SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: 536 Patching Ceremony In-Gating Hairatan Day Care Perspective of a Soldier Introducing TF Hannibal S6 The

Daily Show visits 524th CSSB

TF Hannibal
536Takes Charge
It has been a month since the 536th Maintenance Support Team (MST) arrived in Camp Marmal. The MST has impacted Regional Command-North by providing maintenance capabilities to Coalition Forces such as the Mongolians and Croatians. Additionally, 536th MST Soldiers are assisting other military units around Camp Marmal lacking maintenance support. The team from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii is composed of 20 Soldiers who are motivated and hungry for work. Thus far, the MST completed more work orders than the the shop, the first month has flown by really quick. The units goal is not only to surpass the total number of jobs completed by the previous unit, but perform at higher level producing better quality repair jobs. The 536th MST really takes pride in their work. They are hoping to get their name out and assist any unit in need of help in order to accomplish the mission here in Afghanistan.

Meet The In-Gating Team!

SPC Gerda Ngirchokebai from the island of Palau is awarded Solder of the Month for HHC. SPC Ngirchokebai is currently serving in the HHC Supply Section.

previous unit during their entire tenure at Camp Marmal. 536th Soldiers have been extremely busy under the vehicles, fixing air conditioned jobs, conducting services on generators, weapons annual gauging, and maintained a grueling training schedule for theater requirements during the first month in Afghanistan. With the continuous flow of work orders coming in to

Mazer-e-Sharif is one of the distribution hubs in Northern Afghanistan. These Soldiers closely monitor upload and download of hundreds of tanker trucks and thousands of gallons of fuel per month. Afghan truck drivers patiently wait outside the base every evening for the Soldiers from Task Force Hannibal to arrive and begin the escorting process. SGT Richards, the ingating NCOIC, leads his in-gating team outside the wire (on foot) dressed in full battle rattle. His Soldiers see a huddle of about 25 Afghan truck Soldiers from the 536th pose after drivers waiting right outtheir Patching Ceremony side the gate. The drivers gather to receive instructions displaying a number and instructions in English. After an initial brief through a local interpreter, drivers line up their trucks for inspection and move to the fuel point under the watchful eye of an escort. Drivers either drop off fuel and head back out for another fill up, or pick up fuel for distribution to outlying FOBs.Proper handling of the local drivers and keeping a friendly relationship with the local population can make a difference in the battalions ability to obtain crucial information about the hostile environment surrounding our Soldiers on a daily basis.

Message from the Commander

Hello to our
family and friends back home! As we work towards finishing up our third month here in Afghanistan, your Soldiers continue to perform exceptionally well as they continue to provide superb support to all units and coalition forces throughout Regional Command - North (RC-N). As you might guess, our efforts focus on sustaining ongoing operations. We have also been working diligently to reduce the amount of excess materiel within our area. TF Hannibal is the lead organization for managing retrograde of materiel and containers throughout Northern Afghanistan. We have made very good progress to date and expect to make achieve greater amounts of cargo moved through the rest of our time here. TF Hannibal recently completed what might possibly be the single greatest contribution to coalition forces that we make during our deployment. As several coordination activities failed, our Dutch partners found themselves in jeopardy of meeting their redeployment window. With 65 20ft containers of cargo and several armored vehicles left to move from an outlying Forward Operating Base back to Camp Marmal, the battalion staff and the 1245th Transportation Company planned and executed a short notice mission to bring the cargo and vehicles back in time for redeployment. That convoy represented the largest single movement of cargo to date for the 1245th TC and the mission was executed flawlessly. Many and much larger convoys have been executed regularly throughout the Army's history, but the challenges of poor and narrow roadways here in Afghanistan make convoy operations difficult at best. We continue to take care of and support each other here. Everyone seems to be

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doing well and in good spirits. We hope things are going well there as well. We all speak regularly about our families back home and appreciate the difficulties you face, particularly those who are going through pregnancies, are facing health issues and those who are wrangling kids without your spouse there to support. In many ways, you're job is much more difficult. If you have a good support system of family members and/ or neighbors great! I would like to continue to offer those who are not leveraging the FRG system and/or Operation Home Fires to please do so. FRG members and our Rear Detachment personnel will continue to reach out as they are there to support you, our families. We truly appreciate the support from our friends and family back home and continue to look forward to our reunion next Spring. Take care and God bless. LTC D

Combat Sustainment Support Battalion continue to sustain operations in Regional Command-North through selfless service and dedication. Despite the physical and mental challenges associated with deployment, our Soldiers continue to persevere and meeting each challenge with excellence. In addition to primary military duties, our Soldiers are continuing their self development through college and military correspondence courses, GT improvement, and required training certifications. Our Soldiers also continue to strive for physical excellence. Every member of the 524 th CSSB is lean and mean and seek to improve the current 281 company Army Physical Fitness Test average. Several of our Soldiers are expecting new editions to their families in the coming days and weeks. Although, they cannot be physically present, we are all anxiously waiting and supporting each other as we wait for the birth of the newest members of the Make Away family. On 1 September 2013, we will promote SSG Charles Smith to Sergeant First Class and SPC Angelica Blair to Sergeant. Congratulations to both, these promotions are long overdue, and well deserved. SSG Smith will also reenlist on his promotion day. SGT Erika Carranza and SPC Angelica Blair won the last NCO and Soldier of the Month boards and will participate in the 101 st Sustainment Brigade Quarter boards in October at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Despite the long work days, our soldiers still find time to participate in other activities. CPT Frank Guizar, SFC Tyronn Green, SGT Brandon McDowell, and Breyanna Romero volunteer at the USO to help build morale for all coalition forces, DOD civilians, and contractors on Camp Marmal. SPC Mariah Keen and LT Kashayla Stanford participated and won the Womans 500 Pound Club lifting competition for their prospective weight categories. SSG Charles Smith won the USO three point shoot out and HHC beat the 536 th Maintenance Support Team during the battalion basketball tournament. I would like to close by thanking the families back home for all you do, care packages, and letters you have been sending. Keep them coming!

Message from the CSM

The Soldiers of the 524

th

Make A Way Hannibal 7

Hairatan Port Daycare

n late July, Taskforce Lifeliner and Hannibal females visited the Hairatan, Afghanistan Port Daycare. This visit was an effort for JCOP Hairatan Soldiers to show their support for the citizens of Hairatan. The Hairatan Port Daycare is utilized by both port employees and local residents. The center currently serves 50 children ranging in the ages from infants to 11 years old. The center offers an educational curriculum consisting of reading, writing, math, history and languages. The purpose of the visit was twofold: first, for female Soldiers to interact with female Afghans that work outside of home. The other purpose was to deliver school supplies to the daycare and distribute candy to the children. This event was good for the Soldiers because it gave them the opportunity to have positive interaction with the people of Afghanistan and it also promoted the continuous relationship building with the citizens, in particular Afghanistan women who work outside the home. By conducting these types of key leadership engagements/ humanitarian assistant efforts and interacting with the Afghanistan citizens, we can foster/promote a clear, honest and compassionate working relationship to show the people of

Afghanistan that we are here to assist. Additionally, these interactions can provide the female citizens with healthy/positive female role models. Its vital for coalition forces to maintain these types of engagements, create a good working relationship with the Afghans and continue to enhance our community relations which will hopefully give the Afghans a hopeful outlook towards their financial and educational future once US/Coalition forces depart. By MAJ Lashell Davis

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Straight from the Top!

Soldiers, Family and Friends of HHC 524TH, CSSB I hope all is well back home. We have made it through another month, which means we are one month closer to coming home. Once again I have to report that your Soldiers are doing well and making amazing progress on trying to get US forces to a point we can meet the conditions of pulling out of Afghanistan. As I look around our area of operation, I am constantly amazed at the amount of STUFF we have moved out of theater. It is our primary job to move logistics in, around, and out of theater. Your Soldiers are responsible for making that happen, at least in northern Afghanistan. Your Soldiers may not realize the progress, but from my position I get to see the bigger picture. You all should be proud of what your Soldiers have accomplished so far; I know the Commander and I are.

class of supply that is currently under contract by FLUOR.

I cannot express my many thanks for all the support that you are providing your Soldiers here in Afghanistan. To see the smiles on their faces daily when they receive their mail from back home is amazing; you truly are their backbone which keeps them going. SFC David E. Briggs, HHC, 524th CSSB First Sergeant.

We seem to have Soldiers scattered all over the Camp Marmal/Pratt area doing a plethora of things in support of this operation. Some of these areas include but are not limited to, In-gating (escorting) Afghan fuel and supply trucks, oversight of food, fuel, and every other

August proved to be quite the month here in Afghanistan for the Warrior team. As the temperature climbed so did the workload and the successes of each section within HHC. HHC began the month with a successful change of command, fare welling CPT Rainey who immediately following flew back to Hawaii to join his wife for the birth of his son and begin his new job at the 45th Sustainment Brigade. The Support Operations section continues to plan and coordinate the important mission of organizing and moving equipment out of Afghanistan as this war draws to a close. Our food service personnel continue to ensure the quality of nutrition that our warriors and all other service members here at Camp Marmal receive is of the highest quality. Our Soldiers continue to act as Force Protection enforcers, safeguarding this camp and protecting against insider-threats that have been making the news recently. Just this past week, The Daily Show host, John Oliver and some of his comedian friends stopped by and paid the 524th a visit. They were only scheduled to stay with us for an hour but ended up staying much longer as they were impressed and amazed at the professionalism and technical expertise that the HHC Soldiers demonstrated to them. Finally, I would like to remind everyone that if you have any questions at all, feel free to contact me directly at brian.w.smith@afghan.swa.army.mil. CPT Smith

Warrior 6

From the Tigers Den

1245th Transportation Company, 524th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade out of Oklahoma works closely with local Dari and Pashtu truck drivers. Some of the companies young men and women exhibited feelings of culture shock in the very beginning months of arrival, but leadership since then has seen those feelings of uncertainty evolve into creative interaction with Host National drivers. 1245th Transportation Companys unique role paints a picture of their interaction with the Afghan people for family and friends back home, displaying an impressive ability to utilize creative methods of communication while sharing the utmost respect and concern for each others safety. Imagine a location set in the picturesque valleys of the Hindu Kush Mountains. Members of the 1245th Transportation Company briskly walk to an assortment of tactical military vehicles as the sun sets quietly in the west, and the twilight displays colorful blue, purple and red hues. Soldiers work methodically to prepare their vehicles; checking the oil, cleaning their windows, and gearing up for the long trip that lays ahead of them. Directly behind the 1245th sits a parking lot full of colorfully ornate Host National Afghan vehicles. While the Afghan culture is very different from their Oklahoma culture, the small contingent of 1245th Soldiers respect the Afghan people. There are times when things go awry but for the most part every challenge is worked in cooperation with Afghan drivers. A meeting with the Host National drivers before each meeting can be a somewhat of chaotic scene often referred to as herding cats. After the initial information is distributed, local nationals promptly begin to ask numerous questions, usually about fuel. After their meeting, Afghan drivers continue to prep their vehicles, ensuring that their loads are secure and just like U.S. forces, checking their vehicles maintenance. Many drivers exhibit a sense of great pride in their vehicles, ensuring they are washed, fueled, and very clean. After vehicle checks are complete, Soldiers stand around and visit with other crews and friends. Often there is a lot of laughter and

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sharing through broken English or interpreters. While awaiting directions from 1245ths Soldiers, the Afghans will usually sit on the ground, spread a blanket out, and wait. Their lives appear to be very nomadic; they do not live in one area but move around all over the country. Afghans travel with all their bread, fruits and vegetables and are always looking for a dinner partner. Their diet primarily consisted of sheep, beef, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and bread. The

food is typically prepared in pressure cookers, and served as a stew or soup.

While Afghan culture is very different from that of America, the people are extremely kind and helpful; they are continually helping one another out on the road. They seem to live very simple lives not bound by a culture demanding materialistic belongings, a possible side effect of a tribal lifestyle. Over the last eight months, the 1245th Transportation brothers and sisters have performed exceptionally alongside their Afghans drivers with whom they have built great relationships. They continue to impress all with the respect they show to the Afghans. The 1245th Transportation Company Soldiers are setting the standard here in Afghanistan. Written By: 1LT Queton, Warren

joking and routine to throw around a football after all checks are complete. Afghans have taken an interest in 1245ths premission football game and are intrigued by how the ball spirals through the air. Some of the local drivers are between the ages of 14 and 15 years old, as relationships are built, they show a desire to interact and throw the ball around with the 1245th Soldiers. Most Soldiers encourage them to participate while friends stand guard and keep their distance. 1245th Soldiers are periodically invited for an Afghan meal, an interesting experience. Drivers invite Soldiers for a cup of chai tea; all sit around the trucks and sip tea while

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Expect the Worst, Hope for the Best..

As I walk through the gate to board the plane headed back to Hawaii I hear my
sons voice in the distance say Why is he leaving us mommy. Not being able to communicate often with my wife and son, sharing a bay full of males with minimal personal space (while sleeping in cots), eating belowaverage chow off of a MKT, working endless hours, all while being in an active combat zone, are just a few of my horrible expectations during pre-deployment preparation. My wife consistently attempted to persuade me that expecting the worse and hoping for the best was the correct mind set to have leading up to deployment. So I did just that and was she ever correct. By the way, I am SPC Vega, Peter and I am an intelligence analyst for the 524th CSSB S-2 shop. As I took my first steps into Afghanistan off of the plane it instantly hit me. It hit me hard and fast and unexpectedly. This it that I speak of was the 10-15 mph gust of 115 degree heat that gave me such a warm welcome into Afghanistan. Within 20 minutes upon arrival I was already tasked with a detail to watch weapons while the rest of the company went to unload bags. As I watched everyone work and move around in the cooking sun, I began to appreciate sitting there and watching those weapons just a little bit more then I normally would. However, I soon came to realize that getting acclimated to the weather was probably the hardest task that I would have to do within the next few months. Everything in Camp Marmal and about this deployment has exceeded my expectations by a long shot, so far. All those expectations I had during pre-deployment were helpful to build the right state of mind leading into a combat environment, but were absolutely incorrect. There has not been a day in which I have not spoken to my wife and son. I sleep on a comfortable mattress with about 6x6 feet of personal space, in which I own proudly, within fortified plywood walls. Not to mention the fact that I get sufficient sleep on that wonderful twin size mattress on a daily basis. The work load has started to become a lot less heavy as I continue to become comfortable with my role. Most importantly, I eat above-average chow three times a day.

PFC Peter Vega from Fort Meyers, Florida serving in the S2 of Task Force Hannibal

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My job duties allow me to get a better understanding of the culture of Afghanistan due to the fact that I conduct nightly interviews with local truck drivers. As a result of these interviews, I have gained a new perspective of the Afghan culture. Contrary to popular belief, the locals of Afghanistan are not too different from Americans. There are some cultural differences and norms; however, overall they simply work in order to support their families and loved ones just as the American culture does. Also, the combat environment is not as kinetic as I imagined. However, as the S-2 analyst I am obligated to condone complacency no matter the situation or environment in which you are in. From the outside looking in I would say that it appears that the 524th CSSB as a whole has transitioned well into command here in RC North. However, I would like to highlight the success and determination of the S-2 shop. For those that do not know what the S-2 shop is responsible for, I briefly give you a general understanding. The S-2 is responsible for collecting information on the enemy in order to provide security and intelligence to subordinate units and/or friendly forces. By giving accurate and relevant intelligence, it increases safety and situational awareness for operations outside and inside the wire. The 524th CSSB S-2 shop has been doing this with a rather unique composition of personnel. Our NCOIC, Sergeant Colon, Jennifer is an Electronic Warfare specialist, while our other intelligence analyst was originally a laundry service specialist. That leaves Captain Wilson, Timothy and myself as the only Intel qualified personnel for the shop. However, that has not hindered our capabilities, at all, to achieve our commanders intent or to provide support to our subordinate units. In my personal opinion, I think the S-2 shop has not only upheld but exceeded the standard bestowed upon us and is only the beginning of the strides we are taking in order to progress as a team. I am in no way too relaxed to forget about the importance of the mission, but I am grateful for the conditions and the outcome of this deployment up until this point. I encourage soldiers of all ranks to embrace this deployment and capitalize and the opportunities given in order to expand your horizon. Whether, that is professionally, educationally, spiritually, culturally, etc. There is ample amount of resources to progress in ample amount of ways during this deployment. Most of all stay alert and stay alive and from the words of our Battalion Commander, LTC James M. Droppleman, Do the right thing. And treat everybody with dignity and respect. SPC Vega, Peter

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Introducing Task Force Hannibals S6

One of the first rules in warfare is to take out communications
in order to cripple your opponents ability to control the battle field. During the Civil War the Signal Corps used flags and torches to communicate. The signalman would stand atop the high ground for all to see, signaling ground movements from the commander to the troops. Subsequently, he was usually among the first to be targeted. The Signal Corps has come a long way from flag and torch in the civil war, expanding to signal satellites afar. The one constant is that in combat we are always in the fight.

Caption describing picture or graphic.

Today we live in a time where multimedia communication is king. It would be difficult to find someone who doesnt e-mail, Skype, or use Social Media from a computer or a handheld device. The American Soldier is no different; however, instead of Skype, we Video Teleconference and instead of Gmail we use the Global Enterprise Network, but not even the Army can resist the force that is Facebook (search the 524th CSSB on FB)! The Signal Corps is one of the finest branches in the U.S. Army. We enable everyone in the army to communicate in order to accomplish their missions. Signaleers make it possible for other Soldiers to communicate on and off the battlefield. We can set up our own computer networks even in a deployed environment to communicate with those we hold dear back home. The S6 Soldiers of Task Force Hannibal are leading the way using all available methods of communication. Task Force Hannibals S6 shop is made up of eight Soldiers responsible for keeping the lifeblood of the battalion flowing throughout Regional Command-North, Afghanistan. SGT Houston Lister and SPC Shantia Williams serve the battalion as Signal Support Systems Specialist; they install, operate, and maintain designated radio systems providing technical assistance and training for communications equipment. SGT Lister and SPC Williams allow Task Force Hannibal Soldiers to maintain an important lifeline to battalion headquarters Inside while traveling on the Story road. Headline SPC Nakia Williams and SPC Breyanna Romero are Task Force Hannibals two Information Technology Specialists who maintain the battalions computer networks allowing personnel to send messages throughout Afghanistan. As the Army begins a major push to withdraw forces and equipment over the next eighteen months, CW2 Darren Duncan and SGT Brandon McDowell provide Sustainment Automation Support Management to the ever increasing retrograde mission. Finally, SFC Tyronn Green and CPT Frank Guizar lead the shop by providing purpose, direction, and motivation. These are the Soldiers who connect you your families via video teleconference. The Soldiers who link the war fighter to higher headquarters. The Soldiers who complete the phrase shoot, move, and communicate. You can talk about us, but you cant talk without us! We are the Army

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Task Force Hannibal Entertains The Daily Show

Task Force Hannibal troops stationed at Camp Marmal Afghanistan were

treated to a visit from the comedians representing Comedy Centrals The Daily Show. The day began with comedians Rory Albanese, Elliott Kalan, Adam Lowitt and John Oliver taking the time to meet and greet many of the Soldiers from HHC, 536th Support Maintenance Team, and 1245th Transportation Company. After getting the feel for the Armys body armor, the distinguished visitors were afforded a extraordinary opportunity to get hands on instruction from SFC Welsh on the Armys .50 cal, 249, and M4. Afterwards, 536th MST and 1245th TC were able to show off their vehicles, allowing members of The Daily Show cast and crew to explore an array of military vehicles. Rory Albanese immediately climbed strait up into the gunners turret, taking full advantage of a rare photo op. During the evenings performance, John Oliver joked about the oddities of Military life and the basic rules of living in Afghanistan. He left the crowd in tears and expressed his joy and thankfulness for the opportunity to bring a bit of laugher and relief to the troops based at Camp Marmal, Afghanistan.