards more knows, agriculture is seasonal but the work
than 50 agriculture improvement projects. never stops!
These projects include Afghanistan
Veterinary Association training, livestock
SECFOR Trains Afghan Security Guards on M240B Machine Gun
By Sgt. 1st Class Randy McKeehan
ADT SECFOR Team DOWN RANGE
Specialist Johnson gives step by step
S
instructions to an Afghan Security Guard
ome of our SECFOR soldiers recently
had the opportunity to train the
Afghan Security Guards at FOB Gardez.
Approximately 25 ASG personnel received
basic instruction on loading, firing, clearing,
and immediate action on the M240B
Machine Gun. The instruction took place at
the heavy weapons range near FOB Gardez.
Some of our soldiers also got to familiarize
with and shoot the AK-47 assault rifle.
Sgt. Wallace firing the AK-47 Assault Rifle.
Soldiers who supported the range were
Sgt. 1st Class McKeehan (NCOIC), Staff A s with most joint training with foreign
forces, it was an excellent opportunity
Sgt. Kemper (Safety), Specialist Johnson for us to get to know the Afghans who
(Primary Instructor), Specialist Bullard provide security for us on a daily basis and
(Asst. Instructor), and Staff Sgt. Fletcher bridge the gap between cultures.
(Medic). Sgt. Wallace and Specialist Kail
from the Ag Section provided security.
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4. Issue 1 MAR - MAY 2009
The Ag Shura Newsletter - Paktya and West Paktika Provinces
Operation Enduring Freedom ‘09
TENNESSEE
Agribusiness Development Team
Major Kimberly Garbett, PRT
LIFE ON THE FOB
And Around Afghanistan
Major Kimberly Garbett, PRT
Sgt. 1st Class Mike Winters
COMBAT PATCH
Lt. Col. Campbell, Commander of the 4th BCT’s 1st Squadron 40th Cavalry Regiment,
awards the “Tropic Lighting” Combat Patch with airborne tab to Sgt. 1st Class McKeehan
and soldiers of the ADT during a ceremony at FOB Gardez. First ADT flag raising ceremony
Major Kimberly Garbett, PRT
Capt. David Roberts
OH SAY CAN YOU SEE...
COMBAT ACTION BADGE
“Old Glory” flies high amid a back drop of
Col. Howard, Commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) 25th Infantry
rainbow colors on a combat outpost.
Division, awards the Combat Action Badge to Sgt. 1st Class White and Staff Sgt. Weaver.
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5. Issue 1 MAR - MAY 2009
The Ag Shura Newsletter - Paktya and West Paktika Provinces
HELPING HAND
A young Afghan boy helps his little
buddy down a mountain valley road.
Specialist James Bullard
Capt. David Roberts
Specialists Bright and Elias work on their
golf swing during some down time.
Major Kimberly Garbett, PRT
Capt. David Roberts
ADT Medics, Doc Fletcher (left) and Doc Rottero, Members of the ADT with Toby Keith
pass out candy to children in north Paktya. after a concert at FOB Gardez.
Capt. David Roberts
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6. Issue 1 MAR - MAY 2009
The Ag Shura Newsletter - Paktya and West Paktika Provinces
PROMOTIONS And REENLISTMENTS
Private Bright is promoted to Private 1st Private 1st Class Vincent is promoted Private 1st Class Valencourt is promoted Sgt. Novotny is promoted to Staff
Class by Maj. Thompson at the training to Specialist by Maj. Thompson at the to Specialist by Maj. Thompson at the Sergeant by Col. Moore at the Training
site in Smyrna, TN in December. training site in Smyrna, TN in December. training site in Smyrna, TN in December. Site in Smyrna, TN in December.
Sgt. Martin is promoted to Staff Sergeant Sgt. Vannet is promoted to Staff Sergeant Specialist Debord is promoted to Private 1st Class Johnson is promoted
by fellow NCO, Sgt. 1st Class Richard at by fellow NCO, Sgt. 1st Class Richard at Sergeant by Sgt. 1st Class Richard at to Specialist by Col. Moore at Camp
Camp Atterbury, IN in February. Camp Atterbury, IN in February. Camp Atterbury, IN in February. Atterbury, IN in February.
Capt. Macrellis is promoted to Major by Specialist Lawrence is promoted to
pro Private 1st Class Bright is promoted to Sgt. Fryer is promoted to Staff Sergeant
Col. Moore at FOB Gardez in April. Sergeant by Col. Moore at FOB Gardez Specialist by Col. Moore at FOB Gardez by Lt. Col. Lyles at FOB Gardez in May.
in April. in April.
Specialist Higgenbotham is promoted to Specialist Miller is promoted to Sergeant Private 1st Class Mitchell is promoted to Private 1st Class Castleberry is promoted
Sergeant by fellow NCO, Sgt. Turner at by fellow NCO, Sgt. Crawford at FOB Specialist by Sgt. Debord at FOB Gardez to Specialist by Sgt. Kilgore at FOB
FOB Gardez in May. Gardez in May. in May. Gardez in May.
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7. Issue 1 MAR - MAY 2009
The Ag Shura Newsletter - Paktya and West Paktika Provinces
PROMOTIONS And REENLISTMENTS
Private 1st Class Bullard is promoted to Private 1st Class Trent is promoted to
ILL
Specialist by Col. Moore at FOB Gardez Specialist by Col. Moore at FOB Gardez
IW
in May. in May.
Lt. Col. Lyles gives the oath of reenlistment to Sgt. Wallace and Sgt. Moore at FOB
Gardez.
R TH AT
SWEA ITUT ION
L E CO NST EM NLY
I SO E FEN D TH
L EN EMI
AN DD
AINS T AL
Capt. Roberts gives the oath of reenlistment to 1st Sgt. Ron Cannon at FOB Gardez
T
SUP POR S AG LL B
TED ST ATE
; TH AT I WI
TH E UN I
OM E STIC
O TH ES
DD ET
REIG N AN LEG IANC
FO AL DER
Capt. Roberts gives the oath of reenlistment to Staff Sgt. Proctor at FOB Gardez
ITH AND Y TH E OR
TRU E FA ILL OBE DS
HAT IW UN ITE
AN DT OF THE
Capt. Roberts gives the oath of reenlistment to Sgt. J at FOB Gardez
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8. COMMAND AND STAFF
COMMANDER EXECUTIVE OFFICER OPERATIONS OFFICER SERGEANT MAJOR
COLONEL LIEUTENANT COLONEL CAPTAIN SERGEANT MAJOR
JIM D. MOORE MARTY LYLES ROBERT HANCOCK STAN CATES
PERRY, GA MURFREESBORO, TN MADISON, TN BRADFORD, TN
HEADQUARTERS
S-6 / OIC MEDIC / NCOIC
FIRST LIEUTENANT SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
DOUGLAS LONG ROBERT HALEY
LAVERGNE, TN WAYNESBORO, TN
PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMBAT MEDIC LIAISON NCO S-4
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS STAFF SERGEANT STAFF SERGEANT STAFF SERGEANT
MIKE WINTERS BRANDON FLETCHER DONALD NOVOTNY STEVEN PROCTOR
MURFREESBORO, TN BURLISON, TN DRESDEN, TN CINCINNATI, OH
ADMIN NCO MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS NCO
STAFF SERGEANT SERGEANT SERGEANT SERGEANT
JEFFREY FRYER RANDY CASHON SCOTT FIELDS JOSEPH LEE
SPRINGFIELD, TN DRESDEN, TN BRADFORD, TN NASHVILLE, TN
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9. AG TEAM
AG TEAM OIC AG TEAM NCOIC
MAJOR SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
LEE SHARBER MIKE WHITE
MURFREESBORO, TN REAGAN, TN
ENGINEER / S-2 AG ENGINEER PSYOPS / IO AG ENGINEER
MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR CAPTAIN
JOHN BOATRIGHT JAMES THOMPSON JAMES MACRELLIS PATRICK RASMUSSEN
MEMPHIS, TN LOUISVILLE, KY CHATTANOOGA, TN MT. JULIET, TN
AG ENGINEER AG SPECIALIST AG BUSINESS AG SPECIALIST
STAFF SERGEANT STAFF SERGEANT SERGEANT
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
GREGORY BOYD LEYMAN WEAVER ROGER BROACH BOB MOORE
KINGSTON SPRINGS, TN PARIS, TN LAVINIA, TN
HUNTINGDON, TN
AG ENGINEER PEST MANAGEMENT AG SPECIALIST
SERGEANT SPECIALIST SPECIALIST
PHILIP WALLACE JEREMY KAIL TODD STEFFEN
CENTERVILLE, TN HUMBOLT, TN JACKSON, TN
9

10. SECURITY FORCE TEAM
INFANTRYMAN / OIC INFANTRYMAN / NCOIC
CAPTAIN FIRST SERGEANT
DAVID ROBERTS RON CANNON
LEBANON, TN MURFREESBORO, TN
ALPHA SECTION
CAV SCOUT INFANTRYMAN INFANTRYMAN INFANTRYMAN INFANTRYMAN
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS SERGEANT FIRST CLASS STAFF SERGEANT STAFF SERGEANT SERGEANT
RANDY MCKEEHAN CHARLES STEWART BUDDY KEMPER BRYAN VANNET MIKE ROSE
ELIZABETHTON, TN OLD HICKORY, TN MARYVILLE, TN AUSTIN, TX KNOXVILLE, TN
INFANTRYMAN INFANTRYMAN INFANTRYMAN COMBAT ENGINEER COMBAT ENGINEER
SERGEANT SERGEANT SERGEANT SERGEANT SERGEANT
FRANK TURNER BOBBY LAWRENCE MATTHEW MILLER SHERMAN CRAWFORD LINDSEY HIGGINBOTHAM
MARYVILLE, TN CHATTANOOGA, TN MCALESTER, OK KNOXVILLE, TN JEFFERSON CITY, TN
INFANTRYMAN COMBAT ENGINEER COMBAT ENGINEER COMBAT ENGINEER DRIVER
SPECIALIST SPECIALIST SPECIALIST SPECIALIST SPECIALIST
ANTHONY FORRESTER CHUCK JOHNSON JAMES BULLARD WILLIAM ELY JEREMY VINCENT
BON AQUA, TN GREENEVILLE, TN MORRISTOWN, TN MORRISTOWN, TN SMYNRA, TN
10

11. SECURITY FORCE TEAM
BRAVO SECTION
INFANTRYMAN INFANTRYMAN INFANTRYMAN INFANTRYMAN ARTILLERYMAN
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS STAFF SERGEANT STAFF SERGEANT SERGEANT SERGEANT
TIMOTHY RICHARD JOHN WARD IAN MARTIN REGINALD STREETER DANNY KILGORE
NASHVILLE, TN MEMPHIS, TN NASHVILLE, TN ANDERSON, IN ROSSVILLE, GA
COMBAT ENGINEER COMBAT ENGINEER INFANTRYMAN INFANTRYMAN INFANTRYMAN
PHOTO
NOT
AVAILABLE
SERGEANT SERGEANT SPECIALIST SPECIALIST SPECIALIST
WILLIAM DEBORD ERNESTO JIMENEZ TIMOTHY JENKINS CHRISTOPHER TRENT ROBERT ELIAS
MORRISTOWN, TN MARYVILLE, TN CLARKSVILLE, TN MORRISTOWN, TN MEMPHIS, TN
INFANTRYMAN COMBAT ENGINEER COMBAT ENGINEER COMBAT ENGINEER ARTILLERYMAN
SPECIALIST SPECIALIST SPECIALIST SPECIALIST SPECIALIST
MARSHALL RANDLE JAMES VALENCOURT NATHANIEL MITCHELL RANDALL BRIGHT ERIC ROPER
MARTIN, TN GOODLETTSVILLE, TN SEVIERVILLE, TN WHITE PINE, TN HATTIESBURG, MS
SECFOR MEDICS REAR DET
DRIVER DRIVER COMBAT MEDIC COMBAT MEDIC INFANTRYMAN
ARRIVES JUNE 2009
PHOTO
NOT
AVAILABLE
SPECIALIST SPECIALIST SPECIALIST SPECIALIST STAFF SERGEANT
TIMOTHY CASTLEBERRY CHRIS MCPHETRIDGE DUSTIN ROTTERO GEORGE BRIMER JUSTIN WASHABAUGH
OOLTEWAH, TN CHATTANOOGA, TN MT. JULIET, TN NEW MARKET, TN CENTERVILLE, TN
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