1. 204TH BRIGADE
SUPPORT BATTALION
Rough Rider Connection
V O L U M E I , I S S U E 1 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 1
Greetings from Fort Polk, LA. As I write this I’m outfitted
SPECIAL POINTS OF
with my protective equipment on as we just experienced a
INTEREST: simulated artillery attack here on Forward Operating Base
(FOB) FORGE. The training experience here at JRTC has been tremendous and our
 A Message from RR6 Soldiers continue to excel and grow in confidence everyday. The training situations
presented to our Soldiers range from local vendors asking to move onto FOB FORGE
 Rough Riders’ Eyes in the to talking to local religious leaders about village issues like schools unfit for learning
Sky and water unfit for drinking. We also get our share of opposing force (OPFOR) activ-
ity that normally requires our Soldiers to fire blank ammunition that triggers our elec-
 Town Hall Meeting with
tronic Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) gear to go off signifying
Families via VTC an injury or hit.
 Ministry Team Training
All of our companies are receiving phenomenal training in their specific areas of ex-
 Assassins Training
pertise with Alpha Company running a world-class field warehouse, Bravo Company
running their various maintenance shops, and Charlie Company providing excellent
 Bravo Company Training medical care for all our Soldiers. The Headquarters Company and the Battalion Staff
receive many complex problems to solve. The staff is working many hours planning
 Keeping the Rough Riders and directing the companies to achieve mission after mission.
Safe and Informed
Our Soldiers got to work immediately upon the arrival of our equipment. We set up
 Medical Evacuation the Battalion Tactical Operations Center (TOC) and the Company’s Command Posts
Training (CP’s) and received gear that was repositioned such as trucks and water buffaloes.
The weather was some of the coldest seen in Louisiana, but our Soldiers stuck
 Photo Corner through it and continued to prepare for the world-class training the Rough Riders were
about to receive.
Contributors:
1LT Betsy Arndt While some were setting up, others were receiving pre-rotational training which in-
Battalion Public Affairs Officer cluded improvised explosive device (IED) awareness, Command Post of the Future
(CPoF), Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (UAS), Hand-held Interagency Detection
Congratulations to 1LT’s
Equipment and Electronic Warfare Officer training, to name a few. The situational
Meghan and Christopher Hou-
training exercises (STX) were extremely valuable, as it placed our Soldiers out on
convoys and forced them to face many realistic scenarios such as IED defeat, en-
sel on the birth of their baby,
gagements with local villages and damaged vehicle recovery.
Parker!
1LT Meghan Housel was the
As we conduct our training we would like to thank our loved ones at home who are
previous editor of the Rough
completing the real tasks of life. We appreciate your continued support.
Rider Connection.
Scott P. Dugan Todd S. Bertulis
CSM, USA LTC, LG
Command Sergeant Major Commanding
This newsletter contains official and unofficial information. The inclusion of some unofficial information in this
newsletter has not increased the cost to the Government, in accordance with DOD 4525.8-M

2. PAGE 2
Photos and stories The Rough Riders’ Eyes in the Sky
on this page by
SGT Joseph Guiterrez, Noncommis-
1LT Betsy Arndt,
sioned Officer in Charge of the 204th BSB’s
204th BSB Public S2 (Intelligence) and PFC Gregory
Affairs Officer Miles of the Battalion’s CoIST (see page 4)
successfully launched the Raven on February
14, 2011 at 1:12 p.m. (CST). The Raven is a
small hand-launched remote-controlled un-
manned aerial vehicle and can be flown at a
height of up to 10,000 feet above ground and is very
quiet which makes it difficult for the enemy to detect. The
device is capable of providing live video feed to a com-
puter on the ground as well as still photographs and only
weighs about 4.2 lbs.
The video and photographs can be used to analyze areas
of interest and also to instantly view activities happening
on the ground. The camera also has the ability to record through infrared night vision.
The Raven system has been in use for over 10 years and is utilized by all of the branches in
the U.S. Armed Forces as well as over 10 other countries.
LTC Bertulis and CSM Dugan, along with
the 204th BSB’s ANA partners, LTC Zad-
ran and MAJ Panshir Commander and
Executive Officer of the 5/4/205th Combat
Left to right: CSM Scott Dugan, LTC Todd Bertulis, Service Support (CSS) Battalion with the
LTC Arman Jahangir Khan Zadran & MAJ Panshir Afghanistan National Army (ANA) met with
family members of the Rough Rider Sol-
diers on Tuesday night (February 15, 2011) via a video teleconference (VTC).
The main topic of discussion was the training that the Soldiers of the 204th BSB have been
experiencing at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in Ft. Polk, LA. More than 70
photographs were discussed through a PowerPoint presentation captured by Rough Rider
Soldiers that were on the ground receiving the training.
Rough Rider 6 also mentioned the trainer/mentors (T/M’s) that assist leaders and Soldiers of
the battalion and offer a different perspective. The T/M’s watch every move and decision that
is made and later provide feedback as to what can be tried next time or considerations to
think of that might be helpful. The T/M’s are trained professionals that have the job of help-
ing units “iron out the wrinkles” and prepare for deployment. Although they don’t claim to
provide all the right answers and easy fixes, they help in any way that they can to make our
unit successful.
Completing this VTC will help the unit prepare for deployment and the difficulties that will
come. LTC Bertulis concluded the VTC with a video that was made during the Unit Ministry
Team and Personal Security Detail (see page3) which Chaplain (CPT) Payne explained to
the Rough Rider Family. The VTC ended with final questions and a thanks to all of the sup-
port back in Fort Carson.

3. VOLUME I, ISSUE 1 PAGE 3
Story by Chaplain (CPT) lah who was not friendly. The en-
Joel W. Payne, 204th BSB gagement went well but the town
JRTC– Ft. Polk, LA was not secure and once again the
PSD had to perform an emergency
On February 11, 2011 the 204th evacuation to a secure location.
Brigade Support Battalion com-
pleted training with the Unit Min- At JRTC the training is conducted
istry Team (UMT) and Personal and evaluated by Trainer/Mentor
Security Detail focused on Reli- teams who are present during the
gious Leader Liaison. The pur- lanes and evaluate our teams fol-
pose of the lane was to escort lowing the training in order to give
the Chaplain and Chaplain As- pointers and suggestions for how to
sistant via the Personal Security operate in the future. For the UMT/
Detail (PSD) in order to conduct PSD lane the Trainer/Mentor team
Religious Leader Liaisons (RLL) PSD escorted the Chaplain into the remarked that our PSD was out-
with local religious leaders. Key ar- village to meet with the local Mullah (a standing and they were amazed by
eas of training included meeting and religious leader) to discuss how we their ability to react quickly, especially
developing good relationships with may help the local population and in evacuating and providing medical
local Afghan leaders in the towns partner to provide long-term needs. attention to our soldiers who were “hit”
and villages surrounding the areas After the engagement with the local during the exercise. The Trainer/
we may be located during deploy- Mullah the PSD escorted the Chaplain Mentors stated that in their opinion the
ment. on foot to meet with the local leader of 204th Brigade Support Battalion was
the Red Crescent (Afghanistan’s ver- well prepared and ready to deploy.
The UMT/PSD training was con- sion of the Red Cross). During the
ducted in two main phases that meeting with the Red Crescent leader The training conducted during the
were designed to exercise the tacti- a sniper fired on the PSD and they UMT/PSD lane will be a valuable step-
cal aspect of providing security to conducted an emergency evacuation ping stone to the real development of
the Chaplain and the diplomatic of the Chaplain and team while pro- relationships with the Afghan people.
aspect of engagement of the local viding medical attention to our These relationships will have the ability
religious leaders. wounded. After the team arrived at a to affect change in Afghanistan through
safe location the Chaplain facilitated a providing security, medical supplies,
Phase one consisted of a tactical group session to work through the food, water and much needed local
movement by the PSD of the Chap- events that had just passed. infrastructure. Through these engage-
lain into a village where dozens of ments we will be able to work with the
role players provided an extremely Phase two involved another RLL in a Afghan people toward a common goal
realistic experience to train in. The different community with a local Mul- of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
Assassins Prepare for Force on Force
Story and photo by 2LT Christine Breckenridge
As Alpha Company, 204th BSB, prepares to support the Warhorse
Brigade during force on force training, they have already made steady
accomplishments in resupply. The Alpha Company Assassins have
ran 19 successful resupply missions to date, pushing over 47,590
gallons of fuel, 1,400 gallons of water, 500,000 rounds of ammo and
over 1.5 tons of CL IV. Aside from daily missions, the dedicated sol-
Alpha Company
diers of A Co have been trained on multiple Combat Convoy lanes,
Soldiers conduct
IED Defeat lanes, Sling Load Training, ROE, and being part of a FLE.
Sling Load
Assassins, Roll Hard!
Training

4. PAGE 4
Story by SGT
Robert White 204th BSB Master Welder
During JRTC Rotation 11-04, the Bravo Com-
pany Black Knights’ Service & Recovery, or
“REPO” Team, successfully completed their
Photos by CPL Kimberly recovery situational training exercise lane. Sol-
Velasquez — diers encountered small arms fire, indirect mor-
Top: SPC Joshua Pam- tar fire, IEDs and RPGs. The newest members
of the team were trained on the M2 .50 caliber
ploma, Bravo Company’s machine gun and served as gunners during the
Interpreter engages a mission. The convoy commander and Service Team
local Afghan. Shop Foreman, SSG Courtney Gaston, and the interpret-
ers were also involved in a street level engagement,
Center: SGT Joshua where they talked to local nationals and national security
Cunha recovers a mire 2 forces.
vehicle.
SGT Joshua Cunha, the Recovery NCO and SGT Paul
Burnside, the Heavy Mobility Expanded Tactical Truck
Lower: SGT Courtney (HEMTT) wrecker team, also received great training
Gaston oversees the re- while having to recover a civilian vehicle and a mire 2
(wheels on the vehicle are covered in mud and/or
covery of a catastrophic
water) vehicle. In addition, the M88’s crew had to lift
kill of a MAXX PRO Mine a catastrophically disabled MAXX Pro Mine Resistant
Resistant Armor Pro- Armor Protected (MRAP) vehicle so a lowboy tractor
trailer could back under it.
tected Vehicle (MRAP).
There were some laughs shared during the after ac-
tion review when the team was told that SSG Gaston
and a Soldier decided to clear a building on their
own. The trainer/mentors gave REPO suggestions
for improvement and informed them on how to excel
through their many strengths.
Story by:
It’s been a busy rotation for the “grease monkeys” in Bravo Company’s Maintenance Pla-
toon. Upon hitting ground at JRTC, the hard working mechanics got to work setting up a
SGT Thomas
McShane,
fully functional maintenance bay and inspection tent. Wet and freezing conditions over the
Bravo Company,
first few days made many vehicles difficult to start and to get off the rail cars which brought
204th BSB, 2BCT, 4ID them there. But despite the weather, Bravo’s mechanics were our there getting the vehi-
cles on the move.
As the weather gradually improved, some mechanics took advantage of the great training
opportunities offered at JRTC. Others stayed “under the hoods” keeping the Battalion’s
vehicles up and running. Classes in such topics as IED awareness, Afghanistan culture,
and realistic IED and Vehicle Recovery training lanes kept the guys busy. The mechanics
were also challenged with replacing an engine and a transmission on separate vehicles
with limited resources in a field environment. As if that weren’t enough, Bravo’s hard work-
ing mechanics also managed to complete over 18 vehicle services, and over 80 quality
assurance/quality control inspections. Not to mention numerous complex vehicle repairs.
During the Force-on Force portion of JRTC training, many of Bravo’s mechanics assisted in
constructing a fully functional Entry Control Point (ECP). They also served in many posi-
tions such as vehicle search teams, manning gun trucks, as well as gate and tower guards.
The “grease monkeys” of Bravo’s Mech Platoon have been busy “getting’ after it” to say the
least, training hard while keeping the vehicles of the 204th BSB up and ready for action.

5. PAGE 5
Keeping the Rough Riders Safe and Informed
Story by an Anonymous
Soldier in the 204th BSB
The road is long, the night
is cold, and the 204th BSB
is on the roads ensuring
our troops are able to fight
the good fight. Our men
and women are ready to
deploy day or night to
guarantee Soldiers
have all they require In the Photo: The 204th BSB’s CoIST (Left to Right) PFC Gregory Miles, SGT Kalani-
kaimakani Liana, PFC Jesus Ruvalcaba, 2LT John Cappiello, SGT Erik Callies, PFC
and more in order to sustain an entire &brigade and more. With little more than a shrug
Michael Johnson, PV2 Ryan Zanni
Military Occupational and time to lace their boots the Rough Riders are ready to get into the fight as they are
Specialties of the constantly monitoring the battlefield for those battalions, companies, and Soldiers that
CoIST may need their assistance.
 Intelligence Analyst
Officer Yet, in all the haze of battle, one important question remains: “Who watches the Watch-
men”? Unlike other battalions, the Rough Rider Battalion traverses not only in one area
 Fuelers of operations, but also in the entire brigade area of operations. In addition, unlike a bri-
gade, the Rough Rider Battalion only has about a quarter of the staff. As the Soldiers of
 Bradley and Abrams the 204th BSB prepare their convoys for tedious tracks across foreboding lands, who do
Mechanics these heroes depend upon to help them combat the ominous intentions of evildoers? The
 Water Purification
answer resides in the CoIST.
Specialist
The CoIST is a Company Intelligence Support Team tasked with the duty of collecting,
analyzing, and disseminating information to both the battalion staff members, as well as
the Soldiers in the companies, platoons, and squads. The creation of these teams was spear-
headed by General Petraeus as a way to combat the disconnect of information flow that
stemmed from battalions, brigades, and even division level sources down to Soldiers on the
frontlines. The CoIST’s main purpose in a battalion is to facilitate the situational awareness
and understanding of the battlefield company commanders, platoon leaders, or even a service
member straight out of training.
During the JRTC exercise these six members of the Rough Rider CoIST team had the daunting
task of providing detailed maps, routes, distances, times, battlefield updates, cultural aware-
ness, and overall intelligence of the brigade area of operations. They provided our convoys
with the most current intelligence that would help our Soldiers stay alert and safe while navigat-
ing the massive training area at Ft Polk. These six men had to become experts in everything
from what types of poisonous animals were in the area, to knowing every contour and shape
on the roads; and all this information ready to brief to the Rough Rider Soldiers before most
were even out of their cots.
When asked how they felt about the long hours and whether they liked the training the consen-
sus among the group was a resounding YES! To them the hours seemed to go by too fast as
they always wanted to get just a few more things done. In their minds, the most meaningful
aspect of their job was not the amount of time they worked. To them the most critical aspect of
what they provided was the amount of time they would be giving back to Soldiers when they
returned safely home to their families.

6. PAGE 6
Air Evacuation Training
By SPC Daniel Baker, Charlie Company Medic
from outside and makes it into
a usable air system for pa-
tients.
Another feature the UH-60HH
is equipped with is a new hoist
system, similar to that em-
ployed by the Air Force and
Coast Guard, which is faster
I
t was a cool evening than that of the internal hoist
after many hours of counterpart equipped by the
training, and while other don'ts of loading litters into the older Black Hawks. The new
companies were ending their patient cabin. No longer do car- hoist makes extrication easier
day, Charlie Company of the ousels get loaded in the middle for all involved not only by
204th BSB was still hard at of the cabin. There are now speed, but mobility and capabili-
work training hydraulic lifts on the two side ties, keeping the helicopter mov-
“The only thing that could for the upcom- walls of the cabin, allowing for ing, making it a harder target for
ing deploy- easy raising and lowering of enemies.
have made [the training]
ment. Their litter patients. The downside to Having the opportunity to inter-
better would have been to neighbors and view a head member of the crew
such a set-up is speed and ease
actually be able to go for
brothers-in- of loading patients from the at JRTC was an honor. He is a
arms, the 1- ground to the helicopter and humbled individual, proud of
a ride!” - PFC Daniel Hill, 17th Cavalry
downloading again. In interview- what he does; not only for his
one of the Medics of from Fort ing a member of the flight crew, country but for each Soldier he
Bragg, NC in- the question was posed whether has the opportunity to help as
Charlie Company.
vited the med- the configuration is more favor- well. He lives for what he does,
ics to the flight line to do some able now than before. The re- but admits it is an extremely diffi-
training on the UH-60HH. The sponse was general, but the cult job. His advice for any 68W
unique aspect about the train- overall feeling is that while there medic that cares to become a
ing is that this helicopter hap- may be a downside, the equip- flight medic is to work hard, re-
pens to be the newest bird of ment is great and the UH-60HH main dedicated and learn to do
the fleet which has only been is most definitely an asset. In as much as you can on your
in operation for about a month. fact, the UH-60HH is said to be own. On the Black Hawk, you
On the approach to the flight the Cadillac as compared to its are the life line and the only one
line, some of the new medics “Volkswagen” predecessor. in charge of getting your patient
were in awe at the sight of the In the past, oxygen had to be to the destination alive.
array of helicopters lined up: loaded with patients. If a spare Overall, the flight line training at
Chinooks, Apaches, and the tank wasn’t provided, oxygen JRTC was a world-class experi-
newest Black Hawk UH-60HH. supply could be an issue. This ence. The ability to learn on the
The medics were like kids in a new bird is lavishly equipped new aircraft as they come out is
candy store. As they ap- with an endless onboard oxygen a once in a lifetime opportunity
proached, the flight crew wel- supply for patients, making it for many of those training at Ft.
comed them and were eager easier to provide care by having Polk, LA. Every piece Charlie
to train the malleable minds of one less thing to worry about. Med had the opportunity to learn
medics. The system onboard that makes here as to the operation leads to
As sunset approached, they this happen is a filtration and a smoother transition and patient
were learning the do’s and generator system that takes air transaction while deployed.

7. VOLUME I, ISSUE 1
JRTC Snapshots PAGE 7